Pat Durbin

This week we will begin a New Year, a New Decade, and a New Quilt!

The working title is: Pathway to the Forest.

Hear I’ll show you the way I start.

1st– I select a picture – that takes some computer time digging through the archives of our many photos.

2nd– I decide on the size.  In this case I’m starting with about 35 x 45″ – I can alter that smaller as I go if desired.

3rd–I cut and mark the foundation grid.  I use Pellon 820

I also cut newsprint to go under the foundation – and choose a transparent grid to go over the picture.  These things give me the “map” I will use to enlarge and create the picture out of fabric.

4th–Then I pull out bags of squares already cut – in the colors that I expect to need.  I’ll cut more as needed.  At this point I’m trying to decide whether to use the small (1/2″) or larger (1″) squares….what do you think?

 

 

 

 

As you may know, I’m getting ready to move a bunch of quilts over to the Morris Graves Museum of Art for an exhibit.  I thought some of you might be interested in how I store my quilts that are not on display. 

Because most of my quilts will hang on a wall, I like to avoid folding them.  Creases will show where they are folded.  (Probably my quilts more than most because of the construction with many tiny pieces of fabric that are densely quilted.)  Anyhow, here’s an example of how I roll.  The pool noodle to the left is shortened for a smaller quilt.  The roll on the right is about 48″ long.  Both quilts that are rolled on it are narrower in one direction or the other  Newport Belle is 78″ wide by 43″ long – Dogwoods is 31″ wide by 80″ long.  I roll the quilts with the narrow dimension and usually roll the front side in.  As you can see the labels on the back of the quilt show, which helps identify which quilts are on the roll.  I tie them with salvage strips saved from fabric.

Then the quilts are stored in my studio closet on shelves…or they are put in a long box to ship to a show.

I am making a landscape quilt – I found this fabric, it seems fitting, but a bit too bright.

I decided to try to darken it a bit – this is what I did:

First I backed part of the fabric with freezer paper – this will stabalize it and provide a water barrier. 

I chose Black, Prussian Blue, and Dark Hauser Green, along with a transparent extender.  I spritzed the fabric with water so the paint would be loose.  I used a sponge to spread the paint and then kind of wiped up the extra paint. 

This is the result – showing the difference between the painted piece and the original color. 

We’ll see how well it works as my project progresses.

I’m excited for this opportunity coming up in April/May

It took me several days into the New Year to put away all of the quilts and decorations from Christmas celebrations.  I enjoy having some new and some old worn things around me while I enjoy the Christmas season.

The large nativity set is all packed up in the stable.

The quilts are stacked to be put in the closet.

I’m finally ready to move on to the new year. 

Hope yours is fruitful.