Thursday 11 September 2014

Rising Balloons Quilt



A quilt commission, a new fabric line, a birthday present. I'm excited about this quilt because it would never have been without the convergence of these three occurrences.
A dear friend of mine asked if I could make her a quilt for a mutual friend and her family. They've been living in Australia for almost a decade, originally from England, and are returning home at the end of the year. I immediately thought of Emma Jean Jansen's recent lines Terra Australis I and II. They are bright and modern, they have a great selection of beautiful and fun basics (kangaroos!), and it's distinctly Australian without looking like a cheap souvenir shop or retro tea-towels.
Our friends have been living in Canowindra, home of an annual Hot Air Balloon festival, so Jewels asked, if possible, for hot air balloons, but ultimately trusted me with the design.



Soon afterwards, my amazing Tim gave me an Accuquilt Go fabric cutter for my birthday! He actually walked into my local quilt shop, bought it, and a hexie die to go with it, and arranged for it to be delivered because he was on his bicycle! I asked my mum if she'd buy the large Drunkard's Path die for my birthday to go with it. I'd avoided curves so far in my quilting. I'd sewn in plenty of sleeves in my time, so I knew I could do it, it was just the cutting that kept me away. With my fat quarter bundles of both lines in hand, I cut a 9" strip from each prints that I wanted to use (all the basics plus a few extras). Cutting 6 layers at a time with the Go cutter, I had the entire quilt cut in about 45 minutes!



I arranged the quilt in overlapping circles, hoping that it would look a little like hot air balloons rising up en masse. I free motion quilted around the circles in a swirly design, to represent the wind. This mix of colour, design, and quilting is so different to what I usually make and I love it! I found the whole process really satisfying and inspiring. The biggest challenge? Trying to get photos on our weekend in the country in full sun with a strong breeze! Thank goodness this old brick shed we found. Not quite the wheat field pictures I had in mind, but lovely (and protected!) just the same.



In the centre of the circles, I almost quilted lines that would look like hot air balloons, but I was too afraid they'd just look like basketballs! So I went with this simple flower so that the circles would still POP! but would have a special feature to draw the eye.
I backed the quilt with a couple of the feature prints from the lines, mixed with other prints from my stash.


Usually custom orders make me feel limited, more like a manufacturer, rather than an artist, and I've really enjoyed the break I've given myself this year to make for friends and ideas. I haven't missed the constant evaluation of time and price, which usually led to less experimentation and a safer mix of colour. In this instance, I offered my work for free, which enabled me to play, without worrying about keeping my hourly rate above sweat-shop level.
For me it throws into question what I want my sewing to be for me (a successful business? A means of creative expression and sanity in the baby years? A hobby that pays for itself?) but I'm enjoying the things I'm learning, both personally and creatively, while I let the question float a while...

10 comments:

  1. Wow - this is just beautiful.

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  2. gorgeous! i love the overlapping balloons :)

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  3. This is absolutely beautiful. I love the bright colours. I bought an amazing quilt from you for my daughter and we use it daily. It is comprised of beautiful rainbow square, almost looks like a tetris game :) I've just had a little boy and so am keeping a close eye on your shop so I can purchase his own heirloom quilt. I know what you mean about pricing etc. I do a bit of photography but sometimes the hourly rate works out very low when all is added up. I would do what I do for no payment for family and friends but then I also want to stretch my self creatively and I find that comes about when I have constraints and deadlines. I have found that bartering/ doing exchanges with local artists/ artisans is wonderful. You know your work is going to be truly loved and both parties are very appreciative. Anyway this is a bit lengthy but wanted to let you know how much your beautiful work is appreciated!

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  4. Can't tell you how much I love this quilt! The design, the colours, the thoughts behind it and the memory of Australia that it will be to those who are leaving. Beautiful :-)

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  5. Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous! Love that first picture especially. Thanks for the eye candy!

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  6. It's ace! That fabric didn't appeal to me until I've seen your use of it here.

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  7. Everything about this quilt is gorgeous!

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I so love your comments! I read all of them and reply when I can. If you don't hear back, I'm lost under a mound of scraps or outside jumping on the trampoline with the kids. Jodi. xx