Posted in Fiber, Quilts, Sewing

When Does It Stop Being My Quilt?

Posted on by debthumanblog

When is a quilt not my work? When does a tool transform into someone else’s design?

I bought an embroidery machine. I knew I’d like it, I never knew I’d love it and want to use it so much. It has replaced my need to use fancy threads on all sewing projects. Now, all projects have to have embroidery. That’s not a bad thing. Even though I bought the machine, a Babylock Meridian 2, on sale and got a great deal, it wasn’t cheap. If I’m going to have an expensive tool, I want to use it a whole lot.

I found a fantastic sale on trapunto designs – 25 designs regularly $50 marked down to $10. I bought the designs. I started playing around with them wondering what I was going to use them for. Then, I realized, I could use them to make a quilt. Except is that my quilt? Or is it the work of the embroidery designer?

I used some scrap fabric and some thread that I’m not in love with to see how big the designs are and how they look when made.

These were all stitched on a quilt sandwich.

Next, I decided to see what size block the design would fit in. I marked out 12″ 10″ and 9″ squares and experimented. I used leftover muslin from a muslin I made for a dress pattern. Good thing I made the muslin because the size I thought would fit was waaaaaaay too big. Not wanting to waste fabric, I’ve used hunks of that muslin for all sorts of experiments.

The 9″ blocks won.

Then I started playing around.

I decided I dislike the font I used in the top design.

Better font and interesting design but I’ve no idea where I’d use it. Still, fun to play around.

I hand dyed fabric to make a blouse. I decided this would be a nice design to embroider on the blouse. I doubt I’ll use these colors, but I did get an idea of what I wanted.

Or maybe not. I’d have to change the orientation of this one, but I think it would be pretty on a blouse.

What about these? A different orientation could be quite pretty on a garment.

But what if I used more subtle colors of thread?

But back to the quilt question. If I use the designs for quilt blocks, is it still my quilt? Is it my work?

I’m linking with Nina Marie here:https://ninamariesayre.blogspot.com

My online store, Deb Thuman Art is here: http://www.DebThumanArt.com

My Spoonflower shop is here: https://www.spoonflower.com/profiles/deb_thuman

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I retired from the Public Defender Dept. November 12, 2015 after 16 health destroying years. Now, I'm a full time multi-media artist and writer on a new adventure. As an artist, I create with beads, fabric, fiber, and ceramic clay. Sometimes separately; sometimes in assorted combinations. You can find my on-line store at: www.debthumanart.com.

One thought on “When Does It Stop Being My Quilt?”

  1. I think of this issue like driving here in Detroit: lots of people can do it, but some are better than others at it. Someone else created the design, but you chose the fabric, placement, colors, etc. The result is your unique output.

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