New Challenge

Our new challenge word is texture.  Check back periodically for updates on member's progress. And be sure to visit on

September 15 when finished work is revealed.

tex·ture

noun, verb, -tured, -tur·ing.

–noun

1.

the visual and especially tactile quality of a surface: rough texture.

2.

the characteristic structure of the interwoven or intertwined threads, strands, or the like, that make up a textile fabric: coarse texture.

3.

the characteristic physical structure given to a material, an object, etc., by the size, shape, arrangement, and proportions of its parts: soil of a sandy texture; a cake with a heavy texture.

4.

an essential or characteristic quality; essence.

5.

Fine Arts .

a.

the characteristic visual and tactile quality of the surface of a work of art resulting from the way in which the materials are used.

b.

the imitation of the tactile quality of represented objects.

6.

the quality given, as to a musical or literary work, by the combination or interrelation of parts or elements.

7.

a rough or grainy surface quality.

8.

anything produced by weaving; woven fabric.

–verb (used with object)

9.

to give texture or a particular texture to.

10.

to make by or as if by weaving.

---

Origin:
1400–50; late Middle English < Latin textūra web, equivalent to text ( us ) (past participle of texere to weave) + -ūra -ure

—Related forms

tex·tur·al, adjective

tex·tur·al·ly, adverb

tex·ture·less, adjective

non·tex·tur·al, adjective

non·tex·tur·al·ly, adverb

re·tex·ture, verb (used with object), -tured, -tur·ing.

sem·i·tex·tur·al, adjective

sem·i·tex·tur·al·ly, adverb

un·tex·tur·al, adjective

 {definition by dictionary.com]

Through the Eyes of my Heart

Our word this time was "Departure" and my work fits the word in three ways. It is 16 x20 horizontal this time instead of vertical; it has very simple wavy lines for background quilting instead of my usual more ornate stuff; and I elected to make it a tribute to my kitty Harry who recently died very unexpectedly at the tender age of 4. The eyes, you will notice are a sort of hybrid...part human; part feline. There is a poem by an unknown author handwritten in the background very faintly. The quilting is very simple, I wanted the eyes to be the focus of the piece.

It is a painted wholecloth, using Tsukineko inks for both the background and the image. I used Quilters Dream "Puff" batting, and Superior's "So Fine" threads.

You can read and see more details on my blog

Departure

As much as I tried to convince myself to do so, I could not depart from my underlying symmetry theme! Instead I chose to pursue another aspect of symmetry: bilateral symmetry. I added an additional limitation of working only with 3" equilateral triangles. Every piece of fabric is cut from the same size triangle that had to blend with 2 neighboring fabrics. "Challenge" was a great word for this one!

You can see some detail photos on my blog.

Departure

I have always traveled. Even as a child. Being an "Air Force Brat" our family departed and arrived all over the country and sometimes outside of the country. "Departure" for me always has an aircraft image within it's definition.

I had started out on a different path...text...and had actually taken a drive to the airport to photograph what I thought would be my "departure" plan. As I worked on this imagery I kept thinking of an aircraft...not a word. So I abandoned this tack and changed course.

At the moment I am taking a drawing class at my local art center. It seemed to me appropriate to craft my aircraft by drawing it with my sewing machine needle and thread.

Departure of the Sun

 Departure of the Sun 16" x 20"

I had lots of ideas for the word Departure but it was this piece of fabric that determined the quilt I would make. It has a lovely spot in the dye that reminds me of the setting sun. I realized that I have only seen a sunset like this in my life a few times. I'll have to work on that. 

You can see more photos of this quilt and another Departure themed quilt on my blog.

a good life

My piece is constructed of vintage blocks which were stitched, painted white with artist's gesso and then watered down acrylics.

This is a traditional three layer quilt consisting of a top, batting and backing. The flowers are painted silk organza and were stitched to the top after quilting.

I saved the tattered vintage blocks from departure and gave them

a good life.

You may view more details regarding this piece by visiting my blog.

Departure reveal - 'Off The Grid'

Sliced, diced, painted and more. Not sure about this one but it is a departure for me. See more on my blog here.

Patina

My "departure" piece is called Verdigris.  It measures 18 inches square (one departure from our norm), it contains all light colored surface designed fabrics (another departure for me), and it features overall quilting, an additional departure from my usual method of quilting.

See more photos and additional info on my blog.

Secret Garden

For my first "Departure" quilt, I made one from hundreds of tiny pieces totally on the sewing machine ... not a hand stitch on it! After pinning it to the wall and staring at it for a month, I decided that it just wasn't "me!" No texture at all. So .... I choose do something I had been wanting to learn how to ... nuno felting.

This quilt consists of 6 pieces of nuno felt and a small length of commercial rose ribbon. The process was fun, but awful hard on a body with arthritis! At least I've learned that felting is probably not an art I will pursue very often!

Approximately 16x20 - Merino wool, burned silk, hand-dyed scrim and cheesecloth, sari ribbon, wool yarn, silk embroidery ribbon, rose ribbon, glass beads, buttons, upholstery trim, Perle cotton and rayon embroidery threads, wool felt and cotton batting. Hand-embroidered and hand-quilted.

A True Departure: Whole Cloth

Yay, I am back, and the piece is finally photographed.  I wish the texture showed up better, but that may happen after it is washed and the batting shrinks a bit.

My piece is untitled, but a true labor of love.  I designed and drafted the pattern years ago, but have quilted it for the Fiberactions Challenge.  I can assure you that this will be the only whole cloth, hand quilted piece that I ever make!  The fabrics are a gorgeous goldenrod on the front and burnt orange on the back which I purchased many moons ago from Primrose Gradations.  The thread is a dark gold (about 2 spools), and the only machine stitching is in the binding.

For this piece, I used the theme of "Departure" on several levels:

First of all, I enjoy intricate piecing and challenging applique, but chose instead to use only stitch for a whole cloth quilt.  The piece was started years ago, then put aside when it was half done.  I love hand quilting, just not in very large doses!

Another departure was in size:  Thank you Connie for suggesting that size could be a point of departure as well.  This piece was meant to be a baby quilt, and it is 48" square.

Lastly, the piece is also balanced symetrically and arranged traditionally which none of my other quilts for this challenge have been.

As with all departures, I am glad it is done and look forward to another journey in cloth.

Again, sorry for the lack of a photo, but that will be rectified on Monday.

Departure

This is a Departure for me-to cut up the felted piece after it is hand stitched and beaded-scary.

Departure- Raven the Collector

For 'Departure', I chose to depart from the vertical format, & did horizontal instead. I also chose to use materials not as often used in quilts, such as fused glass & Friendly Plastic. My friend Mindy does fused glass & will often trow a few scraps in the kiln to give to me. I thread painted on wash-away stabilized then stitched the thread cabochon over 3 pieces of the glass in the upper left, to hold the glass in place. Other glass is stitched as a bead or button, or glued in place.

The Raven is all thread, starting with neon brights, then stitched over with blacks..to see more details check my own blog.

Departure

Hand dyed cotton, mistyfuse, machine stitched, mounted on a 18"X24" stretcher frame

I guess you could say it's a departure from what an actual purple vase filled with flowers would look like in real life.

finished

and here's a sneak peek:

Working on Departure

The July 15th reveal date is coming up soon, So my capable assistant Bouree and I started working on our piece. I've added wordless progress photos...just a sampling though...don't want to give too much away!















Don't forget to check back on July 15th to see the whole piece and to enjoy what the rest of our artists came up with!