Watercolor Quilts for Pillows
Sandra Kell
Hi,
I am new to quilting and newsgroups. I am trying to find any
instrunctional patterns, with fabric selection help, to make some
watercolor patterened pillows for my couch. Any information will be
appreciated.
Enjoying the newgroup.
Thanks,
Sandy
sarah curry smith
Sandy, you probably have the good book, _Watercolor Quilts_, but if you
don't, it's worth the money, if for no reason other than "Beauty is its
own excuse for being."
I thought I'd DIE if I didn't make a watercolor quilt, collected
those 2" squares from every possible source (including my own
considerable stash), and then discovered, after I spent ALL that time
(and money, and energy) laying out the squares in color families, then
putting them on the flannel board -- that I simply don't have the
patience to do this right. It wasn't FUN, when the time came. I did
finally make up a wall-hanging (almost the only one of those I've ever
made) ... and then sold the WQ squares.
I think the techniques in the WQ book, though (especially the
graphs showing how to "shade" from dark to light) would be a LOT of help
... I'd think a pillow would be a little small for a real "picture" to
emerge -- but the shadings would be SMASHING!
Good luck with this project, and let us know how it goes.
Happy Trails!
` Sarah in Las Cruces, NM
John & Phebe Musselwhite
Sandra Kell wrote:
>
> Hi,
> I am new to quilting and newsgroups. I am trying to find any
> instrunctional patterns, with fabric selection help, to make some
> watercolor patterened pillows for my couch. Any information will be
> appreciated.
> Enjoying the newgroup.
> Thanks,
> Sandy
There was a watercolor quilt starter kit which was out a couple years
ago, but out by Pat Magaret and Donna Slusser. It had a small selection
of start-up squares and easy directions to get you going. The kit
basically just showed how to do the standard shade from one corner light
to the opposite corner dark--basically an exercise in working with
value. That could make a clever pillow. I am with Sarah--find the
Watercolor Quilts book.
By the way, I had the opportunity to see the program put on by Pat and
Donna at Evergreen Piecemaker's Guild last month. I have been BIG fans
of theirs from the day I started this hobby, (which is about the time
their book came out.) Seeing their quilts in person was totally
awesome! I was bowled down by the one inspired by Ansel Adams (photo in
Watercolor Inspirations p. 97), totally done in black and white
fabrics.
Pat and Donna were wonderfully funny and pleasant. I had dinner with
them and carpooled up to Auburn with them (courtesy of Evie at The Quilt
Barn). They are very funny. One of the tricks they do before they
give a presentation is to tell each other a weird word right before they
start speaking and then they each have to fit the word in during the
talk. (The night I saw them one of them had to use the word
"petroleum"). They let us walk up and TOUCH their quilts after the
program and it was fascinating to see how they had used certain fabrics
in their projects. (I always have trouble with the bright blotchy
ones.)
At dinner, I showed them my dragon quilt (which I have mumbled about on
this NG in the past) and they were generous enough to write some
encouraging words and sign a piece of muslin which I can use for my
label (should the day ever occur where I will need to use one.)
Have fun with your project.
Phebe
If you need to find out more, e-mail Donna at quil...@aol.com
SherLor95
Sandy wrote:
> I am trying to find any
>instrunctional patterns, with fabric selection help, to make some
>watercolor patterened pillows for my couch. Any information will be
>appreciated.
Shirley Liby's Watercolor Workbook might be just what you need. Most of
the projects are small and would make great pillow tops! She uses 2 1/2"
squares, so if you use 2" like I did, they come out smaller yet. I found
this book to be a great learning tool as well. Just doodling around with
the patterns and laying them out, I've gotten all sorts of fun ideas.
Hope this helps!
Sheryl
Sher...@aol.com
"If your ship doesn't come in, swim out to it!"