Full View
Finally I am able to share images of my Seasons Challenge with you. Machine Quilting Unlimited magazine invited me to submit a piece for the challenge months ago but we were given strict orders not to show the completed piece to anyone until the magazine was published. Twelve artists were selected with three artists for each season; I was given fall. The only requirements were the size, 24"w x 18"h and it needed to have machine quilting. Needless to say, I was totally surprised, thrilled and so honored by the invitation.
Detail View
I made the outer border using the tissue fabric technique (visible on the left in photo above). Thin cotton, gel medium and then lots of scraps of tissue, candy wrappers, lace, newspaper, fabric and whatever else I could find that had text or texture. I applied another coat of gel medium and let it dry. I dry brushed paint in several colors over the surface and let it dry again.
The border to the right or next to it is commercial fabric. Next to that is a small border of digitally printed and burned lutradur.
The fabric behind the leaf is also digitally painted with a leaf image digitally stamped onto the surface. That's what I used for my leaf design. I extended the lines of the leaf beyond the printed image, laid a piece of polyester organza over it and stitched over the lines. When I was through stitching, I burned through the organza.
I created the heavily stitched small leaves by stitching on water soluble stabilizer in a hoop. Next post I will have photos of how I did this.
All of the Seasons Challenge quilts can be seen in the May/June 2012 issue of Machine Quilting Unlimited. The magazine is available at larger Barnes and Nobles and Joann's Fabrics. Here is a link to the Machine Quilting Unlimited website: www.mqumag.com
The Eleven other artist who participated are: Sue Reno, Heidi Zielinski, Patty Hawkins, Patricia Anderson Turner, Eileen Doughty, Roxane Lessa, Carol Ann Sinnreich, Lea McComas, Patt Blair, Kate Themel and Kathie Briggs
