Detail from "Rain Dance," an original quilt by Sherrie Spangler

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Sort of a Valentine heart


Everyone is posting hearts on facebook and on their blogs today, so I thought I'd start another of my yoga mat quilts using heart cutouts. I dutifully pulled out some red fabric, but I'm not really a red person. So I put it back and got what I really wanted: Purple, orange and green.


I fused Wonder Under onto the back of a piece of my hand-painted purple, then folded it in half and started to draw hearts. But I'm not a heart person, either, so I switched to a plantlike form and circles. When I cut it and unfolded the piece, I did have a heart! The top photo is the leftover purple background, showing a purple heart. This next photo is the intended shape:


I fused that down and then added some circles ...


... and some other pieces:


I may add a few more shapes, then I'll begin outlining and embellishing everything with hand embroidery and beading. I like to use hand-dyed pearl cotton embroidery floss from Artfabrik (click here to see the threads) because the colors are so luscious and because I like Laura Wasilowski, the quilter behind Artfabrik.

This is the leftover pile, which I'll use to start a few more yoga mat quilts:


I came up with the name "yoga mat quilts" a few years ago when I was inspired by the design on my yoga mat to make quilts using symmetrical plantlike, unfolding forms. Then I realized that the hand embroidery and beading were very meditative, continuing the theme. One of these days I want to get around to writing an article about them, but first I have to actually finish one. Here's a post about the technique: http://sherriequilt.blogspot.com/2011/08/yoga-quilt-3-and-wisdom-teeth.html

I've linked this post to Nina-Marie's Off the Wall Fridays http://ninamariesayre.blogspot.com/, where you can see what other fiber artists have been up to this week.

Have a colorful day

10 comments:

Judy Sall Fiber Art said...

Sherrie, I love this! I have a piece I'm working on now that needs something as a focal point in the center. I was thinking of just some embroidery work, but may give some thought to creating a fused piece to embellish. If not on this project, I definitely have to give this a try soon.... thanks for your inspiration!

Unknown said...

what a great concept! And as beautiful as your piece is...I have to say...I would LOVE to play with those leftovers!! Can hardly wait to see what you do with them!! Connected to you through Off the Wall Friday!

Regina B Dunn said...

The yoga mat concept is wonderful! And I love the fabrics you chose. I also found your post from Off the Wall Friday. I love reading these blogs and sharing.

Judy Ferguson said...

Hearts come in all colors and sizes and perspectives. And sometimes they just appear out of nowhere. Love the yoga mat interpretation.

Jacqueline Bryant Campbell said...

This is beautiful. I love how you just let the piece evolve without making it fit into the idea of the traditional valentine.

Lisa Chin said...

Just lovely! Thanks for sharing your technique. Happy Belated Valentines!

Julaine said...

yes, it's me! love, love, love what you're working one, sherrie...the colors are SO yummy looking!

Robbie said...

VERY nice! So much better than a heart/heart!!! Cool!

Marti said...

And to add to all the above comments, your colors are yummy! (as always!) ps: I seem to be running into your work everywhere I look. Yesterday I went through my book, Quilting With Beads and there you were. Last night I was thumbing through an older edition of Quilting Arts and there you were. Always a pleasure. :)

Nina Marie said...

love the symmetry - and love the idea of yoga mat quilts!