A different angle to inspiration from nature...

The second project of our Transitions group was to make a background of strips and do something with it....!     

On one of our trips, Willem and I stayed at the Riebeek Valley Hotel in Riebeek West.   Walking around the beautiful gardens, I was taken with the bark of a huge pine tree and took photographs as inspiration for maybe one day.....     While putting my fabrics together for our next project, somehow this image of the bark kept coming back to me...    I decided that I was ready to use this photograph as inspiration for my second art quilt.

Bark of a pine tree - photo taken in Riebeek West

I prepared a piece using strips of cotton, taffeta, upholstery fabric and even peach skin in various widths.    Quite a variety of fabrics indeed!    I singed some of the edges with a candle to give it interesting edges and lines before stitching it together.  Somehow I worked in the same colour range as Tranformation - Glow Beyond the Scorched Earth.....    

I started work on this quilt while I was also working on Transformation - Glow Beyond the Scorched Earth.    It was so much easier to work on this piece - maybe I had made the transition to a different way of working....    I added more strips of singed chiffon, taffeta and even tulle to the foundation piece as part of the embellishment and stitched hand embroidery stitches in a very random way using variegated perle no 8 threads.   I also couched cords and recycled silk yarns to the piece.    I finished the embellishment with motifs which I made from copper wire and other metal pins used for making earrings as well as a variety of glass and metal beads.....

Centre panel of Transformation - An Ode  to Trees 2009

We were discussing discharging of fabric at one of our meetings and I started experimenting with odd pieces of black fabric and were absolutely thrilled with the result.   I promptly used two pieces for the side panels of the quilt and bought a lovely piece of screen printed fabric from Pam Stallabrass which was just perfect for the top section of the quilt (although I used the reverse side of the fabric)....    The pieces of fabric lent itself to a Kimono shape quilt.....    

I made fabric beads to use in a fringe for the bottom of the quilt mixed with wooden and metal beads.   On one of our trips, I collected quills of porcupines which were run over while trying to cross the road in a remote area...    I desperately wanted to use some of the quills in this quilt.....     As the beaded fringe at the bottom were quite bulky, I added beads hanging from T-section with porcupine ends secured with copper wire which seemed to balance the bottom fringe.     The quilt was machine quilted and the edges were secured without bindings which added more texture.

Side section using discharged black fabric and porcupine quill ends  finishing the beading.

Beaded fringe at bottom of quilt

I gave this quilt to my daughter Elizabeth.    While shopping for beads, I found small little copper coins with the image of Elizabeth I and had to buy it....!    I embellished some of the fabric beads with the little coin, truly a quilt for the namesake...!

The centre panel of this quilt is heavily stitched and embellished with beads etc...    I believe it is a fine art to know when to stop embellishing as too much can also spoil a wonderful piece of work.    My motto is when in doubt, don't or stop!    

I named the quilt Transformation - An Ode to Trees.    Transformation as I was still in the process of adapting to this new way of quilting and because I used so much of the same fabric as Glow Beyond the Scorched Earth.   I also worked on these two quilts at the same time, it almost felt like quilts in a series.     As my initial inspiration was the photograph of the tree bark which I took in Riebeek West, I had to pay tribute to trees .....

Transformation - An Ode to Trees 2009

My realistically themed quilts were all inspired by nature -  so it was an interesting challenge to use an element from nature to create this quilt....!     I felt very blessed to have created these two Transformation  quilts.......

Into the world of art quilts....

The journey on which my first art quilt Transformation - Glow Beyond the Scorched Earth took me, was intense, frustrating and utterly thrilling.    It taught me patience as I had to sit back and wait for inspiration for the next step until it was done.....    The quilt developed as I progressed and I had no idea how it would look  finally...     It finally set me free to create to my hearts content....


Forming the art quilt group Transitions had a profound effect on my quilting journey....   After working in a set format for such a long time, it was difficult to suddenly change gears...    All of a sudden I could not rely on first getting the "mental picture" of my realistic quilts as I needed to let go of the creative control I had of all phases of my work.   It was such an intense challenge which was very frustrating as it left me feeling out of sorts ...   The transition was very difficult...


As the first project for our new group, we decided to each choose a shape to make a small quilt.  I chose a square as shape and quickly cut and fused different sizes of squares onto half of a fat quarter as background...    I pinned it to my design wall and wondered where this would take me as I had no idea....    My biggest concern was that I could see no change to my previous work of similar design...    I became terribly frustrated and irritated as I sat staring at it every day.....    After about two weeks, I realized that the edges were too perfect and I needed  more uneven lines - I promptly removed the square patches from the background, lit a candle and started burning the raw edges!   Just perfect!   I burnt the edges of the background fabric to complement the uneven edges of the motifs...   At last I felt I made some progress....   


 My initial idea was to machine stitch the entire quilt and embellish it with beading...   I used the raw edge applique method to secure all the motifs to the background, but somehow it looked too plain and flat...    I played with some metal and glass beads and realized the texture difference between the beads and machine stitching was too severe, I needed something as filler in between....     I was stuck again!    I promptly placed the piece back on the design wall and waited for inspiration...     I tentatively experimented with some hand embroidery stitches which immediately added another dimension to the embellished squares.     

Centre panel of quilt  (on its side for better viewing)

I extended the quilt by adding off cuts around the centre panel in a very unconventional way - it would be the border of the quilt!   I found bits of leather in my stash with very interesting uneven edges to add in between the centre panel and the border sections.    Somehow, working on this quilt, became easier and very exciting....

At our first creative meeting, we made fabric beads which was great fun.    It lifted the spirits in the group as all of us felt a bit intimidated by the challenge of "jumping out of our rigid boxes"...    As I was taking tentative steps with my first art quilt effort, I decided to add a beaded fringe to the quilt and made beads using the same colour palette as the "not so square anymore" motifs.    I also burnt most of the edges of the fabric for the beads to keep the effect the same as the motifs.   Burning the edges, left a very dark edge which was perfect for the earthy colours in which I was working....   I felt the first stirrings of excitement....   But it was still a long way to go...   

Fabric beads mixed with wooden, clay and metal beads.

Brenda sent me some creative quotes to be used as inspiration in our group and I could especially relate to one by Carl Jung:
 The creation of something new is not accomplished by the intellect

But by the play instinct acting from inner necessity.

The creative mind plays with the objects it loves.

I decided to decorate one panel of this quilt by writing this quote repeatedly!    I also used this quote as heading on the homepage of this blog...!

Panel with Carl Jung Quote above the bottom  beaded fringe

I also wrote on the one side panel, but somehow it did not look right....   The piece of fabric was just perfect and I wanted to use it, so I had to cover my mistake...   I burnt the edges of chiffon, tulle and organza strips and covered the writing with these strips...   It created lovely texture and I immediately liked it, but realized I had to counter balance it on the other side using a darker shade...   I decided not to cut the threads on the edge as it created extra texture ....

Side panel with strips of organza, tulle and  chiffon covering unwanted writing....!

The construction was done in an unconventional way.   I quilted the different pieces down onto the backing by working from the outside to the centre of the quilt!    As I chose the square as the initial design motif, I used it in the free motion quilting as well.    After completing the quilting and adding the beads to the bottom fringe, I realized that the quilt looked too heavy at the bottom....    I wrapped a short dowel with fabric and added a short beaded fringe to it which was attached to the top of the quilt which provided a good balance with the bottom beaded fringe.

Transformation - Glow Beyond the Scorched Earth 2009
Explaining the title........
Transformation:  I had to change my previous  way of working;
Glow :  I used lots of copper beads, wire & foil;
Beyond:  I had to delve deep within myself to accomplish this quilt;
Scorched:  Burning the edges of the fabric made this quilt happen like new growth;
Earth:  Referring to the earthy colours of the quilt and also a reflection of my personality....

Transformation - Glow Beyond the Scorched Earth 2009, my very first art quilt took about 6 months to make.    I entered it in the 2011 National Quilt Festival which was held in Stellenbosch, South African and I was gobsmacked when it was awarded Best on Show, Art Quilts!     

Transitions.....

It is amazing how one takes a step back and re-evaluate life during/after a health problem.    I was forced to adapt to a slower pace of living - and I actually liked it.....         

Suddenly I had so much time to think - a recurring thought was something that my friend Charmaine said to me once!     She challenged my creativity by telling me that there was so much more to explore and I was actually in a rut!   Straightforward....!   After thinking it through, I realized it was so true...    I realized that the realistic themed quilts really consumed me while I was creating them and I needed something less intense.    For the first time since leaving East London, I somehow felt lonely and had the desire to belong to a quilt group.   BUT...........

Personally I find it very difficult to fit into a mould and after discussing it with a friend, she suggested that I start a small creative group....     The idea stewed in my mind for a long time before I approached 4 friends to form an art quilt group.    Three of them accepted the invitation and we met for the first time in February 2009 and tentatively  decided on the route forward.   We named our group Transitions - Beyond Borders!   We meet once a month in my studio and spend the time experimenting with different techniques,  equipment, gadgets, concepts etc.     The emphasis is on exploring with lots of cross-pollination and interaction while having fun.    

Starting the group, we all found the transition  from traditional and innovative techniques to freestyle/fibre art a huge challenge and extremely intimidating.   We desperately needed to get out of our boxes - quite a journey for all of us....!    I think the success of our small group is the fact that we are friends, there is mutual trust and respect, we served on committees together (so we work well together) and we are equal members within the group.   The interaction at our monthly meetings is lovely and we discuss problems we encounter with our projects and share advice (and criticism) freely.    We decided to keep the group closed as it was an experimental group and we did not really know where the journey would take us...

Transitions - Beyond Borders Group
From left to right - Brenda Dickeos, Marilyn Pretorius, Elaine Swan and Nadine van Westenbrugge

We often spend our time playing in the studio.   Brenda loves surfing the internet and often shares very interesting information and ideas.    We have all now settled into our own routine which is very peaceful and feels just right.     In the beginning we worked on specific projects, but as we are all in different phases in our lives, it became rather stressful to be productive all the time...   

Forming our art quilt group, had a major influence on my quilting style.   Next time I will show and tell my very first art quilt...

 

Changing the Pace...

I've missed chatting to you...   Willem and I enjoyed a 3 1/2 week holiday on a road trip to Namibia and are safely back home after driving 7 272 km.....   I wrote a journal while travelling and am thinking of adding a page to this blog about the trip...    As you know, most of my inspiration comes from nature and I took so many photographs of trees, rocks, landscapes, old buildings, lights, old furniture and animals...    A lot of it might be inspirational for fellow quilters, let me know what you think ....  We saw beautiful carved pieces of furniture, ideal for applique patterns, lots of interesting painted walls with all sorts of stenciling....     You can find me on facebook under Marilyn Stevens Pretorius....

Back to my story - after the 2006 National Quilt Festival in Port Elizabeth, I was emotionally and physically exhausted.   Making the majority of my quilts are really such an intensive process of concentration and  labour which while in the process, would consume most of my time, thoughts and energy.    I have no pattern books to refer to and have to find my own way, very exhausting...    I felt that I needed something easy to stitch which would be ideal to unwind.....  I decided to handsew a quilt using a Japannese Folded method.    Using this method, the quilt would be quilted by the time it was sewn together - just what I needed.  I decided to make a quilt for my friend for her next birthday.   Planning this quilt was so easy and uncomplicated, just what I needed.   

While making this quilt, something else happened....    I experienced a terrible pain down my one leg and eventually was diagnosed with a prolapsed disc in my spine, a condition which had a severe negative impact on my mobility and quality of life.    In the meantime, I quietly sat and stitched this quilt, not being able to do anything strenuous as it immediately brought pack the terrible pain.    I finished the quilt in time for her birthday in March 2007 and I was so surprized at  how much I actually enjoyed hand stitching this scrappy quilt......   Yes, me who are so in love with a sewing machine.....

My friendship with Amanda started early 1982, we had babies together, shared tears, laughs, losing parents and survived the phase of difficult teenagers...!    The two of us share a very special bond and the friendship has always been very harmonious, open, honest and easy - so referring to the our friendship, I named the quilt Harmonie (Harmony)!
    

Harmonie 2007 

Towards the end of 2007, it was clear I needed a spinal fusion.   I would be in a corset for 3 months, no sitting, driving my car or going anywhere in a vehicle.   I could lie down, walk and stand.   Wonderful recipe for cabin fever....    I immediately realized that I had to prepare some hand work to do afterwards....    Being productive, time would pass quickly....


I decided to make a quilt for our guest room in greens, teal and purple using the Folded Japanese method.    I wanted to make a quilt with triangles and decided to join 4 squares in a four patch, then fold it over batting in a diamond shape which will have the effect of a block with 4 triangles....    I prepared most of the blocks before going to hospital and packed a small trolley in our bedroom with enough work to keep me busy for the first days back at home...    I was ready to keep myself busy with books, music, tv and some quilting.....    I got a pair of reading glasses as it is very difficult to read flat on the back with bifocal lenses.....


Soon I was home, pain free and doing some stitching,  flat on my back....   My stitches were not great, but I was not perturbed..    I was sewing and excited about my project.    Soon I was stronger and Willem moved the trolley back to the studio where I could stand at the worktable because the height is perfect for me.     Soon it became routine, I would be in the studio with all my quilting stuff around me early in the mornings, taking breaks to rest a bit and my daily walk in the afternoons.    Soon the 195 blocks were stitched, quilted and ready to be joined into a quilt.   It took almost a week to arrange the blocks in a colourwash formation.   I pinned the rows together in long strips using safety  pins.    It was such a sense of achievement to make this quilt, mostly standing.     I should have called it "Standing Up" but named it Happy Colours for Me as it truly is my happy colours.   The 3 months went by so quickly...

Happy Colours for Me - 2008

While I was making this quilt, I  had lots of time to think about my quilting...........