QDAD: Early March

I have started of March feeling renewed and inspired. I hope you enjoy the first set of designs.

Please note the palettes for the following designs are on the groups Facebook page.

02 March: Boat Shed

03 March: Grass Fields

04 March: Bike Spokes

05 March: Forest + Luxury Cars

I was not sure about the racing stripes with the car, though I love the red with this color palette. So here is the design again with just the forest trees.

07 March: Paper Fun

08 March: Along the seashore

Please Note: If you would like to make or use one of my designs, please email me (ml_wilkie(at)hotmail(dot)com) or leave a comment below. I am happy to talk with you on options and provide the relevant measurements etc. or have you test out a pattern. Also, if you use one of my designs, please use the following text to credit me the design: “Designed by Michelle Wilkie @ Factotum of Arts”.

Sunday Stash: Stash Building

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I have been trying very hard to reduce my shopping and stick with “Sew my Stash 2015”. It has gone pretty well so far, except for the past two weeks, when I have not been able to sew. I call this the aftershock of QuiltCon, just too exhausted and overwhelmed – needing to recuperate (hehehe).

I will say, other than my new Janome Machine which I needed for traveling around, I was very conservative with my QuiltCon purchases. I only picked a few Japanese Fabrics. The calendar print I plan on using as backing for a quilt; the sheep, I mean do I need to say more :-)…and then of course some Yoshiko Jenzinji fabrics were included.

That was it for my QuiltCon haul, however, I have also bought some fabrics for my stash.

Warm Palette colors:

I am not usually a pink fan but recently have been working with it and I found I needed a little more brighter choices. I found those fantastic foxes at my LQS (Cary Quilting Company) and could not resist.

Cool color palettes:

After attending Vanessa Christensen’s class at QuiltCon, I decided I need to pick up a couple of the Ombre Strips….I see new pillows in my future. My favorite print though, is that middle one with the bees and flowers. It is a print from Norwegian Wood by Hawthorne Threads Beekeeping in White.

Neutral Stash (of course mostly grays):

These purchases were a mix from Hawthorne threads and LQS (Cary Quilting Company). I am digging the Katrina Roccella Cuneiform Script prints (3rd and 6th from the left). I am desperately waiting for some of the C+S black and white prints to join some of these in a new quilt design I am working on.

That’s it. Next week, I have a couple of fabric lines to share. Linking up with Molli Sparkles for Sunday Stash (see button on the right).

My new class idea: Modern Quilt Designing

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I have been mulling over a new idea for a class. As you know, I am really enjoying the designing process for making my own quilts. I really want to share that with people. I would love your feedback – so bear with me as I walk you through my idea.

So, the class is about using things around you for inspiration when designing modern quilts – “Every Day Inspiration for Designing Modern Quilts”. I think have a structure, and some of the content decided….

___________________________________CLASS CONTENT__________________________________________

Sources of Inspiration

Art History: I think it is important that we understand what has been done before us not only in quilting but also in art using other mediums. I have a focus for Abstract art, with examples of different artists that influence my design aesthetic. Where to look and find resources.
Your environment: How can you use things around you to inspire a design? What should you look for? Photographic examples are used to illustrate how to identify design elements.

Designing

Initial Design: This covers how do you take these concepts/ideas to create an initial design?
Color Palettes: How do use a given color palette and does placement of colors make a difference to the design? Does not cover detailed color theory but elements are discussed and can be provided.
Fine-tuning of the design: Experimenting with size and placement of the design elements can make a difference to the overall design.

Additional Information/Class Wrap-up: What tools are out there for designing? Where/What can you do to continue learning?

Student hands on activities for the class: I think it takes practice to be able to find your aesthetic and start to fine tune your skills in what you see around you (something I learned participating in quilt design a day). So my goal for the hands on exercises/activities is to start that process, and practice.

Students come with:

3 photos that either provide inspiration from a color palette or, contains subject matter they are inspired by or, has geometric design elements.
Design tool of choice (paper/makers or pencils; computer with software

Exercise 1: Same subject matter, different perspectives

Based on an instructor provided photo, draw an initial design in 20 mins.
With 10 more minutes what changes would you make (play with color placement or design elements)
Individuals will be selected to share with the class your design explain why your inspiration

Exercise 2: Small Group Selection

Everyone brings their photos and the group selects one photo that they will use to draw an initial design in 20 minutes
With 10 more minutes what changes would you make (play with color placement or design elements)
Individuals will be selected to share with the class your design explain why your inspiration

Exercise 3: Different subject matter

Take one of your 3 photos draw an initial design in 20 mins
With 10 more minutes what changes would you make (play with color placement or design elements
Individuals will be selected to share with the class your design explain your inspiration.

Exercise 4: Abstract artist (if time permits)

Repeat Exercise 3 with another photo but use an abstract artist we covered in class to inspire your initial design (20 minutes).

___________________________________________ END_______________________________________________

Ok. So I would love some feedback about what you guys think about this class. Here are some questions I have and if you think of anything else – I would love to hear about it.

Is this something you would like to do?
Is there anything missing in the class that you would like to see?
What to you think about the above Student Hands-on Activities?
Do you think most people will bring paper as the design tool and should this be the default? NOTE: I will not be able to offer assistance to those who bring software
Do you think this can be a full-day class or 1/2 day class? What would you prefer?
Do you think folks would like an exercise, in which, they take their cell phones and take a photo in the class/environment around them to use this for a design? Will everyone have a phone?

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