Friday, June 17, 2011

Inspiration Avenue: About as Romantic as I'm going to get

This week Stephanie asked us to be romantic for our Inspiration Avenue challenge entries. Although I don't yet have the loops sewn on that I'll use to hang it, this is about as romantic as I'm going to get this week. If nothing else, it's a good example of surface design and a good example of things I need to do better next time.


I began with some cotton fabric I rusted for last week's IA challenge, then added a bit of dyed wet wipe from Thursday's post. Over that, I added two more layers of rusted fabric in the form of lace and decorated/decorative tulle. I did some wonky horizontal stitching to add to the surface design, and because I wanted a bit of color in the top layer. Next, I took a partial wet wipe that had been dyed and stamped nonsensical words in rust (stamp was a prototype with no name from River City Rubber).

I had worked hard to this point on this piece and was really happy with the piece as it was progressing. Next I sewed a bit of vintage sheet music, a scrap of rusty lace, and couple of silk flower petals inside a piece of clear plastic. At this point, I was still liking the piece, even though I thought the silk flower petals were probably the wrong embellishment to go inside the plastic.

Because the final piece was clear plastic, I couldn't pin it to the quiltlet and I didn't want to glue it, either. Basically, I wasn't watching what I was sewing after I set it on the quiltlet. So, I have the plastic embellishment too low on the assembly relative to the horizontal wet wipe.

What to do? Live with it! I have too much time in it to throw it away. However, I'm going to attempt to cover the problem with tulle, in fact, if I have any left, I might even use the rusted tulle that I placed over the first wet wipe. But for now, this is as romantic as I'm going to get on this quiltlet!

Thanks for the challenge, Stephanie. At least I've learned a LOT this week.


Edited with update:

I spent Friday reworking this piece. I first cut away part of the lace around the flower at the top, then I sewed the decorative tulle over the top of the plastic embellishment. It helps to unify the color of the silk flowers with the wet wipe and hides the stark look of the plastic and its position on the piece. Then I added the back and the two tabs that will hold the quiltlet on a wall. Although there are still a few problems with it (the flowers look much better under a full spectrum light than they do from the scanner), I am finally pleased with this completed quiltlet. You may have to click on the photo to see the whole quiltlet because I imported it from Saturday's post.

19 thoughtful remarks:

Darla said...

I don't think the plastic/flower is placed too low. I can see that a lot of work went into this piece tho.

What happens to all the quiltlettes? Do they become pages of a book? Get framed as individual pieces?

Darla

sandra de said...

I think it is a beautiful piece.... Lovely seeing what you created out of your rusting and dyeing techniques.

ooglebloops said...

I think it's perfect in what you view as its imperfection!!!

Kirsty.A said...

Aaah. Now I see what the wet wipes were for. So clever

peggy gatto said...

Beautiful with layer upon layer of subtle colors, so rich!
Reminds me of an asian screen!

Jehanne's doodles said...

oh this is sooo romantic and vintage in look. It's perfect :)

steph said...

This is pretty, E...I love the stained look on the fabric....

Caterina Giglio said...

nice rusty color and it does have a soft romantic appeal...

elle said...

Happy sewing, Elizabeth. All is not lost. You are bit too much in the centre IMHO, so overlap something on the lower right corner of the plastic to draw the eye down. It's going to be great!

Julia Dunnit said...

I don't see lowness in relativity to the wet wipe on the horizontal. What?!! I see pretty and vintage and yep - romantic. Change not.

voodoo vixen said...

Leave it alone... it looks lovely and yes, romantic in a vintagey chic sort of way. Glad to see the wet wipes in use too!

~*~Patty S said...

Honestly I cannot see a thing wrong with this piece E!
It is splendid in every detail...Love the closeup view and you hit "romantic" beautifully with it as well!
You make me want to rust fabric right now!!!
I have some crocheted "flowers" that I thought about rusting...guess I just need to "do it" E style ;)
It seems tuille/netting is a lot like gesso in that it adds a mystery layer if needed.
Happiest of June weekends to you and Bleubeard!
oxo

Dianne said...

looks good to me...lots of texture and subtle color. well done!

artangel said...

I love it as it is, though rusted tulle sounds rather gorgeous! Beautiful piece - I love the aged effect you've created x

Unknown said...

I love this- especially the finished product! You made the right cal to cover the plastic- to me, it was too harsh against everything else you had going on and the flowers were a little distracting too. I also LOVE the stitching you chose to do over the tulle- brilliant idea! I can't wait to see what you have planned for this- a book, an exchange...who knows?

Unknown said...

I love how this turned out. the soft colors and the rusted fabrics are made for each other. The textures too .... It's all very constant and came together beautifully!

Unknown said...

After reading your newest piece, I noticed (duh!) the tabs for hanging, and I agree, it is beautifully completed now!

Victoria said...

Wow...absolutely so beautiful...and very special...love this old world antiquey-vintagey feel to it...just gorgeous!! Shine on!
Victoria

Gez Butterworth said...

This is so beautiful. What a wonderful piece :) I hope you don't think this is a silly question. How did you make the fabric rusty looking it is beautiful..xx