For me, the beginning of every art quilt with a cyanotype is threadpainting the print. And as soon as that happens I become excited about how the print will look when it is quilted. It’s hard for me not to jump ahead imagining the great definition that the quilting will provide, the real puff of each leaf and flower, the color and texture that the quilting will add. For now, however, it’s time to stay in the moment and enjoy the process as it unfolds.
The print captured so much detail! Many of the veins of the leaves are clear and easy to stitch in. And the papery-thin flowers create such an elegant, wispy design.
This print is on China silk, approximately 20″ x 24″. I’m using silk thread. It is stabilized with Pellon Shirt Tailor, a fusible interfacing that works perfectly for this kind of work. Unlike the paper tear-away products that I use, the Shirt Tailor will remain on the back of the silk print. Because of this, I stop every few leaves or flowers and give the entire piece a gentle steam pressing. It’s important to me that the silk remains flat and true to size.
I finished sorting and organizing my green fabrics yesterday and in the process discovered a piece of silk fabric that I screen printed in a class with Kerr Grabowski in 2007. Kerr uses a method she calls Deconstructed Screenprinting. I think this small piece may find its way into this quilt.
For now its living with the other fabrics I’m auditioning. We’ll see what happens.
I love the process of Deconstructed Screenprinting. I did it several years ago with Jane Dunnewold. The patterning on the green piece is lovely. The stitching is looking good too.
I enjoyed the class a lot but I haven’t gone back to it. There is such a commitment to the process! I like the ability to create a print from start to finish in one day. Where did you take your class with Jane?
Over here in the UK. I’m ashamed to say I can’t remember how long ago it was. She is an excellent teacher. I loved it.
Aha. I have no doubt that she’s an inspiring teacher. I have thought I should get myself to San Antonio to take her class there.
Oh Franki, you won’t regret it. She is a lovely person too. I’ve met her a couple of times since then and to my amazement she remembered me,
This piece is so ethereal, so beautiful Franki! To imagine it paired with the deconstructed screenprint-divine.
I’d love to use that deconstructed piece! We’ll see. . .
The red in your screenprint reminds me of strawberries. 🙂
The cyanotype is lovely. I look forward to seeing your creation emerge. Such a treat!
That red is more of a rust color and with the way it smeared a bit across the silk it reminds me of the gate in my back yard which continues to drip rust, gently each year.
Love what you’re doing here, Franki! =D
Thanks Rita!