Sunday, December 26, 2010

from sketchbook to art quilt ~ work in progress

drawing to stitching
"Nostalgia Series: Zinnia" in progress by Jane LaFazio 
I'm finally getting the hang of free motion stitching (it truly just takes practice, lots of practice) and I love the idea of using the imagery from my sketchbook in my art quilts.
drawing to stitching
from my sketchbook (5x7Inches) by Jane LaFazio
On the left was the journal page from awhile back.  
drawing to stitching
in progress by Jane LaFazio 
Then, I printed the image onto sandwich/deli wrap (you could use tracing paper, or any light-weight paper) and pinned it to the BACK of my quilt (fabric and batting.) I free motion machine stitched the outline of my drawing. (I used green thread in the bobbin, in part because I'm not yet confident in bobbin tension and frankly, I was playing it safe.)
drawing to stitching
 in progress by Jane LaFazio 

drawing to stitching
 in progress by Jane LaFazio 
And the front of the fabric (soy wax mono-printed fabric by yours truly in a workshop a while back.) You can't see the green thread very well, but I'm okay with that, because now I'm going to stitch from the top, using black thread.

drawing to stitching
"Nostalgia Series: Zinnia" in progress by Jane LaFazio 
Below is the work in progress, I'm hand stitching now.
drawing to stitch
"Nostalgia Series: Zinnia" in progress by Jane LaFazio 
drawing to stitch
"Nostalgia Series: Zinnia" in progress by Jane LaFazio 
The white linen cocktail napkin is a transfer from another of my drawings using Susie's Monday's technique
@nostalgia_ zinnia
"Nostalgia Series: Zinnia" by Jane LaFazio (sold)

19 comments:

  1. cindy shake12/26/2010 2:46 PM

    Great step-by-step visuals! Good idea about printing onto the lighter weight paper, then sewing. I'm also still practicing free-motion but am completely in love with it!

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  2. Marilyn League12/26/2010 4:04 PM

    Amen on getting better with FMQ. It reminds me of the joke about how do you get to Carnegie Hall? Practice, practice, practice!

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  3. Remantics12/26/2010 5:24 PM

    Hello, thank you so much for sharing your process, I love these pieces you have stitched! Very inspiring! All the best from Karen

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  4. Kel12/26/2010 6:21 PM

    This is just so beautiful. Number one piece of advice about FMQ I ever received? Breathe!

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  5. martinealison12/26/2010 10:53 PM

    Somptueux travail... Bisous et joyeuse année à vous.
    Bisous

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  6. arts4all12/27/2010 3:49 AM

    Being a very traditional quilter (so far, but I'm learning to loosen up!!) the idea of FMQ stitching first on the back and then again on the front as you have done, just never occurred to me, but now I can hardly wait to get to my sewing machine this morning!! FMQ is lots of fun, relaxing and almost hypnotic sometimes, and was my first step past traditional quilting. If I was rich, I'd fly to California and take one of your classes!!

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  7. liniecat12/27/2010 6:08 AM

    Looks fabulous, love what youve done here with this, and thankls for the info on how youve achieved it.
    Lyn

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  8. jojo12/27/2010 7:56 AM

    Very interesting technique with the deli wrap. Where did you get the wrap?

    Very interesting piece. Will keep my eyes open for the finished piece.

    Happy New Year,
    jojo

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  9. Unknown12/27/2010 9:58 AM

    Truly 'mixed media'- sketch, soy-wax, mono-print, FMQ, hand stitching, fabric collage, printing, photography and bloggng! Really enjoyed the post.

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  10. Bookhandler12/27/2010 11:51 AM

    You are getting so good with these tiny tutorials! I especially like the added linen piece. It gives me ideas for mine. You did a great job integrating it.
    Thanks!

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  11. Elizabeth12/27/2010 6:29 PM

    BEautiful Jane!! Love seeing the process and your fme work is getting really good!! It is really such fun once the confidence kicks in !!!

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  12. Unknown12/27/2010 7:33 PM

    This is wonderful...I just don't like the practice practice practice part!

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  13. Unknown12/27/2010 8:27 PM

    Love this, so nice to see all these different techniques come together in one piece.

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  14. giddy up12/27/2010 9:47 PM

    Thanks for sharing your process. Did you use an ink jet printer to print your drawing and tear off the paper after you quilted the design?

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  15. Jane LaFazio12/28/2010 7:45 AM

    @JoJo: I get the deli/sandwich wrap at costco or smart & final. @giddy up: I used an inkjet printer, and only tore part of the paper off--the part that was easy! left the rest of it there, and will cover it with a backing.
    thanks everyone!!
    Jane

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  16. Frank Zweegers12/28/2010 8:36 AM

    Beautiful work!

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  17. Ellen Millar1/09/2011 11:01 AM

    Wonderful, I love your idea of starting the stitching from the reverse side. Yes FMQ is a leap of faith and keep your fingers clear. I find that once I get going with it I have a lot of fun.
    Thanks for sharing.
    Ellen

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  18. Judy2/13/2011 6:56 AM

    I learned a lot here Jane! Thanks for sharing your process.

    xo

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  19. Judy5/31/2013 1:52 PM

    I have been trying to remember these techniques, and am so glad to have refund this tutorial of yours! It has been driving me crazy for the past week - and finally I've found it! Thank you again so very much for sharing so many of your wonderful techniques FREELY!

    xxoo

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