Thursday 7 May 2015

TGIFF! - Codex

Welcome to TGIFF! It's been a crappy week in the Quilt Matters household so I'm especially glad that it's just about done and I can celebrate something positive. :)

This quilt began as part of two challenges for our local Modern Quilt Guild -- the Block Design Challenge and the Montreal Meetup/Modern Design Challenge. Running out of time but wanting to participate in both challenges, I shamelessly combined the two. ;)

More than most of my quilts, this was a therapy quilt. To me, the lines in it feel strong and hard and powerful -- the opposite to how raw I'm feeling these days. It's not a sweet or joyful quilt. Funny weird (not funny ha ha) how my other 'therapy' quilt Innocence Lost, Courage Found uses the same colours. Sensing a theme...or dare I say series?

As I mentioned in my last post about this quilt, the design feels like it's a code of some sort so I added hand stitching with some embroidery floss in spots to mimic morse code. The machine quilting, done with a 50 wt Aurifil 2460 using a walking foot, adds a crop circle effect, which we all know is a code from aliens from outer space. ;) The quilting is controlled and precise -- again in juxtaposition with how chaotic my life is feeling right now.


One problem I had with this quilt is bearding. Bearding is when the batting comes through the pores of the fabric. I think I may have put the batting on backwards. Oops. I've been using tape and clothing rollers to remove the lint, but as you can see, there's still some bits and bobs here and there. Hopefully it will settle over time and not get worse.


Finished size: 33" by 40".

Did you hear that Sew Sisters Quilt Shop is having a Mother's Day Sale? 20% off yardage on May 10. Who needs flowers or chocolates when you can receive fabric?!


17 comments:

  1. Sorry to hear you've had a crap week MR - I hope things get better. I love the quilt!

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  2. It's beautiful! I love what you chose to do with the quilting. I didn't know that there was a right side for batting. I hope life gets better. Maybe the weekend will bring in some joy with the show and mothers day.

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  3. Gorgeous details with the hand quilting! I'm sorry you're having a rough week of it, I hope things get better soon.

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  4. Your quilt is so interesting and modern. To honest it makes me feel slightly unsettled and that is a first! Fab quilting too.

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  5. It"s wonderful and very clever. Wishing you a wonderful weekend and a fabulous week!

    -Soma

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  6. I love the quilting you did! It is so perfect for the design. Beautiful, beautiful quilt!

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  7. Great little details with the hand quilting. Hope your week improves!

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  8. I love the graphic simplicity of your design. I hope things look up for you this weekend.

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  9. Always wanted to do a crop-circle-inspired quilt!
    Actually, haven't clicked there yet, but Twiggy and Opal looks to have some sort of alien message going on this week as well...

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  10. sorry to hear that things are rough, hope the sun shines again soon in your world.
    Batting in backwards?? Am I supposed to know which side is up?? YIKES

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  11. Love the colors and strength of your quilt. It definitely looks like it could be part of an alien codex or ancient and magical language. Sorry that it is in juxtaposition to a rough period. Hope things get better soon.

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  12. I realize the colors seem to be a symbol of difficulties in your life, but I love the berry color. Reminds me of spring and picking berries and, mostly, the stains on the hands. Prayerful that whatever your struggle right now that you find peace soon.

    As for the quilt, it's beautiful. Maybe combination quilts are your forte. Definitely your strength is the quilting! I noticed the hand quilting, but didn't realize that you "coded" it also. Brilliant! I teach English and we analyze poems because there's so much depth to them. I can see this quilt in the same way--lots of surface features but lots of depth and meaning, also.

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  13. Hope finishing this beautiful quilt make you feel much better. I feel better looking at this quilt. It is a beauty and the quilting is amazing!!!!

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  14. That is one very cool quilt! :) Love the hand stitching - don't know how you have the patience!

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  15. I love the simple and graphic design of this quilt.

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  16. I love this quilt... it almost looks like a Japanese symbol? Strong beautiful coloring supporting your design. Must be symbolic of you... strong under lots of stress. You've expressed this beautifully.

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  17. thank goodness we have quilting that offers us some therapy. Your quilt is beautifully quilted. love the hand stitched touches.

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