52 prompts to blog every week: Week 17

I am a self taught quilter. There are techniques that I have learnt myself, ones I have learnt from the net, ones learnt from others at quilt meets and Quiltcon, some I have dreamt about and then a few more...

Of all of them, I love the technique I use in my book,'About face' the most. Its a kind of reverse applique, but then, not quite so!

I used it for the first time in my Harry Potter quilt.



I have made portraits with it and written a book and taught classes, both online and in person.

The first portrait I made using the technique was that of Steve Jobs. I made the iQuilt for my little brother. 



And then I also made this portrait of Alex Veronelli of Aurifil Threads! He was brave enough to be the subject for my eBook. I had the pleasure of meeting him at Quiltcon and handing over the quilt I made for him!

I have been taking classes to teach this technique, both online and in person. My students have come up with brilliant works of art!!!

And I'm really proud of them.

Here are my students at the Bernina Creative Center, Mumbai.





So this is that one technique I love and cherish the most.

Here's a small tutorial.

Supplies : Fabric - minimum 2 of the same size, thread (that matches either of the fabrics), a pair of SHARP scissors (I love my stork scissors for this one), seam ripper, temporary fabric marker.

1. Draw the design onto the topmost fabric. I suggest you take the lightest fabric on the top.

Now using the thread, I use Aurifil monofilament thread, and your FMQ foot, stitch through all the layers of fabric. Use a small stitch length. On my BSR I use a stitch length of 1 - 1.5.

Now use your seam ripper and/or your sharp scissors to cut away the layer(s) according to your design. Take care to cut as close to the stitch line as possible.

I use the seam ripper for tinier areas that I need to cut away.

Here's the result :  On the top is my reverse applique piece and on the bottom is the original print.

If you want to know more about creating portraits using this technique, I would highly recommend my own book (how modest!).

You can buy it here at Fat Quarter Shop

Which is your favorite technique? Do share about it so that we can all get to know it!

Cheers!!!

Bloggers Quilt Festival : Applique Quilt

Hi! Its that time of the year again!!!
Amy form Amy's Creative Side painstakingly organizes an online Quilt Festival for all those who cannot attend the live ones - so that we do not miss out on all the fun!!!

Go on to her blog to check all the categories and vote for your favorite one when the voting starts! Voting begins on May 23. So mark your calenders. Of course in the Applique Quilt Category, I'd love if you vote for my quilt, but in the other categories, you can vote for your favorite one!

Here's the quilt that I'm entering into the festival!!!

iQuilt!

This quilt was done using a Reverse applique Technique. In this you first stitch all the layers together and then cut away the parts that you do not want.

iQuilt is based on the famous photo of Steve Jobs by Albert Watson. It was a gift for my Apple crazy brother!  And he sure was so happy to have it!!! I had managed to keep it a surprise for a long time between when it was completed and when it was given to him!

The size is 24" x 30" and it is made from just 3 shades of fabric - White, Grey & Black.
Making the beard part was a nightmare with so many tiny pieces!!!

But I'm so proud of my work!!!

Name : iQuilt

Size : 24" x  30"

Photo : Steve Jobs by Albert Watson

Techniques used : Reverse applique

Material Used : Fabric (3 shades - White, Grey & Black), Aurifil Thread (again 3 shades White, # 2625 - grey- and black all wt 50), Tulle

Made on : My Bernina 330!

Experience : Amazing! Trying a less used reverse applique quilt for a portrait did a lot to boost my confidence!!!

Do you like it???

If yes, then vote for me  after 23rd May!!!

iQuilt!!!

Today we're celebrating Bhai Dooj in India. It is a day of celebration of the relation of a brother and sister... I had made a VERY special gift for my little brother!

But before I show you what I made for him, here's a run through his reactions to it!!!

 The tag read "For the world's BEST BROTHER, from the world's BEST SISTER"
 

 

He just LOVED it!!!

Do you want to see what I made for him?

Here's my latest creation iQuilt!
 

Want to see more? Scroll down...



Want to see some more??? Scroll more...

 
Little brother with his iGod!!!

It is a portrait quilt 24" x 30" made using 3 shades of fabric. I made this one using the reverse applique technique. It sure was a challenge to make it, especially the beard part. But I thoroughly enjoyed making this one! It was a quilt that challenged me, and I always love challenges!!!

 

I did a small photo session with the iQuilt before I gave it to Chaitanya!

 

 Do you like it???

I do not understand the story behind that actually awkward pose! Believe me, I have spent hours in front of the mirror trying to make sense of it! But this man had style enough to make it look so comfortable!  He was a true icon!

Why would I gift a portrait of Steve Jobs to my little brother? Because he's a HUGE fan of his! Believe me you have to be a fan if you always had clean and crisp textbooks at the end of the school year and yet you read THREE biographies of a single man!!!

And the fact that Chaitanya started #includetech, and develops Apple applications, makes it even more relevant!
Verbs, Steps and Appetite are just some of his releases...

I am truly happy today... Not just because I made a challenging quilt, but because this is the second time I made something that has a lot of sentimental value for someone close to me!!!

It gives me immense satisfaction!

Here are the quilt stats :

Name : iQuilt

Size : 24" x  30"

Photo : Steve Jobs by Albert Watson

Techniques used : Reverse applique

Material Used : Fabric (3 shades - White, Grey & Black), Aurifil Thread (again 3 shades White, # 2625 - grey- and black all wt 50), Tulle

Made on : My Bernina 330!

Experience : Amazing! Trying a less used reverse applique quilt for a portrait did a lot to boost my confidence!!!

Do you like it???