sewing

Many Dots, AP # 82

| Cindy Anderson

Polka dots and French knots are two of my favorite things to add to art work—the quilt I’m revealing today has plenty of both. Many Dots, AP # 82 was given its name because of its circular elements.

Also incorporated are leftover scraps from previous projects. You will see them near the center. The first is a triangular grouping of green fabrics. The second section is directly to the right. Both were partnered with fabrics that nicely meld them all together. I really like it when I can find a use for remnants too good to toss.

To finish my project I added a mixture of hand and machine quilting. I also included three turquoise beads and a matching lime green button. My striking, newly finished art quilt looks like this.

Many Dots, AP # 82

Thank You for sharing your time!

Once In A Blue Moo, AP # 81

Once In A Blue Moo, AP 81
| Cindy Anderson

“Once in a blue moon” is a well-known idiom. The phrase refers to the occurrence of a second full moon within a calendar month. This phenomena only happens about once every thirty-two months.

The phrase “Once in a Blue Moon” was the inspiration for today’s art quilt. Initially begun at the Pam Beal Minimalist Design, Maximum Impact class, this project took on a whimsical nature with the addition of an unusual embellishment and fabric strip.

Once In A Blue Moon Moo, AP # 81

A quick glance at the above photo reveals the presence of a vertical navy blue section of fabric with the word Moo repeatedly printed on its surface. This piece of fabric gave me the idea to call my project Once In a Blue Moon Moo. 

A careful tour of the 7 3/4 x 7 3/4” art quilt will reveal:

  • the presence of a multi-colored barn with;
  • a stylish, wood-grained, teal door;
  • sporting a teal zipper pull to act as the door’s handle;
  • a chimney fashioned from a tiny teal fabric scrap;
  • a grassy base represented by the fringed, teal, horizontal, fabric strip;
  • cleverly applied hand quilting using both matching and coordinating colors (note the stitches used to represent smoke arising from the chimney);
  • as well as a machine applied zig-zag stitch to secure raw edges.

All of these added elements helped to make this special art quilt a great addition to my portfolio. I hope that after you have examined each of my design elements you too will be able to grasp my vision.

Thank You for sharing your time!

Cobblestones, AP # 80

| Cindy Anderson

Today I am sharing another finished art piece. This one is called Cobblestones, AP # 80.

While in Ohio at the 2017 Quilt Surface and Design Symposium (QSDS) I used my spare time to document my visit through photographs. One of the photos I took was of an exposed section of cobblestones peaking through a layer of bricks and asphalt. The photo provided inspiration for my Cobblestones quilt.

A Cobblestone Street

Cobblestone features an off-centered grouping of tiny colorful squares enveloped by strips of a soft mint colored fabric. The tiny squares, or artistically replicated cobblestones, were quilted with minimally spaced, hand-applied stitches. The soft mint fabric sections were quilted with matching thread using both machine and hand stitching. Cobblestone measures 10 x 4 1/2”.

This very simple masterpiece initially took shape during Pam Beal’s class Minimalist Design, Maximum Impact. The finishing touches were applied in my studio at home. If Pam were to see it today I believe she would say that it definitely fits into the minimalist category. Here’s my finished piece.

Cobblestones, AP # 80

Thank You for sharing your time!