Watercolor Quilts
Phebe
A couple of days ago, I saw a post asking for information about WC quilting.
I didn't have time to post a response, because the topic is vast, but since I
am TRYING to get some conversations going about quilting, I will say that I
have a wild array of watercolor fabrics and a couple completed quilts of this genre.
When I look for fabrics in WC, and I am ALWAYS looking in some respect, no
matter what else might be on the table, I specifically buy light lights if I
see them WHENEVER I see them. After spending SIX months on the sky behind the
dragon in my dragon quilt, I have an entire different respect for light
lights.
Technically, a WC fabric will have at least three colors in it, and you don't
want a lot of outlining on the print, IMO. There is a new line of fabrics
designed by Diane Phalen (the artist who does the infamous cards -which look
like photos- of houses with Amish quilts out drying in the yard). If you are
really interested in landscaping or watercolor, SEEK out this collection.
There are brick fabrics, and grasses, and florals, and light lights, with
splashes of blue, and pink, and yellow.
I found when collecting my WC fabrics that I finally just sorted all the ones
with bright reds and yellows out into their own selection. These prints just
don't merge with the colors around them, and very often drew too much
attention. One day I hope to make a quilt with just wild watercolors, but I
have not any inspiration for that yet.
My next WC quilt will involve only black and white and grey fabrics. I
really love the Mtn. --which I have seen up close and personal--which was
inspired by Ansel Adams and is featured in Watercolor Inspirations.
I don't have a question in this post, but if it inspires a question from you,
please ask it, and get a discussion started.
Phebe
Donna Aten
There is a new line of fabrics
> designed by Diane Phalen (the artist who does the infamous cards -which look
> like photos- of houses with Amish quilts out drying in the yard).
Hi Phebe -
I wasn't aware of Diane Phalen's fabric line. Do you carry it in your
store? Since I like to do landscapes - sounds like fabrics I could use.
I have a friend that is getting interested in watercolor - is there a
good beginner's book? She asked for me to look for a book for her while
I'm at the Expo, but I've never done watercolor, so not sure I would be
much help in picking out a book.
TIA
Donna in Hop Country! (Wilder, ID) da...@micron.net
Lob...@spamaway.att.net
snip
> I have a friend that is getting interested in watercolor - is there a
> good beginner's book? She asked for me to look for a book for her while
> I'm at the Expo, but I've never done watercolor, so not sure I would
I bought one of the Schlusser (???) and a name that starts with M
watercolor quilt books. It explains the process extremely well ... wish
I could help you with the correct name or title, but I just moved, am in
temporary housing and my stuff's still in Montana somewhere. One of
their books is called "Watercolor Quilts" I'm pretty sure and the one I
didn't buy has a bird's eye view of a grand piano WC quilt. It's
gorgeous.
If you know anything about WC, you use the same theories of values
(light, medium and dark) to create your picture. The book explains it
quite well. Gai Perry is another author whose WC quilt books are
helpful.
--
To respond by email, replace spamawaywith worldnet
Phebe
Donna Aten wrote:
>
> There is a new line of fabrics
> > designed by Diane Phalen (the artist who does the infamous cards -which look
> > like photos- of houses with Amish quilts out drying in the yard).
>
> Hi Phebe -
>
> I wasn't aware of Diane Phalen's fabric line. Do you carry it in your
> store?
Yes, we have it, Donna. I can help you pick some out when you are here next week...
Since I like to do landscapes - sounds like fabrics I could use.
>
> I have a friend that is getting interested in watercolor - is there a
> good beginner's book?
The basic WC bible that walks you through Selection of fabrics is Watercolor
Quilts by Pat Magaret and Donna Slusser. (according to an insert, it has sold
more than 100,000 copies worldwide.) You may want to check with her to see if
she has that one. Watercolor Inspirations is photos of amazing quilts, but no
real directions on making them. There are also some colorwash books out which
use strip piecing techniques, so you don't have so many fabrics to collect to
get the same effect.
I had the opportunity to meet with Pat and Donna one time when they were
lecturing at a nearby guild. They are wonderfully funny, and so humble. It
amazes me to think where their color theory has taken them!
See you later,
Phebe
Vanessa A. McCann
Phebe,
I have two watercolor books that I hve poured over until I think the print will fade.
they look o intreguing that even though they tend to be more contemporary for my taste .
. . I would love to attempt one. If for no other reason than the excuse of hving to buy
moe fabric. I have the space on the wall picked out already. Oh Well
Recently I had some serious medical stuff happen to me and other medical stuff just
happened to hit in-laws, parents, several aunts & uncles. That old rule of three just
refused to work.
So I decided that I would do a grey lap quilt for myself. I wanted somber and serious.
Wouldn't you know that the focus fabric went wonky when I cut it, so out it went, then
they others just didn't work well together. I am now the proud owner of a half done
federal blue & burgundy lap quilt. Go figure, not only is it NOT grey, there isn't a grey
in the bunch and it isn't looking to serious or somber. So much for making a statement!
At lest Ansel Adams' work isn't serious or somber. I'll bet it would be geat
Vanessa
Phebe wrote:
> A couple of days ago, I saw a post asking for information about WC quilting.
> I didn't have time to post a response, because the topic is vast, but since I
> am TRYING to get some conversations going about quilting, I will say that I
> have a wild array of watercolor fabrics and a couple completed quilts of this genre.
> When I look for fabrics in WC, and I am ALWAYS looking in some respect, no
> matter what else might be on the table, I specifically buy light lights if I
> see them WHENEVER I see them. After spending SIX months on the sky behind the
> dragon in my dragon quilt, I have an entire different respect for light
> lights.
> Technically, a WC fabric will have at least three colors in it, and you don't
> want a lot of outlining on the print, IMO. There is a new line of fabrics
> designed by Diane Phalen (the artist who does the infamous cards -which look
alm...@paltech.com
Phebe,
Came across your email on Watercolor Quilts. My wife is doing
an 8' X 10' watercolor quilt wall hanging. In the room where it will
hang there is good natural lighting. Although the quilt will not get
direct sunlight she is worried about fading. Can you (pardon the pun)
shed some light on this issue? Any ideas, products or possibly point
us in the right direction.
Thanks for your help. AL & Jan
PS Please email us directly at alm...@paltech.com
jjoens
There is a product on the market called QuiltGuard which is supposed to
protect the fabric from fading. It also protects the quilt against stuff
like liquids and so forth. I've seen it demonstrated on Aleene's. ( I
don't as a rule do crafts, but I'm always on the lookout for a product I
can use on fabric.) I've seen it advertised in quilt magazines too. I
keep meaning to send off for some. I have a quilt hanging at the Red Cross
that is showing serious fading after only a year.
Jeanne1
alm...@paltech.com wrote in article <34ece77c...@199.0.216.204>...
sub rosa
Since I live in FL I am used to *everything* fading so I rotate quilts
on the wall every 6 months or more often, it protects them better than
the protective sprays. It also takes the strain off the fabric from
being in one position too long.
Roberta, where the sun hasn't been a problem lately due to all the
rain!!!
Brian & Andrea Carew
Obviously the "quilting fairies" decided that u needed cheering up. <grin>
Funny how things work out sometimes, often things don't go as planned, but
sometimes what happens un-planned, works out for the best. They say that
"The Lord moves in mysterious ways" maybe there is something in that saying.
I hope that what has happened with the quilt also happens in your life, I
hope the grey vanishes and life is good for u from now on. Not sure what to
think about the "blue" though, hope u don't still have the "blues". Maybe u
should put some happy yellow in it <grin>
Andrea, from Australia.
who tends to have some crazy thoughts at 3.20am or thereabouts.
Vanessa A. McCann wrote in message <34ECAE2A...@nac.net>...
"snip"
>Recently I had some serious medical stuff happen to me and other medical
stuff just
>happened to hit in-laws, parents, several aunts & uncles. That old rule of
three just
>refused to work.
>So I decided that I would do a grey lap quilt for myself. I wanted somber
and serious.
>Wouldn't you know that the focus fabric went wonky when I cut it, so out it
went, then
>they others just didn't work well together. I am now the proud owner of a
half done
>federal blue & burgundy lap quilt. Go figure, not only is it NOT grey,
there isn't a grey
>in the bunch and it isn't looking to serious or somber. So much for making
a statement!
"snip"