Piecing this one helps me practice making seams flush and dealing with small blocks. Ultimately I'll have to solve the problem when I seam the core. I am looking forward to that and the realization of a strategy for composing designs. FAQ is constructed in the same vein. The plan arose as a method to use up as much of my scraps as possible. It just happened that I discovered a stash of red and I have not gone back on carrying that theme. The method has formed a sense in me to look for patterns, sustain them, develop them, then graduate from them. Building a sensible outgrowth as a result of reacting dynamically with its environment? Perhaps.
Meanwhile the scheduled work for June begins tomorrow. It is El Gallo and I am at a loss to where I was. Hopefully not in the middle of developing a passage. I'm quietly praying that I stopped and completed the last section in a row. I'll move on to its neighbor tomorrow afternoon. Friend reminds again of using white thread and white thread only on this. Friend tells me to try to leave the black thread behind and see what comes about. No matter the color of the fabric he say, use only white thread. I've already started and the look curls my toes for the difference, not to mention feelings of marriage and a wedding to come about from it. Unfortunately the piecing was done in khaki 100% cotton. The quilting is in white. Mutual friend steered me away from my initial tack. Hand quilting to me is like drawing on paper, Trying to make volumes and movement out of black thread only makes sense like taking charcoal or ink to Mitsumata or some thick German deckled ware. I've been drawing on fabric since Sandy Brawner suggested that if I like hand quilting, why not try utility quilting. In other words, bigger stitches with thicker thread. I had displayed my second attempt at quilting to her. Even though I was using quilting thread, my stitches were traditionally too large. I di not fret or ho hum her suggestion. I went at it on the next quilt and decided to develop my own style. After several tries I was hooked on making stylize plant forms and flowers. Soon after I blew my mind with the medicine quilts by creating stitches based on animal track and sign. So, foregoing the black ink and charcoal, I'm trying something new. The symbolism I do not understand quite yet, but I'll arrive sharps and threads in tow.
I'm starting to get more curious about hand work. Problem and pitfalls are a beginning. I feel the need to write a little pamphlet or something. Not so much research a la Simplicity of Butterick, but tales from the poorly lit chair. Then bridge into a discussion about the embroidery stitches I am developing. A web search or two to begin tonight.
Hope this finds you well, if not better.
As ever, stay hungry and curious.