Hanging Out with Some Friends in Paducah

Sprouts on exhibit at the National Quilt Museum

Would you like to see an inspiring quilt show this summer? The famous Chicago School of Fusing compatriots exhibit begins July 15 at the National Quilt Museum in Paducah KY and extends through October 4.

Sprouts (detail)

We are fond friends who frequently find fusing fun.

Listen to this fantastic line up of artists:

• Frieda Anderson- the Dean of Technology and the Good Kind of Dyeing
• Jane Sassaman- the Dean of Sweetness and Light
• Judy Coates Perez- the Dean of the Talented and Tall
• Anne Lullie- The Dean of Festivities and Fun
• Emily Parson- The Dean of Knitting and Wit
• Little old me - The Dean of Corrections

Sprouts #2 (detail)

With something for everyone you are sure to enjoy the show (and the Museum Gift Shop ain't bad either). If you can, make an appointment to stop in at Caryl Breyer Fallert's studio or take a class at the museum.
Better yet. Call me and we'll all go together!

Have You Seen the View from Above?

There is nothing like a low flight over rolling farm land. It gives you an appreciation for the vastness of the earth and whole new perspective on the color green.

 From the dusty green of a field of oats to the deep green of oak trees on a fence line, the land is a sea of lush color. And have you ever seen such wonderful patterns carved into farm fields? Maybe they are quilters at heart!

Sprouts, Green Grass, Evening Greens, Moss Artfabrik colorways

As a dyer, seeing so many variations of green is entrancing. Can I translate what I see from the air into dyed fabric?  No. Not even close. Mother nature wins again!

How to Tuesday: How to Get a Grip on Your Art

T-Bird (before stitching)

When you make a composition  with your gorgeous fused fabrics keep this in mind: you need a variety of sizes of elements in your composition. Variety of size holds the viewers attention and keeps them looking at your masterpiece or in this case, a new quilt in process called T-Bird.

You can easily manipulate large fabric elements in your design. But those itty bitty pieces will drive you nuts. (Oh, so that explains it!)

Why not use a pair of tweezers to place little fabric pieces? These tweezers with the L shaped tip are perfect. Here the small fabric pieces are arranged as a flower unit on silicone release paper and fuse-tacked into place.

After the fabric cools, slide the tweezers under the flower unit and gently remove it from the paper. Now you can easily place it on the quilt top.

Tweezers are also a really handy tool for rearranging elements into different positions on the quilt top.  Here you see I am about to audition the placement of my bird.

Tweezers: they're not for plucking anymore!

Guest Artist: Why You'll Love This Colorful Clay

Quilt frame by Debra DeWolff

One of my favorite artists working in the non-quilt arena is Debra DeWolff. Debra is a Fimo artist who creates in bright colors and whimsical shapes. Here you see a little quilt frame she made for me years ago using Fimo clay and wire.  Isn't it adorable?!

After receiving the frame (measuring about 10" wide by 11" high), I made the quilt to match complete with a little rod pocket for her fanciful cross brace to hold the quilt.

Bracelet by Debra DeWolf (image by Larry Sanders)

Debra has a new blog/web site that you must visit. She is now making Fimo and felt jewelry in that same gorgeous color and pattern that makes you grin. Thanks, Debra, for making such beautiful art!

In Need of Inspiration?

Now that I live in the modern age I take photos with a thing called a "digital camera". That means I take lots of pictures and store them on a thing called a "computer". (You may be familiar with these technological wonders, but trust me, they are still a mystery to me!)

Having accumulated many many photos I occasionally look through them. And what happens?
I get inspired to make art! Here we have a stunning example of tile work on the floor of Bristol Cathedral. Those stone masons may have had sore knees and bad backs but they were experts at building pattern out of stone.

And what about this delightful setting at an artisan co-op in California? (Note the brick under the table leg. Apparently they did not have stone masons to help with their tiles.)

Here's a detail of a beautiful sculpture (sorry, I can't remember the artist's name). Now this person knows how to lay tile!

The point is: Any of these images can inspire you to make art and you don't have to be a brick layer to do it. So take a look through your old photos. I bet there is an image that triggers a quilt design for you!

Can This Quilt Be Saved?

Here you see the design wall of someone juggling too darn many quilts. True these are all small concoctions measuring at the most 17" x 17". And many are the result of playful abandonment with fused fabric scraps.

But it is apparent to all that this artist needs to focus!

The little quilts are in various stages of construction:

• Completed quilts in need of photography and documentation. 
• Quilts needing machine quilting. (I like a stack of quilts to work on when machine quilting. That way I can keep the same color thread in the machine and use it on several quilts before changing thread color. My efficiency amazes me!)
• Quilts in need of a good steaming so I can add hand stitchery. 
• Those that are steamed and need stitching. 
• Quilts in dire need of a border.
  

Currently titled: "Therapist Wanted"

 And then there are those quilts that have unresolved issues and need therapy. Any suggestions?

When Does Fabric Become a Book?

Facing down a blank sketchbook can be daunting. But in mid-January I hurriedly  filled out a sketchbook for The Sketchbook Project sponsored by the Art House Co-op in Brooklyn NY.  It seems I work best under pressure. The deadline was January 15.

The sketchbook is now part of the library's collection of artist made books and is on tour to various venues. It will be at the Hyde Park Art Center July 14 - 17 in Chicago. We must all go there.

Using my giant pile of fused fabric scraps, I wrapped the sketchbook pages with fused collages. Each of the fused pages has 4 pages of paper from the sketchbook folio inside. Some fabrics span between pages. Others wrap around to the next page.

The compositions on each page were improvised using the pre-fused fabric scraps. And as I progressed through the pages a theme began to emerge.

Fabric colors and shapes were repeated on pages to carry the story line of trees throughout the book.

I must admit I worked rapidly. Once you're on a creative roll it's hard to stop. Especially when you are making so many discoveries about working with new materials and a deadline looms.

Flipping back and forth between pages, I added new elements or color chips to help tie the story line together.

Soon the book became more quilt like than book like. It became a book in fabric form.

My only regret was the book cover. The rules of the Sketchbook Project were not all that clear and I wasn't sure if you could add fabric to the cover. So I stitched the title on the cover instead.

Random Acts of Fusing by Laura Wasilowski

This is a technique I'd like to explore further. It combines 2 favorite passions: fused art quilts and books. Imagine the possibilities!

Feel Like Flinging Some Fiber?

Ever get that urge to fling a little fiber? Then you may want to join me at the Crooked Tree Fiber Fling  August 6 and 7 in Peninsula OH.

When I want to have a fling with fiber, I always Stitch After Fusing, that way you know the quilt top is ready for hand embroidery. In this class, we make a fused quilt top (usually a flower arrangement of some sort) and then add hand stitchery to spice it up.

Or maybe you need a Tiny Home because yours is just too darn big and you're sick of housework! Then you'll enjoy the Tiny Homes class. Here you'll learn all about collage building, free-cutting, and building a neighborhood without the bother of zoning regulations.

So check out the Crooked Tree Fiber Fling and toss some fiber with me!

How to Tuesday: Serve Up a Little Color

Here we are trapped in our basement dye studio. And it's time to get a little color in our life. Here's how to dye the fabric.

• Mix Procion MX dye powder with hot water to make dye stock. Wear a dust mask and stylish rubber gloves for protection. Store the dyed stock in cute bottles.
• Pre-soak the fabric in soda ash water.
• Squish out the fabric.
• Arrange it artfully on a plastic platter or container.
• Pour the dye colors onto the fabric.
• Smoosh the color into the fabric using stylish yellow gloves on your hands.
• Go have a good meal, complain about the weather, and sleep for 8 hours.
• Wash out the fabric in your washer in 2 -3 wash cycles (really hot water for the last washing) to eliminate the left-over dye.
• Dry the fabric, iron it, and love the color!

A very informative book you should get.

If you'd like more detail on how to dye fabric I suggest a good book like Fabric to Dye For  by Frieda Anderson. If you don't want to dye the darn fabric and just want to love the color, check out Artfabrik!

Repeat after Me: Just Make the Art

Brushing Up #7

It's funny how people perceive their artistic abilities. Often, when I'm teaching a class on fused art quilts, a student will say "I'm not creative. I can't make art".

Brushing Up #7 (detail)

This is a feeling we all share at one time or another. But in my view no one is born creative. Creativity is something you can learn, practice, and nurture at any age.

• You learn about creativity by observing what's around you and pausing to really see and listen to the world.
• You practice creativity by making art on a regular basis, trying different things, improving your skills, and giving yourself permission to make mistakes.
• And you nurture creativity by feeding it with new sights and sounds and tools.

Brushing Up #10

These are things we have to remind ourselves of every day. So repeat after me: Just make the art, the rest will follow. 

Brushing Up #11

And now a little thumbs up for the technique of fusing to create art quilts. This is why I like fusing:

• It gives me the freedom to create what I observe without sewing seams. I  can make organic shapes easily.
• It lets me practice making art, lots of art, because it's a really easy technique.
• And it helps me nurture my artistic spirit by letting me make my art freely and easily.

Give it a try! Here's a few fusing tips to get you started.

Fusing in the Dark, What Are the Chances?

Little Bird on the Prairie #3

In another dramatic adventure of a traveling quilt teacher, we visit the Friendship Quilters of Linthicum, MD. During my evening lecture, a raging thunderstorm bellows outside. Suddenly all electrical power to the building is lost! The projector stops projecting slides of my riveting presentation and we are all in the dark.

It is very romantic.

But in true quilt making fashion, I realize the show must go on!

So lifting my battery operated lap-top computer high, I show the remaining slides of art work to the hidden audience. An occasional flash of lightening illuminates the room so they can see my smiling face. And as I sing my songs, people hold up their cell phones and sway to the music.

Small World #13

During a particularly loud thunderclap, I have a revelation!

Quilters are resourceful people. It's going to take more than a power outage to stop this group. Thank you Friendship Quilters for the big adventure! Hope your power is back soon!

Are We Thinking Clearly Yet?

Little Bird on the Prairie #13

A really good fortune from a fortune cookie can change your life. For example, my friend, Amy, keeps one in her purse that reads: "When in doubt, mumble". Now that's excellent advice to follow. Mumbling will save me from looking like a fool and save my voice at the same time!


Here's my fortune from a recent trip to a great Chinese restaurant with Amy during my visit to the Southern Comforters guild in Bowie, MD. It suggests that if I were to write more clearly, you'd understand what I'm thinking. (Good Luck! Even I don't have a clue as to what I'm thinking.)

But I do know that it was great fun visiting the Southern Comforters group. Not only do they have a great name for their guild, but their birds from the Fowl Play class were delightful! One student came up with this unique title for her quilt, "Kentucky Bourbon Wobbler". An apt description for the crazy birds they made. Thank you Southern Comforters for a wonderful visit!

Take It Easy and Grow Your Quilt Garden

Weezie's Wildflowers

Making art work is a lot like growing a garden. We delight in the colors and textures of our materials. And value the time spent on a seed of an idea that grows to a final harvest.

Or in my case, you learn to live with the weeds that conceal the seed of an idea and harvest what you can get.

Ann's Asparagus

This month I'm tending my stitched garden instead of my outdoor garden. I figure the plants will grow whether I tend them or not. But a quilt does not itself make.

Watering Can, a free pattern for you.

Now here's something to get you in the gardening / stitching mood. With any purchase from the Artfabrik website during the month of June, we'll send you this free Watering Can pattern. It's our way of wishing you a joyful art / gardening experience.

And you can stay inside and be bug free.

When You Are Fried by Lightening

Illinois Trees #9

About 2 weeks ago giant thunderstorms roared through our area. And like a blaring sign from heaven, a huge lightening bolt struck our 100 year old Norway pine. The tree lives within 2 feet of the house and now has a long jagged scar.

Illinois Tree #6

Standing in the house, near a window facing the tree, my personal electrical system experienced quite a jolt too. But the jolt to the house electrical system (through the gutters) was a little more severe. The lightening took out several appliances, computers, TV's, and the air conditioning unit. They were fried!

Illinois Tree #3

Seeing this huge old tree being hurt reminds me of how much I love a handsome tree. This series of Illinois Trees was found in my archives safe from harm.

Illinois Tree #7

After a week of repair people trotting through the house and several trips to the computer store, we are almost back in business. The biggest problem now is that every time I hear a loud noise I panic like a squirrel in cross traffic. Guess my electrical system is fried too.

Retreat to Art Quilt Tahoe and Find Fusing Freedom!

Prairie Breeze

I am so looking forward to Art Quilt Tahoe in early November. Sure it's the middle of June but doesn't a cool autumn day in a beautiful setting sound appealing right now?

House on the Hill

The thing about Lake Tahoe is that the scenery is beautiful and inspiring. You'll find that both the air and the quilters at Art Quilt Tahoe are fresh and clean. A retreat to Art Quilt Tahoe is like playing in the park on a lovely autumn day with a bunch of friends.

Three Sisters in the Wind

So why not join me for a few days of fun at Art Quilt Tahoe? You'll make your own original art in my Fuse and Tell class and enjoy the setting at the same time. It's a great way to get away from it all, play with friends, and enjoy some time with Mother Nature (who is very fresh and clean).

How to Tuesday: Cutting a Spiral Shape

Cutting a spiral fabric shape makes you feel like you are the Master of Fabric. You are in control! And as the Master of Fabric you will soon see it is really easy to cut a spiral. Here's how.

Begin with a fused swatch of fabric that is slightly larger than the spiral you want to make. Try a 3" square for your first spiral. Free-cut a large circle of fabric using sharp scissors.  Beginning at the outside edge of the circle, cut a strip of fabric about 1/2" wide following the curve of the circle.

Continue cutting until reaching the center of the circle. Always keep the width of the strip about 1/2" wide.

Now return to the outside edge of the circle where you first started cutting. Cut down the center of the strip.

When you get to the middle of the circle, snip the 2 strips apart to form 2 spirals.

You can cut spirals from other geometric shapes by using the the same process as above. Just follow the outside edges of the shape and work your way into the center.


For some reason, spirals always remind me of crazy cartoon eyes. Alas, another sign of a misspent youth.