It is hard to believe we accomplished so much in a one day class. You are going to be so amazed at what we did. Not only did Sara and I finish our projects by the end of class, but we also enjoyed lunch out by Felicia's pool and a lovely walk in her vineyard.
We could have lingered out here all day, but we dragged ourselves back to our projects. Actually, we were all so jazzed up about trying to create something as beautiful as those projects that Tammie had shown us, it wasn't that hard to get back to work.
The first step was to organize the 12 fabrics from lightest to darkest.
After that was done, we were invited to take three strips from each fabric and place them in the little divided plastic boxes we had been given. We labeled the fabrics 1-12 and got to work. I don't know who that chick is in the background, but it just goes to show you all sorts of gals are interested in this method.
The first step after getting all our fabric strips was to tape together our mosaic patterns. Once the patterns were taped together, we were good to go. The pattern was a grid of squares with numbers--yes from 1-12. Imagine a Paint By Numbers canvas. We affixed a sheet of Steam A Steam 2 on top of the paper pattern and peeled off the top layer so we had a sticky surface to set our fabric pieces on. Steam a Seam is transparent, so we could clearly see the numbered grid of the pattern through it. We snipped away at our fabric, creating bits that we set on top of the corresponding numbers. It was mind blowing how fast this all went. We chatted, listened to music, and nibbled on snacks while we worked.
Susan finished first, with this image of a baby. She was so excited at her results!
Here is our instructor, Tammie Bowser, showing Melody's portrait of her beloved dog Andy.
Sara did a portrait of her grandmother, Nan. The effect is like an Impressionist painting, isn't it?
I worked on an image of Sara's brother Ahren. I was so excited at how well it came out, I was literally giggling with joy. I even forgot to take off my dorky glasses for the photo. Here is a close up, where you can see that the image is made of tiny squares and strips of fabric.
From a distance, the image takes on a sharper quality.
The final step is to fuse the mosaic to a piece of batting, choose a backing and machine quilt all the little pieces in place. You use three threads, a light thread on the light areas, a medium thread color on the medium value pieces, and a dark thread over the darker areas.
Isn't this technique awesome? Thank you Felicia, for providing this wonderful day, and for introducing us to Tammie and her amazing technique.
i def. have to try this!!! those quilts are amazing!
Posted by: jaybird | June 30, 2009 at 05:25 AM
I am amazed....I would really love to learn this technique!
Posted by: ranette | June 30, 2009 at 05:36 AM
Those are awesome! What a fun skill to learn!
Posted by: Dianne | June 30, 2009 at 06:14 AM
Yes, it is amazing what you all created!
The Mexican restaurant we eat at often has a couple of those "girls" hanging around. They do get around.
Posted by: Karen Beigh | June 30, 2009 at 07:05 AM
You make it look so easy.
Posted by: Susan Ramey Cleveland | June 30, 2009 at 07:32 AM
That is very cool and it's an amazing technique!
Posted by: Vicki W | June 30, 2009 at 07:59 AM
What great fun! But I guess I missed a step....how do you get the numbered grid for your photo? The results are amazing....I'd love to try it.
Posted by: Kathleen | June 30, 2009 at 08:07 AM
Nevermind! I read the post before and realized it was from a software program. Duh.....Thanks, Nicole!
Posted by: Kathleen | June 30, 2009 at 08:10 AM
All I can say is WOW! Where do I sign up!!
Posted by: Jean | June 30, 2009 at 09:14 AM
what fun we had!! I am so glad we did that...
Posted by: sara | June 30, 2009 at 09:33 AM
Such wonderful quilts...really amazing what can be done!
Posted by: sherri | June 30, 2009 at 09:44 AM
That is absolutely incredible!
Posted by: Carol | June 30, 2009 at 10:17 AM
Wow, how cool is this!
Posted by: Sharon | June 30, 2009 at 10:46 AM
Oh what fun! I would sign up for that in a heartbeat!! . . . (& I know that I would want to keep making them!)
xo, Bren
Posted by: Bren | June 30, 2009 at 11:14 AM
Wow, those quilts are pretty amazing!
Posted by: Lisa D. | June 30, 2009 at 12:02 PM
Very impressive impressionalistic quilts.
Posted by: Teresa | June 30, 2009 at 04:05 PM
WOW wish I could do that They are fantastic.PS you dont look dorky In your glasses.
Hugs Mary.
Posted by: Nanna mary | June 30, 2009 at 04:55 PM
Those tops are amazing! I can't believe you accomplished so much in one day. You sure make it sound fun and easy.
Posted by: Thelma | June 30, 2009 at 05:04 PM
What patience you have!! I love the quilts you guys made in class! Not so sure I could get through it- but maybe.....hmmm
Posted by: Peddlecar Quilts | June 30, 2009 at 11:20 PM
Very cool!
Posted by: pam | July 01, 2009 at 07:57 AM
Those quilts are awesome.
Posted by: Violette Severin | July 01, 2009 at 06:34 PM
Oh, the things you can do! These look so interesting, and you are right, like an impressionist painting...my mind is spinning with thinking of the choice I would have made, what I would have chosen to do, etc. Very fun to hear and learn about all this.
Posted by: Kayte | July 04, 2009 at 05:24 PM