2017 Technology and Quilting Quilt Show

Let's face it technology has changed a lot in our lives.  Some changes are for the better and others many of us can live without.  It has greatly impacted the sewing and quilting industry.  Our machines are computerized, we share design files and patterns electronically, and even print our own fabric using our home computers.  Sometimes it may seem difficult to keep up with all this changing technology.

I like to look at it as opportunities to express my creativity differently.  One way in which I use technology to create quilts is to create photo transferred quilts with my home computer.  Digital cameras have opened up a love for photography that I had never been able to explore before, due to the cost of developing the film.  Now I can be selective, and only print what I really want to work with.

I love being able to take photos and edit them in Photoshop to create a unique and appealing piece.  Then using my inkjet printer, I create the fabric that becomes a focal point of my wall hangings.  Without technology, this would not be possible.

That being said, the Daniel Boone Regional Library in Columbia, MO is currently hosting a Technology and Quilting Quilt Show through April 15th.  I am honored to say that ten of my photo transferred quilts were selected to be on displayed at this show.  In addition to photo transferred techniques, computerize embroidery, computerized applique, and computerized and free-motion long-arm quilted quilts are on display.

On Saturday, April 1, 2017, from 1:30- 2:30 pm, at the Daniel Boone Regional Library in Columbia, MO, there will be a special presentation about this exhibit.   Mindy Smith, the curator of the library's annual quilt exhibit, will talk about the history of computer technology in quilt design and stitching, including how the innovative Statler Stitcher, a computerized long-arm quilting machine invented by Columbia resident Paul Statler, has played a role. Mr. Statler will tell us how he started and show a video of how his machine works. You’ll also find out how the technology behind production quilting has made the Quilts of Valor project feasible. Mindy will illustrate the tremendous variety of techniques used in computerized design and stitching with a quilt trunk show.

They used my Bronze Iris in the show's program!

After this presentation, there will be a tour of the quilts, and it will start in the lobby of the library.  I want express thanks to the Daniel Boone Regional Library Foundation for funding this event.

Here is a sneak peak!

This is a great opportunity for you to see how technology has influenced the industry. Hoping to see you on Saturday, Linda

My Art Quilts at the Daniel Boone Regional Library Quilt Exhibit-Art Quilts

I’m so excited! This weekend I received notification that three of my quilts have been selected to be in the Daniel Boone Regional Library 2016 Quilt Exhibit-Art Quilts.  The show will open April 2^nd and run through the 16^th at the Daniel Boone Regional Library in Columbia, Missouri.

 

The quilts that were selected are: My Fantasy Garden,  Blue Pansies, and Peacock Passion.
 Check out this fun video about my entries!

My Fantasy Garden was created to showcase my nature inspired quilting motifs that I teach online and at other venues.  It is a whole cloth quilt that is machine quilted using my home machine.  After the quilting was complete, I went back using a variety of textile and acrylic paints to enhance the quilting.  I love to thread sketch with my sewing machine.  This piece has become one of my favorites because of the colors and the designs used.

Photography is an important element in my work. In this case it became the piece. I used Adobe Photoshop to create a water color effect of my original blue pansies photograph. Next I printed the image onto fabric. The quilt top was pieced together by machine. Next came the fun part, using my home sewing machine I quilted the piece using a variety of threads. It was like coloring in a color book, only with different mediums. I really enjoy photo transfer as it lets me be creative in what I love to do the most, machine quilting.

My Peacock Passion piece was for a local sewing store’s challenge to use 3 things found in a hardware store in your project. I began by sketching a peacock and then painted the peacock on silk. Then using fabric folding techniques I created water lilies to enhance the border fabric. I machine embroidered the thread peacock feathers and used beads, ribbons, trims, and a peacock feather to further embellish the project. It is machine pieced, and machine quilted on the home machine. The three items from the hardware store are: washers, gold spray paint, and permanent markers. All were use to create Chinese coins to embellish the piece.

This exhibit features art quilts created by area artists, and on April 16^th they will have a tour of the exhibit guided by some of the quilt artist.  This will start in the lobby at 2:15 pm. After the tour, there will be refreshments outside the Friend’s Room preceding a presentation about the Big Muddy riverscape quilt. . The quilt show is curated by Mindy Smith, quilt artist and CEO of the Boonslick Trail Quilters’ Guild and funded by the Daniel Boone Regional Library Foundation.

So if you are in the area stop in and check out my pieces!-Honored to be included, Linda