I was pretty certain I was not going to participate this month, especially since I was traveling out of the country when the challenge was announced. Then I saw the description and I really wanted to play - in part because of the subject matter and in part because of the chance to try the fracturing technique, something I have always admired but never attempted. So I started sketching a magpie on the way home on the airplane on Tuesday. Wednesday I created the design and figured out my piecing strategy and Thursday and today were sewing days. I am really glad I participated even though there are definitely things I would change if I had more time. It is a technique I will try again for sure. He is unquilted at this point but I will tackle that job tomorrow. My colors are blue, green and red with ecru added for the background. The bird fabrics are all my hand dyes and the background fabrics are commercial cottons. He is 25" x 16".
Posts
14 comments:
Lovely design and great fracturing of the magpie and background. I'm thinking maybe some more color in the background would make it appear more like he's a part of the outdoors rather than just on a stark white background? Since you're into dying, could you possibly dab on some colors in the different fractures to get more contrast?
Love the angularity of this - very magpie-ish: you have the stance and suggestion of movement just right!
I like that the magpie looks about to take off, and the colors used in his body. Neat!
Chris Predd
Thanks for the comments! I agree with Jan that the background needs something more. I think my first step will be to crop more closely to the magpie. Then, instead of paint or dye I think I will try either a) a couple of organza overlays or b) adding color and shading through quilting or c) both. The good news about creating something so quickly is that I have not invested much time so I am more willing to experiment!
your colors are wonderful. I feel like you have created an oragami bird. Amazing how the fracturing has created that look. Good work!
Good job on this Kathy.. I hadn't thought of paper-piecing as a form of 'fracturing'...
I love mag-pies, so this is special in my mind.
Thanks Carole,
Although I enjoy paper piecing, this guy was not done that way. He was pieced the old fashioned way. If you look closely I think you will see that it would have been very difficult to paper piece because of the multiple sequences - I would heve been working myself into a corner constantly. Instead I developed a method that is part Sharon Schamber, part Ruth McDowell and part "seat of my pants"!
Another great idea for fracturing. The magpie is great. I too feel a bit more color would have been nice in the background, as is though it's a great piece.
Sorry Kathy... as I do look closer I can see that it wouldn't have been easy. Good for you! Makes it all that much more special. And I do appreciate you pointing that out...
But, on that note... paper-piecing could be a 'fracturing' method, right?
I feel differently than others expressed here. I LOVE him against the fractured white background! I think your choices of white on white fabrics with just the one starkly simple rust 'perch' piece is stunning. It makes the bird supremely important in my view. I would like to see neutral quilting to keep it like this. Nice work
Cherie
This does have a paper pieced feel to it, but a much more complicated one. Your bird really stands out against the white background which I like.
Very cute - it would be interesting to do again with more than just the white background.
Hi Kathy...beautiful piece with the vivid colors you chose. It's very crisp and clean looking against the white background...like a stark winter.
Cynthia
Hi Kathy, this is very striking- I like the way you used a variety of white on white to make the background more interesting. Quilting will really make this piece come alive.
Post a Comment