Scraps of cardboard, a paint brush, pencil and an old library card are such simple tools, yet they've allowed me to make basic print patterns on fabric with textile printing inks. Mixing my own colours and playing with printing techniques has added some childlike fun to plans for my next quilt which features prints by various Australian designers (here and below).
Rediscovering the value of quilt magazines has been a pleasantly surprise, especially when wanting to explore the Australian quilting scene further. Down Under Quilts, Australia's first patchwork magazine, features three national quilt exhibitions in each edition, as well as news of upcoming quilt challenges and exhibitions. Every issue comes with a free gift and several step-by-step projects. Another of their regular inclusions is 'Meet a Blogger' which covers three pages of questions and answers along with numerous photos. In Issue 172, released last week, I am the blogger featured. Being invited was an unexpected honour, the whole process proved to be quite thought provoking. Our regional library, and maybe yours, carries Down Under Quilts, a great way to have a look before deciding on a personal subscription. A very warm welcome if you have found me through Down Under Quilts - feel free to have a look around, leave a comment or say hello by email (piecesofcontentment at gmail dot com).
Last but not least, I'm making steady progress on hand quilting 'Set Free', something which I will enjoy more now that our recent spring heatwave has given way to cooler days.
Sharing at WIP Wednesday.
25 comments:
Oh wow!! Big, big news!:):) What an honour, so thrilled:)
Congratulations on the article, I really like the printing too
Wow you are a celebrity quilter. So you should be your work is fabulous. I believe hand quilting takes a long time.
Congratulations on your magazine feature Karen! What an honour!
Congratulations, that must have been a strange but exciting experience. Most deserving I think, as you do really think deeply about your designs and processes. Looks like the fabric printing may be addictive.
Dear Karen,
this is a special moment to see your Photo in the book. You can be rightfully proud what you has been achieved. And I' glad to see your sympatethic warm smile. Now I have a nice face, when I visite your interesting blog.
I Wish you continued succees... Send you a smile back :)
Welcome back after a short break on a blog associated with going on vacation and married his son. It's nice that a magazine that you value and is helpful to you, published an on an article about you. Regards.
So thrilled for you Karen - a well deserved honour :-) And I love the fact that you are adding your own hand printed fabric into this new quilt - great idea!
Bravo! Nice fabrics, great result, and wonderful article!!
Oh my goodness, Karen ~ what an exciting honor!! Congratulations :-)
looking forward to see what you've done with your paints....
Congratulations on your new found fame. I'm surprised with your knowledge that you are not a regular contributor.
You're famous now. Congratulations. Looking forward to seeing this quilt too.
I love your printing ideas, I think this will give your quilts a whole new dimension. And congrats Karen, what an honour!
How wonderful! Congrats!
så kult, du er kreativt !
How wonderfully creative of you to make up your own prints to go with your treasured Aussie fabrics! And I am super excited to hear about your feature in Down Under...how exciting!!! Happy happy for you, all around! :)
So lovely to see you featured - will have to grab a copy of this mag so I can read some more!
:)Congratulations!!!
Congratulations on the magazine feature. I really enjoyed reading it and learning more about you. I know you'll have fun creating your own printed fabrics.
Karen, thank you for letting us know about your magazine article inclusion - this such an achievement for you and also such a benefit for the quilting community to learn about you and the skills you have to offer. During the last few years you have taken such brave personal steps, and this is just an example of one of them. It goes without saying how proud I am, from this part of the woods, of you. Renee.
Congratulations, Karen!
This is truly well-deserved.
Hi Karen, I'm visiting from Rachael at Blue Mountain Daisy. What a treat your blog is! I've signed up thru bloglovin so I get to read more. Thank you for your beautiful pics and easy reading posts and I'm loving your quilts!
What an incredibly well deserved honour, Karen! You certainly have found your niche in creating so many gorgeous quilts. I love reading about your creations and watching them unfold.
Including below my response to an email enquiry regarding the printing/stamping above - some little helpful tips and a link.
Thank you for your interest. I am just starting out playing but have explored a few types of printing in the distant past. There seem to be no rules, although a few things to remember are to wash your fabric prior to stamping/printing (to remove any sizing etc), use a paint/ink which is made for use on fabric (the one I chose is solvent free and utensils wash out in water) and follow their directions for heat setting etc (ironing). Resting the fabric on an old cloth/tea towel was helpful while stamping as it provided a softer surface to work on and absorbed any ink which passed through the fabric.
I ended up using a small paintbrush to enable me to apply an even coat to my stamping item. I also blotted the finished printing with some scrap paper to remove excess ink, choosing to embrace ‘imperfections’ as part of the handmade appeal.
No doubt different techniques would work better with larger printing surfaces too - maybe using a sponge/cloth or brayer to apply the ink/paint evenly. Maybe I will explore further and post a tutorial one day but for now, you will find much inspiration in the link below.
http://www.clipzine.me/u/zine/92365252337841096007/DIY-Stamps-Patterns
I hope you enjoy experimenting too!
Karen
Congratulations on your magazine feature! You do such wonderful work!!
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