The making of RED, machine needle felted textile art

"RED" in progress ~ photo by Jane LaFazio

As I prepared to make this quilt, RED, I gathered roving, burlap, tulle, cheese cloth and yarn, in every shade of red and machine needle felted them to create my own, completely original red material to work from.

I thought you'd be interested in my process. It's quite labor intensive, as most of my work seems to be!

"RED" in progress, just needlefelted. ~ photo by Jane LaFazio

First, I create the pieces with felted wool roving and ribbon and cheese cloth etc, using my Babylock Needlefelting machine, with pre-felt as the base.They are about 14 by 8 inches, but not always.

"RED" in progress, just needlefelted. ~ photo by Jane LaFazio

"RED" in progress, hand stitched with embroidery thread ~ photo by Jane LaFazio

Then, I hand embellish the pieces with a variety of colors and weight of embroidery thread.

"RED" in progress, hand stitched with embroidery thread ~ photo by Jane LaFazio

"RED" in progress, hand stitched with embroidery thread ~ photo by Jane LaFazio

After they are stitched, I sew on beads, again, in shades of red and pink.

"RED" in progress, hand stitched with embroidery thread and beaded
 ~ photo by Jane LaFazio

"RED" in progress, hand stitched with embroidery thread and beaded
 ~ photo by Jane LaFazio

"RED" in progress, hand stitched with embroidery thread and beaded
 ~ photo by Jane LaFazio

"RED" in progress, hand stitched with embroidery thread and beaded
 ~ photo by Jane LaFazio

"RED" in progress, the stack grows ~ photo by Jane LaFazio

"RED" in progress ~ photo by Jane LaFazio

BeBop loved this quilt! Felt is his thing, I guess!

"RED" in progress ~ photo by Jane LaFazio

So, after I created a bunch of these, I laid them out on a piece of 40x40 inch paper, to see how it fits. (The required size, for this quilt, was 40 inches square. It was a juried exhibition.)

Once the red manufactured felt arrived, for the batting/background, I laid out the pieces to decide on the arrangement.

"RED" in progress ~ photo by Jane LaFazio

"RED" in progress ~ photo by Jane LaFazio

Then, I hand stitched the pieces together, through the backing.

"RED" in progress ~ photo by Jane LaFazio

"RED" in progress ~ photo by Jane LaFazio

"RED" in progress ~ photo by Jane LaFazio

"RED" in progress ~ photo by Jane LaFazio

And here is the finished piece!

"Red" by Jane LaFazio, fiber art, 40x40 inches. (© 2015)

RED, by Jane LaFazio

I love red, always have. It’s my first color choice. Always. I’m attracted to any product that comes in red. A red bucket, red mix master, even red tractors. I stop myself my purchasing these, but I am helpless when it comes to red shoes. Or red sweaters. Or red purses. Red notebooks, water bottles, ipods, and paper clips. I drive a red Beetle convertible and everyone who sees the car remarks that it is totally me (even if they never met me). I have an ongoing affinity for anything red.

Materials used: wool roving, organza, ribbon, cheesecloth, yarn, burlap, tulle, beads, embroidery thread and felt

Price: $2000. 
(I hope this post helps you understand the price of this piece! It took me a couple of months to create.)

"RED" in progress ~ photo by Jane LaFazio