Saturday, May 19, 2007


Quilt Rebel?

This morning, 4:30, too early to start sewing, too noisy. So I sat and looked at my recent unfinished projects.

But I am very unhappy with my machine quilting. The stitches are big, uneven, almost random. I should get better with practice but I want to do too many things to practice that one thing enough to get good. I want to play in an orchestra on several instruments tonight then tomorrow afternoon play bluegrass...fast! But I can play "Mary Had a Little Lamb" on lots of instruments.

I love to use free-motion quilting like drawing or doodling or embroidery. I make art quilts because I don't like the level of precision that traditional quilts and traditional quilters require. I can match points and hand quilt with small even stitches, if not tiny, but the overall composition and quilt as a painting are most exciting to me.

That’s my story; I am trying to doodle on a quilt with stitches. It's a sketch. I meant those stitches to be big! After all I am making ART QUILTS! Is this the height of self delusion, obnoxious snobbery, spin, or rebellion?

6 comments:

Sharon Lynne said...

Hi Molly,

It's nice to meet you. I'm honored to have an artist visting my blog. I can't draw or create as you do--what a beautiful quilt!

I love books, too. But I have never tried making them or binding. How interesting! I live near a large library where there are thousands of old books. They are experts at book preservation and binding. If I had another life I would love to learn more about that!

Alis Clair said...

Well I looked at the picture first and thought what wonderful stitching. So your doodling is great.
I love the colours in the quilt too.

Good luck with the orchestra!

Jeanette Nord said...

Yep! Definitely ART and definitely a rebellion! Great stitches! Go figure!

K said...

I'm with you, Molly, be free to be an artist in quilting--precision stitching not required! Freeform, artistic stitching most welcome! I think your quilts are very refreshing, as is your other stitchery. Wonderful stuff!

e.beck.artist said...

oh heavens! of course it is art! ....it might be your spin to convince yourself...but all artists do that self doubt, self talk, self encouraging thing.......
your quilt looks fab!

Anonymous said...

I think that like most people, you are way too hard on your work! I LOVE the handmade, hand-designed look.
I can really identify with your frustration about so many things to do and wanting to do them all NOW. My mantra is "NOT ENOUGH TIME"! So many fun things to try and so little time!
Mistress of Longears