Quilting Arts Magazine 'Barnyard/Fair' Reader Challenge

Quilting Arts Magazine 'Barnyard/Fair' Reader Challenge

The April 2016 Quilting Arts Reader Challenge asked readers to complete a small art quilt inspired by memories of fairs and barnyard experiences. I instantly knew that I would create a piglet quilt! I started my art quilt by sketching a piglet face on white muslin fabric using a black fabric marker.

I ironed freezer paper to the back of the muslin to provide me with a more stable drawing surface. Next I used Derwent Inktense Pencils to add color and details to my little piggie.

 I used bright eye-catching colors because I decided to call my piggie "Violet".

I just kept coloring, adding the grass in the background and the blue sky. I drew in the fence posts and barn. Its easy to get lots of color where you want it with Inktense pencils using a paint brush and water and spreading the color around and mixing it as you go.

After the painting was complete, I pressed the fabric to set the colors even though Violet will never get a bath! (no washing machine for her)

Next I added batting and backing fabric and started free motion quilting. I added in details with thread, including metallic thread for the barbed wire fence.

Here is the finished QA Challenge Entry  "Violet"

I am happy to say she has been selected as one of the finalist for the "Barnyard/Fair" Reader Challenge!  A sampling of the finalists' artwork will appear in the October/November issue of Quilting Arts magazine.  http://www.quiltingdaily.com/blog/page/2

Studio Sign with Derwent Inktense Pencils

Studio Sign with Derwent Inktense Pencils

I kept seeing reviews for Derwent Inktense pencils and had to try them. They are colored pencils that can be used on paper or fabric. Draw or color with them, then add a brush with water, blend, and the color gets more intense. So easy to use and to clean up! Anyways, I needed a project to try them out, so I decided to make a sign for my studio. I found a photo I took a couple years ago of our back yard. Seemed like a good photo to use - lots of contrast and good lines.

I used Corel Paintshop Pro to edit my photo to a black and white drawing and printed it, but any photo-editing software will work. I placed tracing paper over my black and white printout and using a fine tipped black marker, I outlined the parts of the photo I wanted to include in my art quilt. I then took the traced outline, taped it down to a table and placed my white cotton fabric over top. I taped this in place too, just to make sure it didn't move. Then, using the drawing underneath, I sketched the lines on to the fabric with a pencil. A lightbox could also be used, but I didn't need it.


I then created my quilt sandwich by placing the cotton fabric with the pencil sketch on top of 100% cotton batting and my backing fabric. I pressed and secured the quilt sandwich with basting spray and set up my machine for free-motion sewing. It is very easy, just follow the pencil lines and its not a problem if you go over the same line twice. It just gives it more of a sketchy look! Here is my quilt after most of the sketch lines were sewn in black thread.

Now the really fun part. Coloring in the scene with the Inktense pencils. So easy, it only took about 30 minutes to put all the color in. Here it is with just the pencil color, before it is painted with water.

And here is the result after painting with water. The color intensifies!

I set the Inktense color with my iron. Then I thread sketched the entire scene and added a satin stitch border. Here is my completed art quilt ready to hang on my studio door!