Green is Good
20" x 15"
Ecology in flag form.
I used a distorted rectangle shape for this piece resembling the American flag. Commerical and hand dyed cotton fabrics, curved piecing, fused applique, machine quilting with cotton thread, quilt edge is zigzag stitched twice around, a few glass beads added, then painted the back of the quilt with a glue/water solution and formed curves and let dry. I hung it using Command Strips (removable zelcro type picture hangers)
This was quick and fun. I'm not very political, so I was surprised this came out of me. I do care about the environment, recycling, global warming, etc. I guess that's what it's about!
I'm interested in your comments, suggestions, questions or just a hello!
Cynthia
Posts
10 comments:
I like your flag very much Cynthia. Whether intended or not, it makes a great statement for ecology. I love the feeling of waving in the breeze. Job well done.
Cherie
This is really a neat piece. I love your idea of the glue/water solution to keep it in place. How come I never thought of that?
Betty
I love the unexpected-ness of this quilt! I'm not a real flag waver either, and I know my brain expected to see the old red-white-and-blue with stars and stripes, so this was a "wow" factor when the colors and style of this hit my eyeballs.
Can you tell us more about the glue and water? I have an idea for a shaped quilt, so I'd love to be able to do something besides heavy starch!
Good job!
Wendy
I don't usually like art made for some political statement either, but I love this quilt. It makes me feel happy. The shape and colors make me think of ocean waves, ripples in the sand, and star fish. Or is it supposed to be grass, sky, and flowers? Either way it's beautiful.
I want to reach out and touch this quilt! Please do share more about using glue to get the dimension here. I also found the machine quilting quite impressive. I didn't immediately see it as a political statement - rather I saw an unique twist on a flag format.
Thank you all for your nice comments. The glue and water process: I mixed 50% Elmers glue and water and painted it thinly on with a sponge applicator to the edges and back of the finished quilt. That stiffens it enough to form and hold the shape. Left it to dry undisturbed overnight. It's only slightly stiff when dry. If you want it stiffer, use more glue than water and paint the front, too. A friend of mine uses this alot and has some pieces that are stiff as a board using this technique....very artsy, less quilty.
Cynthia
Well done- I like both the political sentiment, and the way you interpreted it. And, your quilting is impressive.
I'll have to remember the Elmer's glue trick for future projects--
Hi Cynthia,
Very interesting piece. It's funny how some ideas just come out and make themselves sometimes isn't it?
I love the glue idea. Are there any long-term issues in using glue in this manner? I love the color scheme, and the machine quilting is fantastic.
I like the way the flower shapes stand out against the background, but I think it would be nice to add a little bit of beading or something in the background as well, maybe echoing the shapes of the flowers?
I really enjoy seeing your work and look forward to the next piece.
Brenda
It's nice that the piece is political in a polite way, not in-your-face. The distorted rectangle shape is very eye-catching. Exquisite quilting job. I would have been nervous to cover it with glue but it turned out great.
Hi Cynthia - I think this little quilt is a delight. I like the mix of greens and blues and then that little subtle touch of purple. Nice. I think the varieties of quilting you used create great texture and really add to the beauty of the piece - along with the curves and shaping.
Roberta
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