You may remember that I posted this work-in-progress in March. It sat on my design wall for more than four months; we stared at each other without speaking and I can tell you that it got pretty boring. Finally, yesterday, it spoke. It told me it wanted to be bigger. I had kind of been waiting for that statement but wasn't about to impose my wishes on it.
So last night, I got to work. And after a little surgery here and a little there, we're making progress. I don't think it really looks any larger in the photograph, which is somewhat deceiving -- but trust me - it is. 
Nothing, of course, is set in stone. Far from it. It may have several other permutations before I am done, but I know that it is on its way. The fabric has spoken!
When I taught my class last week in Jump-starting the Art Quilt, the students wanted to know what my process was. You're looking at it -- and I suspect it is not much different from yours. Or is it?
6 comments:
I like what you've done to this.
It's interesting what you say about process, because I've been learning to do what you describe with my journal quilts. It's very different from what I learnt in City&Guilds, which was basically to do the design (with lots of samples along the way) and more or less have it all mapped out before starting it. But I think I work your way better. It's much more exciting too!
Liz, having something mapped out ahead of time is impossible for me. How can you ever know where the piece can take you if you plan it??
I did this once and I was so bored by the time I had planned the piece that I never made it; it had been made in my head and I was done with it.
I agree, Rayna - if something's already planned out right to the end then where's the point in making it? I've done it already - it's stale and flat. There are times when I woudl LOVE to be able to work like that but it just doesn't happen.
I've been pondering some of these questions myself lately and have even commented about my difficulties on my blog. I can have a plan, but the finished product has little or no resemblance to the original plan. Could actually use the same plan over and over again without producing similar results.
I've something on my design wall that I've been waiting to speak to me. Instead, it more or less disappeared, totally incommunicado; I can look at it and not even see it. The invisible quilt top... Maybe I'm afraid to listen. Afraid to commit to any of the embellishments, to the placement, to whatever.
on those rare occasions that i start with a plan it very rarely looks remotely like the concept. which is fine with me. if i already know what it will loook like there;s no point in doing it as far as i;m concernec.
having siad that i do know many people who work that way and it works for them. we have to DO what works for us!
claire
When the fabric speaks, we have to listen--esp. when we've stepped away from a project for a while. Then its voice is clearer than it was before.
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