How small can a quilt be? I made several 4 X 6 inch postcards for a fundraiser called Fiberart For a Cause, which benefits the American Cancer Society. Artists from all over the world donated postcards which sold for only $30 apiece. Over $125,000 was raised—pretty awesome for such tiny works of art. Another FFAC fundraiser is called Collage Mania ll, which I made a piece for— it’ll be auctioned off in May, 2008.
Growing 1 postcard Growing 2 postcard Growing 3 postcard
The background is pieced, which is also called patchwork. The flower was painted on a grayish fabric, fused down, and the edges secured with a machine zigzag stitch. The quilting is free motion. A piece of heavy watercolor paper was glued on the back to write on. The purple petals were cut out in the process of making Growing 3. It’s a shame to waste fabric, so I made this flower. The pieces were fused onto the background and the raw edges covered with narrow satin or zigzag stitching using variegated threads. This started as one piece of purple fabric. I transferred my design, ironed fusible onto the back, cut out one area at a time, then fused different colored fabrics under the purple outlines. Tulle netting was stretched over, quilted down, and beads added.
Burning Bright sketch Burning Bright postcard
I wanted to try fabric painting as the primary way to make an image. The sketch above is loosely based on a couple of reference photographs of a tiger cub. Starting with an orange fabric with a linear pattern, I drybrushed on black and pearl paint to create the stripes. The eyes started as an ochre fabric, then metallic gold paint was added with a palette knife. The eyes were fused on from behind. The quilting is handstitched using a variegated thread. The title is from the poem by William Blake.
Something's Fishy postcard SWAK postcard
Another eye, this time belonging to a parrotfish. The pinkish markings and eyelid are fabric paint, while the eye is reverse appliquéd. It is machine quilted and small turquoise seed beads give a scaly effect. This started as a sample piece for a larger quilt but a big kiss seemed a good subject for a postcard. In case the acronym is unfamiliar, SWAK stands for Sealed With a Kiss.
Humming Along postcard
Freestyle postcard
The dolphin shape was left over from another quilt. His wave is a painted piece of cheesecloth. Black tulle netting covers all, then variegated quilting holds it all together. A few beads create foam on the wave. This hummingbird was a test piece for a large quilt (that has since been abandoned). He has “beady” eyes and feet and is flying through a flowery batik fabric.
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