JOURNAL QUILTS 2009
The 2009 Journal Quilts explore using the Bernina embroidery module and software.
JANUARY JQ: HAMAMELIS
Inspired by acid yellow witch hazel flowers against a dark yew hedge in the garden.
Flower motifs were created using the block digitising tool then stitched onto tulle for a ragged look. This was applied to a manipulated photograph which had been free motion quilted with overlaid sheers and net. The text, Hamamelis (the botanical name of witch hazel), is automated lettering.
Flower motifs were created using the block digitising tool then stitched onto tulle for a ragged look. This was applied to a manipulated photograph which had been free motion quilted with overlaid sheers and net. The text, Hamamelis (the botanical name of witch hazel), is automated lettering.
FEBRUARY JQ: IN CHALK CLIFFS
The title is a chapter heading in an altered book* I was working on.
Using scanned drawings as backdrop, appliquéd motifs were created in the software with the auto appliqué tool or manually digitised. These were stitched to a wool flannel ground. Satin stitched pelmet Vilene was used to make the long crinoids which were hand stitched on. The background was free motion quilted.
*Ros made several altered books as a member of a local arts group SparksArtists.
Using scanned drawings as backdrop, appliquéd motifs were created in the software with the auto appliqué tool or manually digitised. These were stitched to a wool flannel ground. Satin stitched pelmet Vilene was used to make the long crinoids which were hand stitched on. The background was free motion quilted.
*Ros made several altered books as a member of a local arts group SparksArtists.
MARCH JQ: SINGING WOMEN
Also inspired by a chapter heading in my altered book. The figures started as rough sketches influenced by Joan Miro’s work and ancient fertility dolls.
The scanned sketches were auto digitised and edited. Some free motion stitching was added and the surface machined to a backing to form a quilt.
The scanned sketches were auto digitised and edited. Some free motion stitching was added and the surface machined to a backing to form a quilt.
APRIL JQ: SHIELD
I’d been looking at Celtic shields as research for a quilt which didn’t get off the ground. I liked the patterning of this boss and thought it might work as automated embroidery.
The design was manually digitised then stitched out on a pre quilted ground over painted Tyvek. The Tyvek was then ironed to create a distressed appearance and parts machine stitched down. The ground is a hand dyed cloth with some markalling. A beaded ribbon was added for interest and balance.
The design was manually digitised then stitched out on a pre quilted ground over painted Tyvek. The Tyvek was then ironed to create a distressed appearance and parts machine stitched down. The ground is a hand dyed cloth with some markalling. A beaded ribbon was added for interest and balance.
MAY JQ: ALLIUM
I have several of these plants in the garden and like their spectacular globe heads.
The base is pieced and free motion quilted self-dyed cotton. Flower heads were created in embroidery software using manual digitising and a wreath tool then stitched to the base over sheers which were then cut back. This squashed the design into the wadding more than I liked.
I thought I’d come up with the design all by myself till a friend said they reminded her of some furnishing fabric! So the design credit should go to Angie Lewin who must have got into my head with her lovely work. An example of the pitfalls of failing to make notes when items catch the eye.
The base is pieced and free motion quilted self-dyed cotton. Flower heads were created in embroidery software using manual digitising and a wreath tool then stitched to the base over sheers which were then cut back. This squashed the design into the wadding more than I liked.
I thought I’d come up with the design all by myself till a friend said they reminded her of some furnishing fabric! So the design credit should go to Angie Lewin who must have got into my head with her lovely work. An example of the pitfalls of failing to make notes when items catch the eye.
JUNE JQ: DISPERSAL
A photograph in The Guardian reminded me how lovely dandelion clocks are.
The circles were digitised, filled and edged with inbuilt software patterns then stitched onto self dyed cotton. These were trapunto quilted to add dimension, some over Angelina with added beads. Surrounded by free motion quilting with hand stitched and beaded seeds. Painted stems.
The circles were digitised, filled and edged with inbuilt software patterns then stitched onto self dyed cotton. These were trapunto quilted to add dimension, some over Angelina with added beads. Surrounded by free motion quilting with hand stitched and beaded seeds. Painted stems.
JULY JQ: INTO OBSCURITY
A photo digitised with Photosnap, stitched out in 3 different densities then applied to a ground painted with Sericol inks.
I like the way the images begin to disappear so this inspired the title. These experiments came about after seeing Hilary Gooding’s use of this software.
Big stitch hand quilted with some beading.
I like the way the images begin to disappear so this inspired the title. These experiments came about after seeing Hilary Gooding’s use of this software.
Big stitch hand quilted with some beading.
AUGUST JQ: WEDDING FLOWERS
In the software I created some of my own pattern runs and stamps, using sketches of wedding flowers. Jan Alston taught me how to do it. These were stitched on sheers then applied to a quilted ground which had been manipulated in PaintShop Pro and printed onto fabric.
They look ‘plonked on’ so if there was more time and inclination I would add hand stitching and beading to try to integrate the surface better.
They look ‘plonked on’ so if there was more time and inclination I would add hand stitching and beading to try to integrate the surface better.
SEPTEMBER JQ: GOING GREY
Like July’s JQ this is a further experiment with the embroidery software’s Photosnap.
It is designed to allow a possible diptych arrangement with the earlier Journal Quilt.
This time the densities remain the same but different shades of thread are used to create a fading out effect. The stitching is on the diagonal this time.
It is designed to allow a possible diptych arrangement with the earlier Journal Quilt.
This time the densities remain the same but different shades of thread are used to create a fading out effect. The stitching is on the diagonal this time.
OCTOBER JQ: BREAKTHROUGH TRIAL
This came about when working a design for the Contemporary Quilt Breakthrough challenge and tries 4 ways of transferring the figures to a quilt:
(i) Free motion quilting over a design drawn on water soluble stabiliser which left the fabric stiff – full washing not being an option as the printed Lutradur was already in place
(ii) Free motion quilting over a design on quilting paper which left difficult to remove paper bits where the stitching doubled up
(iii) Autodigitised design from scanned drawing
(iv) Manually digitised design.
From these it was decided the quickest route would be to free motion quilt a single outline over quilting paper, remove the paper then eyeball the rest of the design.
(i) Free motion quilting over a design drawn on water soluble stabiliser which left the fabric stiff – full washing not being an option as the printed Lutradur was already in place
(ii) Free motion quilting over a design on quilting paper which left difficult to remove paper bits where the stitching doubled up
(iii) Autodigitised design from scanned drawing
(iv) Manually digitised design.
From these it was decided the quickest route would be to free motion quilt a single outline over quilting paper, remove the paper then eyeball the rest of the design.
NOVEMBER JQ: BUTTONED UP
Thinking around the theme Closure for another project led to this journal quilt.
The background is painted Evolon, overprinted with computer text, simply machine quilted in straight lines. The lips are all manually digitised with inserted button holes, stitched on sheers or felt then burned out. These are attached to the quilt with buttons.
Text: SECRETS, Keep schtum, It's our secret, Shh, Can't spill the beans, Mustn't tell, Don't let the cat out of the bag, Not allowed to say, Button it.
The background is painted Evolon, overprinted with computer text, simply machine quilted in straight lines. The lips are all manually digitised with inserted button holes, stitched on sheers or felt then burned out. These are attached to the quilt with buttons.
Text: SECRETS, Keep schtum, It's our secret, Shh, Can't spill the beans, Mustn't tell, Don't let the cat out of the bag, Not allowed to say, Button it.
DECEMBER JQ: CONSTRUCT
A leftover machine embroidered text piece was the starting point for this journal quilt. Rather than throw it out consideration was given to how it might be recycled.
It was cut into strips and roughly woven with other leftovers containing printed text into a ground. Bondawebbing onto felt and zig-zag grid-quilting holds it in place. A further layer of large text embroidered on net has been applied. The edges are also encased in netting.
The word ALTER was chosen because it reflects the process of transforming the original piece into something else. It also relates to playing around with text in the embroidery software and altering individual letters with the reshape tool.
Text: ALTER (repeated) on a background of fragmentary words
It was cut into strips and roughly woven with other leftovers containing printed text into a ground. Bondawebbing onto felt and zig-zag grid-quilting holds it in place. A further layer of large text embroidered on net has been applied. The edges are also encased in netting.
The word ALTER was chosen because it reflects the process of transforming the original piece into something else. It also relates to playing around with text in the embroidery software and altering individual letters with the reshape tool.
Text: ALTER (repeated) on a background of fragmentary words
