Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Rusty Scrap Quilt--50th Post Contest

As I was cutting off the edges to my weekly quilts, I couldn't bear to throw the beautiful pieces in the trash, so I decided to use Pauline Burbidge's (and others, I'm sure) method for joining quilt sections with a zig-zag stitch, then I edged it with a loose zig zag. I also drew circles in several places with a zig-zag stitch to tie the pieces together. I think this would be nice attached to mat board (turquoise maybe?) and framed. Anyway, it was quick and fun and I like the way it looks. I might add some more zig-zag circles. Let me know what you think.

Oh, and I just realized that this is my fiftieth post. To celebrate, I'm going to give away six fat eighths of my hand-dyed Radiance fabric. You can see the colors in the earlier post. Just post a comment, and I'll draw names on Friday and contact the winner for her/his address and then send them out. Thanks for helping me celebrate.

37 comments:

Suzanne Sanger said...

I love your 'recycling' here! I'm often at a loss about what to do with things I've cut away. You've opened a new door in my mind. Thanks!

Suzanne Sanger said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Sherryl said...

I think what you did with the scraps is inspiring. Great idea for when the muse decides to take a vacation.

Norma Schlager said...

Yes, I can see this mounted on a turquoise background. It would make those rust tones pop. I'm working with rusted fabrics today, too.

Unknown said...

Definitely turquoise...or maybe some of that luscious Purple hand-dyed velveteen....that would add a nice contrast in texture and give a different quality I think...You could stretch the fabric over a piece of matboard like you mount needlwork...or something.

Lisa

Art by Rhoda Forbes said...

Love the rust dyeing, it is something I am trying for the first time today.
The bit of color with it is beautiful. Congrats on your 50th post :)

Ferret said...

Ooooh I would love to give a good home to some of your hand dyed fabrics. I also agree with no throwing away scraps of quilts, I save mine and do all sorts of things with them. I always tell students that the waste costs the same per metre as the piece you used :)
Congratulations on reaching your 50th.

Diane Wright said...

I'm voting with the overwhelming majority...your recycling is inspiring. I hate to see beautiful hand dyed/rusted/painted fabric go to un-appreciated.
Thanks!

ps. and 50 posts is nothing to sneeze at either.

Carole said...

Looks good...a great way not to waste the tid-bits...[I am considering inchies...].
Congrats on your 50th post!!
Thank you for sharing.

Anonymous said...

Your little quilt looks great. I found it hard to throw away trimmings also. I assembled mine between tulle so they would hang as separate channels. You can see it here http://lcroswell.wordpress.com/2009/01/24/my-first-juried-exhibit/ if you're interested

Lois Jarvis said...

If you will send me some rust dyed Radiance I would to be included in your drawing.

Jan said...

I save everything- thread ravelings, snippets,you name it. Love the turquoise with the rust. Congrats on your 50th!

Unknown said...

enjoyed seeing your results with "leftovers". Sometimes I think my leftover projects end up better than the original plan.

Ebony Love said...

I really love this piece, especially the zig zag circles. Would love a shot at hand-dyed fabrics!

JillW said...

I really like the shape of this piece -- i think it might look good against a purple-y color similar to whats in the piece? I have SUCH a tough time throwing anything away, and now you've shown me that I might not have to! Perhaps this is not a good thing... :-)

LouBird said...

Congratulations on the 50th post! I recently found your blog and have enjoyed watching what you've done with the rust dying.

It would be interesting to see the piece on different backgrounds. Perhaps a dark turquoise or maybe even a darker color.

wlstarn said...

I agree that it would look good on turquoise (since rust is orangey, turquoise is a near-opposite, and those almost always look good). Your dyed radiance is beautiful. Of course, I'm a big fan of intense color.

Fulvia said...

Yes, turquoise or even a certain shade of olive green ... Thanks for the giveaway and congratulations on your 50th post.

Pam Geisel - For Quilts Sake said...

Love this piece...especially the zigzag circles (which I think there's just enough and you don't need any more). Very contemporary!

neolasdaughter said...

What a great recycle project.
And congratulations on you 50th post.

Karen Stiehl Osborn said...

I love these scrappy strips --- great use of the offcuts!

Linda Laird said...

Dear Lori,
I hate to throw away the "quilt crusts"; that fabric wants to be art, too.
Sometimes the best stuff is the accidental stuff.

Linda Laird

Anonymous said...

What beautiful rust dying you have. My daughter could not believe these were your scraps. I have some recently rust dyed fabrics but have not decide what to do with them.
Great Ideas for leftovers.

Karen Newman Fridy said...

Fun composition with your rusted fabrics! Congratulations on your 50th post...here's to many more

MRose said...

Ah, you've created something wonderful with your scraps. Putting it on turquoise or some sort of dark bluish-green would do quite well. Thanks for posting your pic.

Nightstitcher said...

I rusted my first piece of silk the other day, with a bit of tea, and it seems to need a bit more color, so I'm thinking of following your example and overdyeing it. The color in my head is a dusty rose. I love your small works on this page.

bethany garner said...

Hey Lori... As a "novice" hand dyer I just have to say how long I have admired your beautiful and delicately coloured hand dyes - so now I HAVE to celebrate your 50th post with a HUGE WooHoo!Love your new work...
Bethany

Michele/TextileTraveler said...

I love what you've done with your rusted and dyed fabric. Great work!

Anonymous said...

This is very cool.. I just rusted some fabric this week.. I used turquoise fabric and it worked pretty slick

bybethstudio said...

Wonderful blog. I've done one try at rusting...came out pretty neat...haven't used it in a project yet.

Lori Gravley said...

Eeek. With all the discussions about replying to comments on blogs, I'm feeling quilty. I wrote many of you a reply e-mail, but then I got kind of lost in the traffic, spun around a few times, and then sat down on the side of the road. I'm so glad that you guys like the way I recycled. I can't wait to try a turquoise background. I'll try to catch up on my comments later, and I can't wait to do the drawing on Friday. I'll let everyone know on Friday evening who the lucky winner is. Thank you for all your kind words.

Anonymous said...

I tried to find your email to answer your question .....about the rusted fabric on my blog.. the turquiose fabric was just that ...rusted on the right.. the fabric on the left was natural and had some bits of rusting but, the black was the leafed tea.. I posted another photo on my blog of how it looked with the tea... of course I used a fancy tea.. that was all I had...

Debbie said...

I really like your little rusty quilts, Lori, and your use of the circles. What a great idea for the scrap pieces! It looks like an intentional piece of art. I'm going to start saving those pieces. Please count me in for the drawing. Congrats on your 50th post.

Rhoda Taylor, vwmret@zoominternet.net said...

I thought I posted a comment but don't see it. I really like your rusted pieces - especially the fact that you didn't quilt them to death!

Lori Gravley said...

Nightstitcher, I think the tea dye and the dusty rose will be beautiful together. I love the quilts you've made with your handpainted and dyed fabrics.

Debbie Krueger said...

What a great idea. I have leftover pieces from other projects and now have an idea of what to do with them!
Contrats on your 50th post!

Lori Gravley said...

Michelle, Textile Traveler, is the proud winner of the drawing. And Connor, the official pick the paper from the basket person, loved the name of her blog, so he was glad that he picked hers. I didn't get her address until this afternoon, so I'll send the fabric out on Monday. Congratulations, Michelle. I can't wait to see what you do wit it.