Something Yellow

Missouri Spring by Linda Bratten

Today's share in the SAQA, Studio Art Quilts Associates, is Yellow.  I have just discovered that I really do not use much yellow in my projects.

Close up of Missouri Spring by Linda Bratten

This is my Missouri Spring quilt.  It was first shown in the "Call to Nature Art Show" in Jefferson City, MO.

It is a photo transfer of an original photo.  I then used free-motion quilting to thread paint the butterfly.  

Now I need to go create some yellow quilts!

Survive and Endure, a Photo Transferred Quilt that is Thread Painted

I am currently working on several programs for quilt guilds.  As I create samples, I get to have some fun with my machine. 

I just finished this piece, Survive and Endure.  It is for all of us who have overcome obstacles, but go on finding and sharing beauty with others. This monarch butterfly has a damaged wing, and yet it continues in its work and shares its beauty in the imperfect.

This is a photo transfer, done on my inkjet printer.  Then I thread painted the butterfly to make it stand out.

Would you be interested in learning how I do this?

What is Thread Sketchinq?

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Thread sketched female cardinal from my quilt, "Cardinal Fan"

One of my favorite techniques to encourage quilters to try is thread sketching.  While it may seem like a difficult technique, it is easy to learn using my training wheels to help you get started.

Thread sketched bib made for my granddaughter, Brinley.

Thread sketching is very similar to thread painting.  In fact the same techniques are used in both.

Thread sketching commercial fabric by Linda Bratten

While many use the terms interchangeable, thread sketching uses free motion quilting to enhance motifs on the quilt.  

Thread Painted Tree pattern from a book by Sulky

While thread painting is creating elements for a project purely out of thread.  

Thread Painted Swallowtail Butterfly, original design

While I enjoy both techniques, thread sketching is very similar to coloring with your sewing machine. It doesn't take as much thread or time as thread painting does.

Thread sketched and photo transferred quilt, Water Color Rose by Linda Bratten

Are you interested in finding out how I like to teach thread sketching?  Check out my video below!

I recommend practicing your thread sketching/painting by coloring fabric elements.  This way you can practice with out investing the creating time!

Thread sketching commercial fabrics using metallic threads by Linda Bratten

Thread sketching commercial fabric by Linda Bratten

If this is something you would like to try, be sure to check out my available thread sketching/painting patterns available in my online store. Click here to start shopping.

Daisy Delights available at www.LindaBrattenCreations.com

A block from the pattern, Falling in Love with Thread Sketching and Painting, available at www.LindaBrattenCreations.com

I am currently working on an online class to teach others how to thread sketch my pattern, Bronze Iris to create this fun wall hanging.

Bronze Iris by Linda Bratten

Close up of thread sketching of Bronze Iris by Linda Bratten

If you are interested in this opportunity, be sure to subscribe to my blog, Linda B Creative, where I will let you know when it is up and running.

 Planning my next post, 

Missouri Spring #2 Finished!!!

I am excited to share with you my finished piece, Missouri Spring #2!  I first shared my process of this piece on this blog post here. 

So I wanted to share a few of the additional things I did to finish the piece and then let you know how you can possibly own it.

First off, I created the Lilac Leaf Small Border Design, You can find the free tutorial using this link. 

Then I used various threads to quilt the background elements.  I have found that if I want to heavily quilt a feature on a quilt, I try to stabilize the surrounding areas with quilting first, especially on small pieces.  Then I can thread sketch/paint the featured item. I chose to outline quilt a few of the lilacs and the leaves.  This would allow the photo transfer to shine through, but not detract from the butterfly.

Once all the background was quilted, the fun began with the butterfly.  I liken this process to coloring in a coloring book, only using thread and a sewing machine! I used a light, medium and dark yellow-orange and thread sketched/painted the body parts.  I would travel to the next segment since I had planned on covering all traveling stitches with the black of the butterfly.

Next I add the orange and dusty blue marks to the butterfly. Then I outlined the wings and body with the black.  Finally, I used a dark brown to create the texture and highlight the thorax of the butterfly.

Now that the quilting was finished, I added a simple label created by diagonally folding a square piece of fabric.  I then baste the raw edges of the triangle to a lower corner of the quilt. These edges are then enclosed in the binding.

This gives me a spot to write the quilt label information and a small pocket to include my postcard or business card.  

Then I create 2 small sleeves and baste them by machine on the top of the piece.  I tack the bottom edges down by hand.  Once the binding is on, I can slip a dowel inside the sleeves and hang the quilt with just one nail in the wall.

This is what it looked like once it was finished.  I did add two rings to the back for those who prefer to hang the piece that way.

The finished piece is 12" x 12".  It is a donation quilt that I made to help support SAQA-Studio Art Quilt Associates. Funds are used to help provide venues to share, educate and display studio art quilts. This piece along with 442 others will be up for an online auction that starts on September 30-October 6, 2019. You can view all the quilts available by using this link.

Look for this banner to find out more about the auction.

This is where you can find my quilt and the others that are available, use the link above to go there.

This is a great way to support an organization that supports studio art quilts and to possibly own work from your favorite artist!  

Just giving you a heads up about the auction and what you might want to bid on!

Creating My Own Missouri Spring

Missouri Spring by Linda Bratten

I love it when everything outside starts to come to life in the Spring!

My favorite flower, the lilac, blooms during this time and the fragrance it emits brings joy to my days.  It is no wonder that I have chosen to use the lilac in many of my art quilts.  The quilt pictured above, "Missouri Spring", was created for an art show hosted by the Runge Nature Center in Jefferson City, Missouri.  It is an original photo that I transferred to some ready to print fabric using an inkjet printer. I then used free-motion quilting techniques to thread paint and enhance the motifs.

I enjoyed the process so much, I have decided to use another original photograph of a lilac and a swallow tail butterfly to create a 12"x 12" piece as an auction donation for SAQA, Studio Art Quilt Associates.  This is a non-profit organization that promotes art quilts through education, exhibits, professional development, documentation and publications.  You can find out more about SAQA at www.SAQA.com. The online auction will be held later this year.

Original Photo Used by Linda Bratten

I thought you might like a behind the scene look at how I am creating this piece.  First, I looked through my photos and found one that appealed to me.  I then used Adobe Photoshop to enhance the photo and get it ready for printing.

I use June Tailor Sew-In Colorfast Fabric sheets and my inkjet printer to transfer the photo to the fabric.  Next I add borders and create the quilt sandwich.  Since this was a square piece, I wanted an asymmetrical look to draw attention to the focal point butterfly.  I also used a green and purple fabric to leave the yellow color of the butterfly as the accent color and keep it as a focal point.

Missouri Spring #2

Now the fun part, deciding which thread colors to use.  I love using a polyester machine embroidery thread.  The polyester has a slight give as I am quilting. The weight allows me to build up and define where I like, and to recede into the background when necessary.

 On smaller pieces that I plan on thread painting the focal point of the quilt, I will actually quilt the outer portions first.  This will help to maintain the shape of the piece as thread painting can draw up the fabric.

As I was quilting this, I created a fun Lilac Leaf border motif.  I will share the tutorial later, but be sure to subscribe to my newsletter, Linda B Creative where I share all of my current tutorials, classes, presentations, and patterns. Use this Link to sign up!

Now off to finish the tutorial and this piece!

Find Beauty in Your Day!

From the Quilt, "Cardinal Fan"

This is a portion of a larger photo transferred quilt using an original photo of two cardinals.  I then used free-motion quilting and lots of thread to enhance the cardinals. I love to do this it is like coloring in a coloring book, only with thread and a sewing machine!

Would you be interested in learning this technique?  Let me know,

Head to the Hills, the Hill Country Quilt Guild of Kerrville, Texas!

This March, I was honored to share my love of Mixed Media Techniques for your Quilting and Sewing Projects with the Hill Country Quilter's Guild, in Kerrville, Texas.

There was about 112 members in attendance, eager to learn the different ways to use mixed media products to enhance their quilting and sewing projects.

It was such fun to demonstrate the techniques and share how I have used them in my projects.  Then the next day, I conducted a workshop, "Fall"-ing in Love with Thread Sketching and Thread Painting, using my original pattern.

The workshop participants used thread sketching and painting techniques, with my helpful "training wheels" to create this fun wall hanging.

"Fall"-ing in Love with Thread Sketching and Painting Traditional Fabric Choices

"Fall"-ing in Love with Thread Sketching and Painting Modern Fabric Choices

 

Participants really enjoyed the process and the feedback from them was great!

They were a fabulous guild to work with and I really enjoyed my visit to Texas! 

If you know of a guild or shop that would love to have me give a presentation or a workshop have them contact me through my website at www.LindaBrattenCreations.com.

The "Fall"-ing in Love with Thread Sketching and Thread Painting pattern will soon be available on my website.

May your bobbins be full!-Linda Bratten