Gallery - Out on a LIMB
“Out on a Limb - Exploring, Stretching the Limits, and Learning” 49 1/2” x 51 1/2” by Jean Black |
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The quilt was designed and constructed as part of a special exhibition of quilts by Wendy Butler Berns and her students. My immediate reaction to this opportunity was one of angst, yet excitement of a major challenge. I put these emotions into the design, which is played out in the natural world of birds and insects. You can see the angst in the emotions of the mother bird as she watches her babies exploring their surroundings. They are busy learning about a variety of bugs, while a cat lurks below, hoping for a slip off the limb! The quilt features brilliant cotton batik fabrics for the background and border, hand painted fabric for the birch trees with Pebeo Setacolor Fabric Paint, and a variety of threads and beading for embellishment. Other special techniques used for the quilt include machine appliqué, hand constructed “fabric” using Solvy Wash Away Webbing, decorative free motion stitching, Texture Magic effect on the cat, and Crystalina heat bondable sheets and strips used for the beetles and dragonflies. The design and making of this quilt began in November 2009 and was completed in May 2010. Inspiration credits go to Wendy Butler Berns for art quilting ideas and techniques, and to Pam Keller for watercolor artistic techniques. The quilt will be travelling on display at the International Quilt Festival shows beginning in Houston, Texas in November 2010, and then on to Long Beach, California and Cincinnati, Ohio in 2011. Texture Magic, Superior Threads – Monopoly Thread (clear matt); Highlights – light blue thread-Miscellaneous beads and fibers Jean C. Black
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