This is the story of how I go about making one of my wallhangings.
Wallhangings |
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On this page I will try to explain how I make my wall hangings, using the last one that I created as an example. I am often asked where did the idea come from? What techniques do I use? How do I know what to do next? Did I make a sketch first etc? For the last month or so I've been working on a wall hanging called Monsoon. I had the beginnings of an idea for this work two years ago so was really pleased for the opportunity to get it out of my system
Click on images to view full size image. |
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The initial idea came from a skirt I bought in the sales at the shop Monsoon. I completely fell in love with the fabric, I gave no thought as to whether it looked good on me, or if it was my size, no no, I just bought it because I loved it and it has hung in my wardrobe ever since with the sale label still attached, this beautiful silk fabric just hanging there. Then the idea started to grow, I would love to make a wall hanging about the monsoon season using this fabric as the key fabric. So here (above) we have the sketch. I never do detailed sketches-just a flash of a sketch that probably means nothing to anyone but myself, it's just the first wild thought on paper. The written notes around the sketch are lines from a favourite song and from a poem I wrote about a particular summer experience as a child. I intend to incorporate these in the quilt. The next thing is to make a detailed drawing that is to scale which will be used as a template (above middle). I usually use decorator's lining paper for this as it is strong but when placed in front of a window it is also fairly transparent making it ideal for tracing. This template is the key to the whole work I will come back to it many times to trace different areas for paper piecing |
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| There are many decisions to be made at this point and I give myself plenty of time to really think this out as it is crucial. I'm asking myself which colours I will use for the back ground, what will be the key colours, which fabrics to incorporate etc. I then return to the template and trace off the lines and shapes that I will use for the back ground, these are cut out and used as foundation pieces . The next picture (above rmiddle) shows these pieces cut out, tacked to the paper and sewn together |
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| These pictures (above) might seem like a great leap forward but all you are seeing is the same process of going back to the original template tracing all the different shapes and using these as foundation pieces which are tacked to the chosen fabrics. All of these pieces are then placed onto the back ground and using the template as a guide, tacked and then sewn into place |
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| Now here comes the part that I truly love, the embellishments. Firstly it's quilted then painted and finally beaded. For the quilting I tried to emphasize the feeling of movement imagining the raging wind blowing every thing across the quilt. This was further enhanced by the painting. It was at this point that I started to painting the words from the poem onto the wallhanging. |
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| To view other wallhanging commissions click on the images below |
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| I am available for wallhanging commissions for birthdays, leaving and retirement presents, children's rooms etc just email me using the contact page and I will ring you. |
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