meadow's ebb

"meadow's ebb"

completed october 8, 2016

Do you remember the "ebb" workshop I took with Carolyn Friedlander in July? I hadn't taken a class or workshop in ages, and I was so excited to gather with friends and learn some new techniques! I remember the fun of packing up my sewing supplies and setting off for Burlington early in the morning. You can read about the beginnings here. What started out as a practice piece for her class has turned into a 30"x 40" quilted wallhanging.

Ebb tide is the time between high tide and low tide, 

when the water drains away from the shore.

I tried to create a bit of that with some denser quilting (above). 

It was fun creating negative space (a common feature of modern quilts)
by piecing neutrals from my fabric stash.

(hello ginkgo leaves!)

I even incorporated a worn out bit of Marimekko bed sheet.
(The light grey and white).

Some old linen found it's way in to the wallhanging,

adding a bit of texture.

 

It's no wonder the ebb wallhanging and the table runner 

I stitched a while back get along so nicely,

They share some fabric bits and pieces.

Earlier this fall, our Vermont Modern Quilt Guild was invited by the Champlain Valley Quilt Guild to mount a special exhibit at their show. Thirteen of us had quilts hanging at the Champlain Valley Expo Center last weekend.

I struggled a bit with the decision to show my wallhanging. I'm still haunted by an experience I had in high school. I had worked for ages on a collage made of tiny squares, each hand painted a different shade. I was really happy with how it turned out, and was delighted when it was selected to hang in a show at a local mall. Then I had one of the greatest disappointments of my young life.  My art teacher, Mr. Quincy (we all remember the special ones, don't we?) called me in to his office. He said, "Karen, I have some good news and some bad news. The bad news is that your collage piece was stolen. The good news is that someone liked it enough to take it with them". I'm not sure I actually agreed with Mr. Quincy's take on things, but I know he was trying to soften the news for me.

I did hang a piece in July and it stayed put, so I am working on this trusting-the-public thing.

Long story short...check out this wonderful piece from our Vermont Modern Quilt Guild website. You will be blown away by the stunning beauties that "meadow's ebb" hung alongside. Be sure to scroll through and read about all the talent in our guild!