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This is my interpretation of the Twelve by Twelve purple/yellow color play theme. Last January, the Portland Art Museum had an exhibit of current trends in design and architecture in China. I saw this bird and a couple of other items that were made with organza pojagi.
I have tried to enlarge the bird from a low res photo. It was lit from the inside and had a lovely glow. I was very taken with it and filed the idea away for a future project. And so I attempted to do my version of this.
I first painted silk organza with purple and yellow Dynaflow paint.
I then cut strips of the painted fabric and stitched them together.
At this point, I experimented with how to finish the pockets. I cut the strips into 2 1/2 inch pieces. I tried doing French seams, but it was not working for me. Then, I thought about leaving frayed edges, but for this piece, that seemed wrong. I finally set my machine to stitch the tightest stitch possible and then trimmed the seam allowance close to the stitching.
I fell in love with each of these little pieces. Each side was a lovely little composition on its own.
I decided that I had to finish the backing completely before attaching the organza pieces.
I used the cotton fabric that was under the organza when I painted it so it worked seamlessly. I did the back in two pieces and hand stitched the closure.
The last photo shows the two pieces handstitched together. I really liked this method of doing a backing. The rod pocket will cover the seam.
My next task was to lay out the organza pieces in a pleasing way. I wanted to interpret one of those crazy gorgeous sunsets with purples and golds.
I then did the overlapping on the background fabric, pinning and then basting each row in place. I did a zigzag stitch across the row which is under the next row.
I was not thrilled with how unfinished the top looked and decided to add a row of beads. Now, I wonder if that was a mistake. Here it is without. What do you think?
I love working with organza. I have other ideas for this percolating in my brain. Stay tuned.
My my, your Sunset is definitely Gaspingly Beautiful! It’s very generous of you to share.
I very much enjoyed seeing the process to this finished piece – very beautiful!
I really loved this one. I think it was my favorite of this reveal group.
Beautiful. Thanks for sharing your process.
Gerrie this is stunning. The best of the challenge ribbon goes to you this time.
You always come up with something so wonderfully unusual. The colors are beautiful and I think the beads add subtle touch of sparkle.
Nice work Gerrie.
Gerrie, that’s beeewtiful! And the beads are just right, they make it look more ‘finished’, I think.
This is simply elegant Gerri.
And I love to learn new words… Pojagi, how pretty.
The 12 by 12 concept is great… nice work.
I am enjoying them all.
Wow, Gerrie, that’s fabulous. You win for best quilt this time around, IMO!
This is astonishing and beautiful, Gerrie.
Love, love, love it….you inspire me!
gorgeous.
Gerrie, I said this on the 12 x 12 page… but just have to comment again.. this is amazing! And your tutorial made it all look so simple.
Great, awesome job!
I like the way you took the idea of the bird, lit from within, and gave it an entirely different interpretation. Fabulous colors and a great little quilt!
This is GREAT! I’m looking forward to seeing what you come up with in the future. It’s such a springboard for ideas. You make me want to try something!
so lovely… yum yum…love those colors! and the way you have put them together.
i am back from incredible morocco and not in full swing… am constantly inspired by coming to your blog… i will get back on track soon… just takes me longer than it used to!
Wow! The finished piece is fantastic! And your process photos are amazing as well! Thank you so much for posting!
It’s ethereal and beautiful, Gerrie. I love the colors together.
Your Sunset is so lovely. When I opened your blog and saw the piece, I gasped out loud. Beautiful.