Tuesday, September 11, 2018

Hoffman Challenge (just barely!)



The Hoffman Challenge has been around for 30 years, but I just learned of it this year at my local quilt shop. As I posted before, I've challenged myself to put myself and my work "out there" more, so I decided to enter. And I got in just barely...submitting my entry at the deadline by a minute or two. Yep, serial procrastinator, deadline crammer here.  Hoffman announced after judging for this year's challenge that 2018 was the final year of the Challenge in the current format.  I'm glad I entered and interested to see the next iteration!


I decided to enter without knowing the background of the event, the typical number of entries, the "look" of past winners, the judging criteria, etc.  I just decided to go for it - play with the challenge fabric and see what happens.  It was a fun, creative, learning process.  There were around 350 total entries. My quilt made it to second round, in-person judging.  It did not win any awards but will be one of 250 or so entries in the traveling trunk shows.  I'm happy with that outcome and hope I can see one of the trunk shows around me!  I listened to a podcast recently about the history of Hoffman and really love the family and traditions focus of the company!!
Nice letter, and a few gifts!
This year's fabric is from the Shine On collection, a digital print of rainbow-colored jewels, on both a white and black background.  I used both the white and black background fabrics along with a diamond print from the collection and a Radiant Gradient for the background. 

The challenge fabric (L) and another print from the Shine On collection (R).
In the end, I used all Hoffman fabrics from my local quilt shop (Stitches in Glendale, Ohio) including for the backing, faced binding and hanging sleeve.



 My design idea actually started forming last year.  For a local mini quilt challenge, I planned to create a mini inspired by the Rose Window on Cincinnati's Music Hall. [I didn't follow through on that idea, or enter that challenge, so I've bettered my follow-through this year!]  What I love most about quilting and sewing is choosing fabrics and colors and shape, so this challenge let me exercise all those aspects!


I hand drew my English Paper Piecing pattern for the rosette, with an initial plan of making only a half-rosette with radiating negative space.  That idea morphed over time into a full rosette on a gradient, gridded background.  It was a fun process to try (at least) 1000 different ideas and be satisfied with the end result.  I took plenty of pictures to remember how the design progressed, and am glad to be able to look back later.

Old School Curves, pencil and a string.




I played with the rosette layout quite a bit along the way and for some reason was really stumped on what to do after the blue round.  I kicked around a few ideas with scraps, some that seemed "too much" (the one below) and settled on a simple thin border of the purple gems on black background that echoes the pink/black inner border.


Once I finished the rosette, the next challenge was background.  After thinking over several ideas, I  landed on the gridded layout of Radiant Gradient fabric, playing with value. The rosette is fussy enough, so I wanted the background to add some harder lines and contrats.  Thank goodness for iphone photography. Instant pictures are so great to help with the design decisions.

The winner!






For the quilting, I added straight line quilting with variegated black/grey thread on portions of the grid to mimic the gradient effect of the fabric and add some dimension between the quilted and unquilted grid portions. Before applying the rosette, I did some tiny hand-stitching with metallic thread to echo each gem in the rosette.  Under the rosette, I used an extra layer (or two?) of batting to add a trapunto effect. It's definitely not a flat quilt!


Tuesday, August 7, 2018

Curated Quilt Mini Challenges

As mentioned in my last post, I decided to take some risks with my creativity.  I've entered a few challenges to put myself and my work "out there".  I've been sharing more online and in person when I can attend a guild meeting.  I participated in the #IGquiltfest on Instagram which is definitely a put yourself out there (feel vulnerable 😨) sort of exercise!

I had some success with one of the Curated Quilt mini quilt challenges. For each print edition, Curated Quilts puts out a call for minis from their readers.   The theme of the challenge was minimalism and Curated Quilts provides a color palette. It was the first challenge I've entered and was happy to have my mini chosen for the gallery in the magazine and great timing also meant that my mini hung at the QuiltCon booth in Pasadena.  Woot! 

Curated Quilts provides a theme and color palette for each challenge.
The challenge process, although my mini was teeny-tiny (finishing 10"x10"), was a great creative exercise.  A challenge!  I had some ideas going in and the finished work was nothing like my initial idea.  The work changed as I went - pure play -  with fabric, color, shape. As my ideas grew and became decidedly not minimal, I edited.  When the design began feeling too "fussy", I knew I had to pull back.  As a result, thh final work is quite minimal.  A simple but impactful shape, minimal quilting lines and a quiet binding.  

My friend Abby sent me a pic from QuiltCon!
The finished design was sort of accidental, or maybe better-stated -- experimental.  I wanted to play with a grid idea and picked up a couple of cutting scraps, arranged then, and voila, the idea solidified.  A simple raw-edged grid with shot cottons.  Texture + Color + Simplicity. 
The finished mini.  


I've entered a couple of the other Curated Quilt challenges since and my work wasn't chosen. It was okay work, but I think I was working toward a deadline rather than just being creative and stretching.
For the Triangles challenge, I pieced linen triangles and then did some fun variegated walking-foot quilting.  
For the Connections challenge, I revisited the shot cotton grid from my first challenge!  I liked the random weaving of this pieces and the raw pinked edges. I want to do this on a larger scale. 






Tuesday, February 27, 2018

Modern Sewcialites & Why I Sew

Recently, I joined Modern Sewcialites, a membership group with Stephanie at Modern Sewciety.  I've been a longtime listener of her podcast and appreciate her friendly and conversational approach. I also respect that Stephanie is open and honest about her goals to build her business and connect the sewing community. I am happy to support her efforts with the new Modern Sewcialites venture and I'm always up for connecting with other makers!

The Modern Sewcialites includes a Block-of-the-Month.  January's block was our word for the year.  Rather than a word, I chose a phrase "DO IT".  Meaning if I want to do something, I just need to go for it, put myself out there and take risks, whether it is creatively or in other parts of my life. I lost my mom in August to a (short) 9 month battle with leukemia and she lived her life, both before and during her disease, with bravery and independence. She did things like travel across the country solo, buy a log cabin, etc. and I’m so glad she marched to the beat of her own drum.  I learned that if you want to do something, don’t put it off. Too often, I go the safe route. I want to make 2018 a year of action and bravery for myself! More to come on that!



For February, we made this sweet heart block, and Stephanie prompted us to think about and discuss what we love about sewing and being creative.  For me, that is a story that has evolved over time.  In junior high school, I took home-ec class because my grandma did, my mom did and my sister did, and it was just the thing to do.  In 2009, I started sewing again after being inspired by my cousin who had fallen for the modern quilting movement.  At the time, I was mom to a 4 year old and desperately needed a creative outlet, something that was "mine".


One of my first garments when I started sewing again. Circa 2009!

I promptly dove in, buying up fabric and patterns, and taking over the dining room.  I dabbled in a little bit of everything, mostly clothes and bags and small items. I started this blog to document my projects.  My attention to sewing ebbed and flowed over the years and really picked up in the last four to five.  I found a group locally that connects me to others. I became active on Instagram which keeps me engaged and in awe of the goodness of creative makers out there.  Then a few years ago, I finally tried quilting. A previous post chronicled that initial journey.

A Mothers Day gift for Mom.

The past year and a half, sewing has taken on a new role - still a creative outlet, still something that is "mine", still providing a way to connect to others.  However, I now recognize sewing as therapy.  It drives something in me, the playing with color and shape and producing beautiful work. While my mom was sick and in treatment and eventually, in hospice, it gave me an escape.  And after a long day or week at work, I'm ready for some creative time. Since my mom passed, it has been somewhat healing to my soul. 

And, this is why I sew. 




Favorite Makes from 2017

While I wasn't blogging in 2017, I was definitely making!  A little of this and little of that.  All with plenty of color.  Here are some favorites.
Building Block Dress by Liesl Gibson
Another Building Block Dress
Wine tote...with cork!


Tall Tales Block by Kate Basti

I-spy for my nephews

Self-drafted Mid-Century mini

Sew Mojo Mini by Suzy Quilts

Doorstop...practical and cute!

Improv for my guild's QuiltCon charity quilt

Rug + Mug swap gift for guild

Beginnings of LaPassacaglia