I'm wondering what exactly constitutes an art quilt. Are there any rules? Or is it whatever you make and call an art quilt? Because I was playing around with some Tyvek while I was working on a techniques page for a RR journal project. I think I might have made an art quilt, teehee.
Okay, here's what happened. I painted a 11 x 14 piece of Tyvek in pretty colors, very loosely painting a red flower amid blue and green and yellow background. I decided to put it under the sewing machine and free motion stitch all around the flower and very randomly stitch some circles and swirls. Then I thought "Hmmm. What would happen if I heat this with an iron?" So I did. But I heated it too much and it came out fragile and holey with large areas burned away. It almost hit the trash bin at that point. But since I'm a bit of a freak about throwing stuff away... it stuck around a few days. Then I found some fine red tulle on the remnant rack and I thought "Hmmm. What if I put the tulle over the Tyvek to 'capture and hold' it so it can't fall apart?" Guess what? I LIKED IT! After stretching the tulle over the Tyvek (which was placed on a piece of raw white canvas) I free motion stitched the entire piece using gold metallic thread. And I only broke the thread 5 times! Yes, I used a needle made for metallic thread... it just didn't like the thickness of the melted Tyvek and the thick canvas. To capture the edges, I just zig-zagged the tulle near the canvas's edges, which were left as fringe/fray. I'm considering adding some beading to it too... haven't quite made up my mind...
What do you think? Art quilt? or just a save of some junk better off in the bin?
Yes--it qualifies as an art quilt. Three layers: tulle , tyvek, canvas!!! congratulations, you've made an art quilt!!
ReplyDeleteI don't know anything about art quilts, but I really like what you made. That tyvek is interesting stuff to work with. Now I am curious to try playing with some envelopes I have made of the stuff. I love the colors you used - it is very appealing and beautiful!
ReplyDeleteLove the result. Your persistence and willingness to experiment paid off and encourages me!...bea
ReplyDeleteDefinitely an art quilt. It looks fabulous. Well done.
ReplyDeleteWow! definitely a keeper! Here is my dilemma (and the reason I'm a journaler) How much wall space can one have...LOL Where will we hang everything? Lori from Sketchbook
ReplyDeleteI have been working in an art journal for years and years before I knew what I was actually doing was art journaling!! HA! i say call it what you want--it's your creation--and you can label it any way you please!
ReplyDeletePS I really dig your blog!!
Big hugs!