Daily Blog

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Have a lot of red and pink scraps? Jen from Shabby Fabrics shows you how to create a quick and easy fabric wreath. Put this together in no time for Valentine's Day.

All you need is a wire frame and strips of fabric!
12" wire wreath frames can be found anywhere floral supplies are sold.
Total required fabric:
-If you are using yardage: 1.5 yards of fabric cut into 1"x7" strips
-If you are using fat quarters: 6 fat quarters cut into 1"x7" strips
-If you are using a Jelly Roll by Moda Fabrics: one jelly roll with the strips cut length-wise down the middle and then into 7" sections will give you enough strips to make 2 wreaths.

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This week we continue our exploration of line as it relates to design. When creating a composition, lines can capture the viewers attention by being expressive, creating a mood or a feeling. Understanding the way different types of lines give visual cues can help you as the artist communicate a message that can impact the viewer in a subtle, or not so subtle manner without a great deal of dialogue.

Below are words that we can associate with different types of lines and quilts that illustrate these meanings.

Vertical - Strength power, dignity, grandeur, authority.    
             

Horizontal - calm, relaxed, balanced, stability, constancy

Diagonal - excitement, movement, power, action, vitality

Open curve - organic, comforting, calm, relaxation

Closed curve - completness, the eternal whole, continual movement

Along with meaning, lines can also be expressive. Some examples of words associated with different lines we found at Sophia include:

Flat - Calm

Wide - bold strength

Gentle curve - unhurried pleasure

Sharply angled- Excitement, anger, danger, chaos

Image from Rebloggy

Practice Exercise: Using Line to Create a mood or feeling

In this exercise you will be making (5) framed line drawings using white sheets of paper.

Step 1. Making the frames         

Cut your paper to 8 1/2" x 8 1/2".
Using a pencil, draw a line 2" from one side of the paper. Repeat for all four sides of the paper.
You should now have a 'frame' drawn in the center of your paper that measures 4 1/2" square.
Carefully cut out the center square, leaving the opening 'frame' in your piece of paper.
Repeat with the remaining (4) sheets of paper.

Step 2. Preparing your line drawing foundations      

Cut your paper to  8 1/2" x 8 1/2".
Using a pencil, very lightly draw a line 1 3/4" from one side of the paper. Repeat for all four sides of the paper.
You should now have a 'frame' drawn in the center of your paper that measures 5" square. This center square will be your design area.
Repeat with the remaining (4) sheets of paper.
 

Step 3. Drawing your designs

Using only a black colored pencil, marker, torn or cut paper, create (1) line design (using lthe principles from the lesson) while staying within your lightly drawn square. Repeat with a different line design on each of the remaining (4) foundation pages.

Step 4. Evaluating your designs
Once you have completed your designs, cover each drawing with a frame. Compare how each drawing suggests a different feeling or mood.

Optional Exercise
Create frames using black construction paper.  Compare how a design changes when the overlaying frame is black vs. white.

Click here for more topics related to the Design to Quilt program.

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After you have learned about LINE in our Design to Quilt class this week. You'll want to visit these selections from the Road to California Art Abstract exhibit. Many of these quilts illustrate the concept of LINE as a design feature.

Click here for more topics related to the Design to Quilt program.

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Faith Jones at WeAllSew.com has a fun beginner-friendly project that you can make with your friends, children, or grandchildren. Here is a quick and easy tutorial to make a Lavender Sachet Heart Bunting. Just in time for Valentine's day, hang these hearts together as a decoration, or make them individually to bring the relaxing fragrance of lavender into your home.

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TQS Member, Linda Poole's Dad, a silversmith for Tiffany & Co. played an integral part in the making of this amazing trophy for 38 years.

To learn more go here.

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Will the Atlanta Falcons win?

FalconsQuilt - 36 Pieces Non-Rotating

FalconsQuilt - 100 Pieces Non-Rotating

FalconsQuilt - 289 Pieces Non-Rotating

FalconsQuilt - 36 Pieces Rotating

FalconsQuilt - 100 Pieces Rotating

FalconsQuilt - 289 Pieces Rotating

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Will the New England Patriots win?

PatriotsQuilt - 36 Pieces Non-Rotating

PatriotsQuilt - 100 Pieces Non-Rotating

PatriotsQuilt - 289 Pieces Non-Rotating

PatriotsQuilt - 36 Pieces Rotating

PatriotsQuilt - 100 Pieces Rotating

PatriotsQuilt - 289 Pieces Rotating

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To say I love taking classes is the understatement of the year!  Early in 2016 I decided to treat myself to Craft Napa 2017 – conveniently located 60 miles from home. Honestly it was very difficult to decide exactly which classes to take. They ALL looked so intriguing! Three days with three different instructors – BLISS. I thought it would be fun to share my work and what I learned.

Day 1:  Machine Quilting with Jenny K. Lyon

Imagine spending the whole day sitting in front of a BERNINA special edition 765 Rose Gold machine stitching away to your hearts content. Jenny had a plethora of tricks up her sleeves to help students grow their confidence at free motion quilting. I learned I LOVE bubble quilting and how easy it is to try different motifs with just a little practice. Practice, Practice, Practice! That is the name of the game.

Day 2:  Draw eight items eight different ways with Jane Lafazio.

We were instructed to bring 8 objects that related and then Jane taught 8 different ways to draw, paint and render it. It was a play date with my inner child. What I learned is that we can ALL draw, it is simply like learning to write cursive - a practiced skill. You might remember her Show 1903 – if you haven’t watched it check it out!

Day 3: UFO collage Class with Lynn Krawczyk.

We were instructed to bring the “uglies” or unfinished projects we were willing to sacrifice. We would then deconstruct and then reconstruct our pieces. I didn’t exactly follow the class supply instructions, because most of my uglies end up in the trash at home. As Libby Lehman taught me, “if it is butt ugly most likely it will always be butt ugly” (sorry, I just had to share). So I went to my Dupioni silks and decided to play with that. The colors are so vibrant and seductive I knew they would be fun to work with. Lynn gave us some simple instruction then set us loose. What I learned is that with just a little magic and a willingness to trust the process...yes process...your piece will come together. I was reminded it is about the process or the journey; that is what counts. I intend to explore more with my silk.

All in all, it was a very magical weekend that I will always hold dear to my heart. I cannot express how wonderful the whole experience was and intend to attend again. We ALL have something to learn and it’s fun to do so!