Freckles 24.5 x 35"
With about a week and a half until we hang the Fiber Arts Options exhibition at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, I have finished quilting my last orchid piece. I’m calling it Freckles. I still have to face it and stitch on the label, but it is done!
Here is a detail shot:
And I am loving the new #15 foot for my Bernina. I have been using the clear plastic free-motion foot (#29), and really liked it. After about six years of heavy use, and I broke through my original plastic foot and had to get a new one. But several of my quilting friends urged me to try a metal foot, so decided to give one a try. This one has a bigger loop than the regular darning foot, so I can see where I’m going better, and I think it will hold up better under the heavy-duty quilting I do!
Here’s a recap of my pieces for the show (from top left: Purple Phalaenopsis, Freckles, Pink Phalaenopsis, and Ruffles). Which one do you like best, and why?
Posts
Wonder-bar!
ReplyDeleteI can't choose a favourite. They are all beautiful! How did you do the stitching? Looks almost like you used a double needle for pintucks.
ReplyDeleteteri
No double needle... I don't even have one! :-) Just free-motion quilting.
ReplyDeleteyour work is really incredible!! beautiful & full of life!
ReplyDeleteI think that Freckles shows the strongest value contrasts and thus greater depth. Ruffles draws the eye in due to the texture and the intense stitching. They will make a very strong grouping for your show. Such a lot of hard work!
ReplyDeleteIt is so gorgeous! I'm sure it will be a star of the show.
ReplyDeleteI love them all! Great companion pieces, but if I had to pick one, it would be "Freckles." I'm not sure why, maybe just my favorite color. Hope to see these in person!
ReplyDeleteSusan, these are just stunning! It is very difficult to choose one favorite. If I have to choose one, I'll say it is Purple Phalaenopsis for several reasons. Purple and all of it's gradations is my favorite color. You shared your frustrations and solutions with us as you were making this quilt and you spoke openly about what it feels like to ask for and receive a critique of your work. That was especially important to me because many artists don't share that part of the process and it surely was helpful to us "trying to emerge" artists. To me, your willingness to share that part of your feelings as you are making a quilt makes you even more of a pro than you already are! I can't wait to come and see all of the quilts person!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! So awesome. I absolutely love the one you named Freckles, probably because of the depth and varied colors. However, they are all absolutly stunning. They will be the star attraction of the show. I wish you well.
ReplyDeleteBecky, I'm glad you've found it valuable to read about my feelings and frustrations. I think a lot of bloggers think that their readers don't want to hear them whine, or to read anything unpleasant. It helps me to write down what I think and feel... it's part of the way I process my emotions.
ReplyDeleteThese are all beautiful. Just amazing! Your work is awesome. My favorite is Freckles. When I look at the four of them, I just keep being drawn to Freckles. Love the color.
ReplyDeleteDarlis
The stitching on that is absolutely beautiful. I have the special free motion foot for mine, need to practice with it some more.
ReplyDeleteDebbie
Gorgeous! Love the stitching!
ReplyDeleteOMG! They are a knock out as a grouping. You really have a gift. I am most fond of Freckles and Pink Phalaenopsis. Your stitching on Freckles is exceptional as it's function creates the freckles. Superb work Susan.
ReplyDeleteAgain, these are parts of an amazing experiment.
ReplyDeleteMy favourite is the pink one. It feels like real. And I love the color!
these orchids are just out of this world!! I have been following along and am amazed!!
ReplyDeleteOn another note I finally got your pattern Petal Play have been dreaming about it since it came out and now have it.. it will be my 2011 project! thanks so much
I love the texture of "Freckles", but I am also drawn to "Purple Phalaenopsis". They are all amazing. I love the main idea of being so close to the flower that the texture is the subject and the framing turns it into an abstraction.
ReplyDeleteLove them all, but I'm more drawn to the ones with pink or purple colours than the yellow one.
ReplyDeleteLove it...it looks in motion..kinda waving at me
ReplyDeleteGorgeous, gorgeous. And I just now cracked open the new Quilting Arts and saw your new article, well done, you!
ReplyDeleteMy color preference is the pink ones, but they are all so beautiful. I love the contrast in the yellow and orange one. They look like a lot of fun to work on. I hope you enjoyed the process.
ReplyDeleteSusan, this quilt is a super show winner! I love it. Absolutely beautiful. Great design, fabrics, colors, & quilting. Just pops out at you with great delight. You did a fantastic job! Can't wait to see it up close in a show!
ReplyDeleteSewCalGal
www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com
EEEK! It's lovely!
ReplyDeleteAll of the quilts are beautiful, but my favorite is Pink Phalaenopsis. I really like your use of negative space in that one.
ReplyDeleteWow!!! These are all beautiful!!! They are an inspiration for me to work on my free motion quilting! I am so glad I came across your blog. I will be visiting frequently! Thanks! Sarah
ReplyDeleteThat's nearly an impossible question, but my answer is Freckles. It has great contrast (edges of the petals), wonderful texture (so does the orange flower) and rich lovely colors. It has everything going for it...not to mention the incredible stitching ! The Purple Phalaenopsis is a close 2nd.
ReplyDeleteI'm drawn most to Pink Phalaenopsis because I love the drama of the black negative space. For emotional reasons, though, Freckles is a close second because that was the name of my beloved Dalmation growing up.
ReplyDeleteAnd, thanks for the heads up about the #15 foot. I'm going to have to go out and get one.
These four pieces are all quite lovely. I love the white edges on "Freckles" and how they make the individual flowers stand out, but doubt I could choose between it and "Pink Phaleanopsis" as my favorite of the four.
ReplyDeleteYOur blog is beautiful. your ads are not.
ReplyDeleteLizzie,
ReplyDeleteI'm assuming that by "ads" you mean the things I have running down my sidebar to tell people that I've done a DVD and a book, and where my work has been published, etc.?
If so, I guess I'd just say that my blog is my public face to the world, and I make part of my living through my quilting. It is how I am helping to pay for my kids' orthodonture, our heat, food and clothing, and savings to send my kids to college.
Marketing is certainly not my primary focus... I love blogging because I get to meet great people who love art and quilting, because it helps me think through ideas and document my work, and because I love the sense of community it creates.