Step By Step

There are two immutable laws that affect every project I attempt – I can’t draw and I can’t follow directions.  I must find my own way.  My first task is to turn the small photograph into a line drawing, approximately 60” x 72”.   I can trace a small drawing from the photo and Photo Shop it into the desired size, or enlarge the photo and use the result to make a full-size drawing.  I chose the second option.  This worked very well for the building with its distinct geometrical lines, but the landscape is a blur.   Look at this picture – too much information, if you can read it.  Maybe that’s why Cynthia England didn’t even mention enlarging the photo as an option.  Do you think?  

So, I made a small line drawing, adjusting for the new rectangular shape and cutting out some of the foliage to show more of the building.   I have some concerns about the composition and will be consulting with my mother-the-artist this weekend.  Sorry it's hard to see; it's still in pencil.  

It is never too soon to start collecting fabric, and I have a few already.    I’m not committed to any of them yet, but I’m in love with this pond water batik.

Architectural quilts are among my favorite types of projects.   It all began some ten years ago when a friend and I took a class from Freddie Moran.  Freddie was then in vogue for her brightly colored house quilts.  (See a picture of her book Freddie’s House on Amazon.)  I never use bright colors and went to the class only to sew houses for my friend.  I amused (annoyed?) everyone by announcing, “These bright colors are giving me a headache!”  But by the end of the day, I had begun asking myself, “Why don't these homes have garages?  Where are the people, the animals, the street scenes, the landscaping?”  Before the week was out, I was sewing brightly colored houses for myself.  The result is this quilt, “Community” which won a blue ribbon at the Nevada State Fair and a People’s Choice award at a local show.  Since then, I’ve been working toward ever more sophisticated houses.


Can you find the postal cluster box? the fire truck? the duck pond? the airplane? Betty Boop? three cats and one very large fly?
Until next time…