Challenge: Texting While Sewing

Have you ever entered a challenge?

I haven't.  I've meant to.  But I've never done it.  Mostly, I chicken out.  Other times, I just don't have time to finish or start my project...or so I say.  Maybe that's just another way of chickening out.

A while back, Amy Friend of Made During Quiet Time, made a blog post about a contest she was hosting.  It's called Texting While Sewing.  You can read about it here.  Amy does some pretty amazing stuff with fabric in general, but I've always been amazed at the great stuff she does with text fabric.  You can see some examples of that in her post about the contest.

Basically, the challenge was to create a 12-inch block using fabric that has text on it in a creative way.  You could design our own block, use someone else's design (and give credit for it)...whatever.  But you had to use fabric with words on it.

I asked Amy if I could make my own text fabric, because I don't have a lot of fabric with words on it.  And, I really wanted to make a journaling block.

Also, one night in July, when I was in Minnesota, I went for a walk.  I was, for some reason, missing Iowa, where I grew up.  I have felt that way off and on, ever since I went back to Iowa last October for my mentor's award.  I saw this sunset when I was in Minnesota, took a photo (above; admittedly not a great photo....with my camera phone and shooting right into the sunset) because I thought the corn fields were so beautiful (hard to see in the photo), and suddenly knew what I wanted to do for my block.  I wanted to do a journaling block that summarized what I missed about Iowa and that indicated corn fields.

I'm pretty nervous to enter this challenge.  I know I won't win any prizes or anything.  I don't think what I'm doing is all that "wow."  But, I felt so compelled to make this...and I knew I wanted to make a mini-quilt, not just a block.

Here is the block I made.  I can't believe how nervous it makes me to show this to you all!

(You can click on the photo to see it larger, I think....if I did things right!)

I'm going to call this little quilt, "Sometimes I Really Miss Iowa..."  My journaling on the block starts out, "Sometimes, I really miss Iowa....," and it goes on to talk about all the things I miss.

I wanted to do a big sunset, with rolling corn fields below.  I wanted to use my reflections on why I miss Iowa, in my own handwriting, to indicate the rows of corn.  The block, itself, isn't very exciting (my humble opinion).  All along, however, I had in mind to accentuate the corn rows with  quilting, which I'll show you below here.  Then, I'll go back to the block and work up to the quilting:

Here is how it looks (and how I envisioned it) with some big-stitch quilting to further accentuate the corn rows.  (Click to enlarge.)

Back to the block and its construction.  Here is a more "straight on" photo before quilting.  (Click to enlarge.)

Here is a close up of some of my text.  Prairie Lights Bookstore is my favorite bookstore in Iowa City; the Airliner is a bar in Iowa City I frequented as an undergraduate; Swaney Equipment was my grandpa's implement store; Vanourny Implement was my other grandpa's John Deere store; Iowa Book and Supply is my other favorite book store in Iowa City; the Irish Democrat is one of my favorite bars and restaurants in Cedar Rapids (I really, really love a good Irish pub); the Vernon Inn was a great Greek restaurant that we used to go to a lot in Cedar Rapids.  Get the idea?  Some parts are sentences that talk about what I miss about Iowa.  The rest is just free associating different places I miss in Iowa....

I can show you how I did it, if you'd like....

I started with these cool ombré fabrics (is that how you spell that?) I picked up at Gruber's when I was there on my retreat in July.  I was thinking I had bought more, but this is all I could find.  As soon as I finished the block, of course, I found two more fabrics that were more yellow and orange that I had planned to use.  Oh well!

First I drew what I wanted my block to look like.  (Click to enlarge.)

Then, I drafted this paper piecing pattern for the sun.

Here is how that looked.  I was too chicken to freely sew the curve.

So, I made a template for it and appliqued it on using Aurifil's monofiliment thread.  (I'll do a post on that part by itself later.  I have a giveaway for you, too!)  I fussy cut the ombré fabric so that in the sky, all the lights were near the sun, and the sky got darker as it moved away.  I did the sun points moving from dark to light.

I made templates for the hills (and for the round part of the sun).  I used a heat resistant template plastic.  The round part of the sun and the hills were all appliqued using the same strategy.  I cut fabric to cover the template.  I folded the edge of the fabric over the top of the hill, used some starch, and ironed that edge over to give me a nice crisp edge.  I positioned hill #1 where I wanted it to be, and machine appliqued it, using the monofiliment thread.  Then, I appliqued hill #2 down, and finally hill #3.  I did all of that on a muslin foundation.  I then trimmed my block to 12.5" unfinished.

Then, I wrote my text, following the lines of the hills, in an effort to indicate the corn rows.  Maybe in this photo you can see my tiny zig zag stitches that appliqued the hills on.

By the way, I meant to put the lightest hills in front, and the darker hills in back, to get the perspective right.  But then I realized I goofed and couldn't fix it, because I didn't have enough fabric.  So, I just went with it.  I thought, "Well, the sun is shining on that hill."  Sigh.  (Although now, when I look at the photo, the hills closer to me are darker due to the sun lighting up the fields in the back and the exposure in the photo.  So, maybe it's okay!)

At this point, I put some batting behind the block and added some detail.  I took some variegated perle cotton I bought and did some big stitching to further indicate the rows of corn.

Next, I added some machine stitching in the sun rays.  I knew I wanted rays radiating....so I thought straight lines here would be good.  I used Aurifil 50-wt thread for that.

Now I'm stuck.  I can't decide what to do next.  I don't want it to get busy, so my inclination is to keep the sunset fairly "low key."  My first inclination was to use lots of flashy thread and maybe some beads, but I'm afraid that would compete too much with the heavy stitching and journaling on the bottom of the block.  I'm thinking some rounded lines in the round part of the sun, and some more straight lines in the sky...all with thread that blends with the fabric, like I did in the rays.  What do you think?  I was hoping to have this finished before I showed you all, but I felt like I needed some advice.  So, I didn't rush it.

That's all I need to do.  Then, I'll put a backing on, bind it, and call it done.  I am going to use some of the ombré for the binding.  I think I'll try to variations of light to dark with the binding but haven't quite decided how...

Like I said, I don't expect to win any prizes with this.  My goals were to (a) submit SOMETHING, and (b) get out the urge to create this little quilt to express my feelings about Iowa.  I met these goals, so I am happy!

Am I happy with it?  So far, I think it's okay.  It does look pretty much like I envisioned it.  So, that is good.

But I know others came up with some pretty creative stuff.  And I'm in awe of that.  If you want to see them, head on over to Amy's blog and check it out.  She's having a Mr. Linky party with all the posts.  I know I can't compete!  But I feel good to have overcome my fear of submitting something.  I can't believe how much I feel I am putting myself out there with this!  Whew!

How about you?  Does entering a challenge make you feel really self-conscious?

Until next time,

 

 

Comments

[Shelly]

Challenges are hard, but I think that's the point of them -- to make you stretch beyond what you'd "normally" do, make you think and try new things, or grow with your craft. They're scary, yeah, but if you've learned something and done what you wanted, you're already a winner, no matter what the judges say. Yours looks great!

[terriaw]

This is a BEAUTIFUL block! I loved your inspiration photo but I think your block turned out even better. I love the colors you put together. I love the journaling, making this so much more personal than using any old text fabric. I love the machine stitching for the sun's rays, and the big perle cotton stitches for the corn fields. This evokes such a wonderful feeling, making me want to go to Iowa to find that feeling.

Entering a challenge would make me feel very self-consious too. My fall semester has started, which means teacher and class critiques of my work, which is a lot like entering a contest. Very nerve-wracking. But a great way to grow and learn how to make your work better... and most importantly in my mind, express yourself.

[jenclair]

While I think challenges are a great idea and that they often make you think out of the box, I only plan to enter and never do.

On the other hand, I do benefit and often work on a project inspired by the challenge.

I love your block, the ombre fabrics are lovely and fit your inspiration so well. But my favorite part is the text--your journal entry is such a wonderful touch.

[Brooke]

You are AMAZING!!! Love your block and how it turned out!! Job well done!! Hooray for you!!!!

[Sue]

Very sweet, Stephanie. I think something like this is good for those who have transplanted elsewhere in their lives. It gives perspective, I think. It's a good reminder of those things and places that have made up a good part of our lives and it is your heritage that can be passed along for future generations.

[carolld]

I love your block and what you've done. Thanks for showing the step-by-step. I'm not sure it needs anything added. When I look at it the only thing I think I might add (just try it to see) is a small embroidery flower in the crook of the hills. It would be like saying the sun is shinning on me. Anyway, I love challenges. It makes me stretch. Sometimes I'll try a new block I've never tried before just to get the experience. Good luck on the challenge.

[Amy]

Gorgeous and stunning are words that come to mind. I love the way you used the block to journal. I also think that the colors and fabrics are so beautiful. Thank you for accepting an uncomfortable challenge. I think you should be proud!

[Doris]

Why do you miss Iowa? Because it rocks, and your awesome new friend Doris lives there... Seriously, though I laughed when you said you missed the smell of pig farms! (Thankfully I don't have to experience that smell very often, but I doubt I'd ever miss if it I didn't!) I remember you talking about your inspiration for this at Grubers--LOVE seeing the almost finished product. And I think for the most part you are far too hard on yourself. The sun looks perfect, the vision of the rolling hills of corn rows comes across beautifully... Not sure it needs too much else.

[Lynn]

WOW! I love it! I'd do simple echo quilting in the sky and call it good. Challenges are intimidating. Kudos to you for entering!

[amandajean]

this is such a wonderful block, stephanie! you did so great! i love that you made your own text fabric. (it's making me smile especially since we had the conversation over the weekend of you putting yourself on a fabric ban...and it was neat to see how you worked around your lack of text fabric rather than going out and buying some!) The chunky hand stitching is fabulous! good for you for pushing yourself out of your comfort zone by entering a challenge. yay!!!

[Marilyn]

Beautiful block! Such gorgeous fabrics and your text fabric is awesome!!

[Jackie]

Seriously... we both did a post on challenges today? Um... this wreaks of BFFness... just saying. K, I went to the challenge blog.. and looked, and my fave was #13... honest, sorry to be so blunt. But it just flows, and it has meaning and really it is a total eye catcher.
If it doesn't win a prize, I will honestly be dumbfounded.

[Account Deleted]

Stephanie,
I think this is very cool! I love the use of the text. I don't think you have anything to be nervous about. You are very talented. So go put your talent out there!

[Cindy]

Oh my gosh!! I absolutely LOVE your block! The idea behind it is beautiful and your design....just absolutely stunning!! And I do understand being nervous, but honestly, you have nothing to worry about! Good luck!!

[Kim]

Your block is very impressive -- and personal. You did a great job! And I love that you explained the whole process.

[Sue]

Your block is very touching and original ...using your journal text and original design . Your emotions about Iowa come through the fabrics. And you are so creative to make your own block pattern!

[Maureen]

You are so, so talented!! I love your block and decided I don't think I should show you any more of my quilting because I am such a novice!

As for advice (don't think I should be giving it), I would go subtle and let the block do the talking with your rolling words. You are amazing!

[Jaclyn]

Thanks for your sweet words! Your block is simply brilliant. I love how creative you were with the challenge and made something so special too!

[Allie]

Stephanie. You. Are. Brilliant. I love this so much I can't stand it! Now I want to do one about the beach I grew up on in summers. You are such an inspiration to me!!!!

[liveacolorfullife]

I think this is an absolutely stunning block. Wow. THIS is why you are on a creative team and I am not! But I'm sure glad we are friends!

[Donna]

I missed this post previously! Your block is gorgeous and the story is wonderful. You are so creative! I hope you win ;)
Hugs
Donna

[Debbie B]

I love your block, Stephanie! You are so creative and I love how you expressed yourself in the script. I miss Iowa, too, and thinking of those things I miss is one way to keep it close. You are creating a fabric journal. Great idea! Thanks for sharing.