My Guild has a summer challenge. Last year it was Architecture Inspired Quilts.
I took this photo of one of the many bridges over the Chicago River early last summer. I was intrigued by the way the light reflected the surreal color of the water onto the girders above my tour boat.
After an intense week long workshop with Judy Crow, I thought I might be able to interpret the image for the Guild’s Architectural Challenge. When I started sewing, I was filled with uncertainty and doubt. I felt like I was wasting time and getting nowhere. But I kept at it, dyeing fabrics, cutting and sewing fabric strips, re-slicing them to make new cloth, and inserting more lines and shapes until I was satisfied with the representation. I machine quilted the details that were too small to piece.
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| Water Under the Bridge |
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This year the summer challenge is to create a 20" by 20" quilt based on Botany. It is one of my favorite subjects.
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| magnolia |
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| dogwood |
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| bleeding hearts |
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| sidewalk sunflower |
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| roadside zinnias |
japanese maple
Last year I grew passionflowers on my rear deck. This year I am growing them on the front stoop. They send out lovely tendrils that wind along the wrought iron railing. There are lots of buds getting ready to pop. I have an idea in my head and have started dyeing fabric again. I'm not sure if I am up to the task, but I sure am excited about trying.
