Monday, September 12, 2011

School for learning: a journal quilt

click to enlarge
   The Journal Quilt Connection meets this week. I needed to make a quilt with a school theme, one quite appropriate for September. I just couldn't get started. I thought of my upcoming trip for a reunion with friends with whom I began elementary school  in Amarillo. The grandchildren were starting new schools in their new state. I wondered about new courses for everyone, my boys in NYC and Joe and myself.
   I was blocked. But to get started, I set out a sky background over batting and cut the two to 14" x 14." That would be the big sky of Amarillo, the Southwest and memories of school, first through 12th grade.
    Blank. I brought in Kaffe Fassett fabric pencils. Buying my school supplies (pencils and paper) was so exciting back in the 40's. I wasn't interested in clothes, just drawing. Where to put the pencils? I found black board fabric and sweet memories of lettering. But how to compose?
    The 9/11 tenth anniversary memorials were on tv and my piece came together. I ironed Wonder Under to the fabrics and cut them out, ironed them on, and quilted them to the batting. The backing was put on at the end and brought around the sides and stitched as I watched the memorials on television or listened on the radio.
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8 comments:

  1. AndreaSeptember 12, 2011 at 5:31 AM

    Absolutely BRILLIANT! Never in a million years would have considered
    turning pencils into buildings!

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  2. AnonymousSeptember 12, 2011 at 7:30 AM

    So clever - as ALWAYS - and fun to see. I love your mind meanderings :). ss

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  3. AnonymousSeptember 12, 2011 at 8:01 AM

    Fabulous quilt square. Loved your explanation of the process. Loved the resulting piece. KH

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  4. RosemarySeptember 12, 2011 at 8:13 AM

    Perfect! Absolutely perfect! The big sky is so appropriate for the Texas panhandle, and the mix with NYC and all of the school aspects - both remembered and present day - brings it all together. Your mind and your musings made it work beautifully!

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  5. AnonymousSeptember 12, 2011 at 9:58 AM

    I really like your school quilt! And I will get to see it this week in person. Looking forward to both Wednesday and Thursday evening. DJD

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  6. AliceSeptember 12, 2011 at 2:58 PM

    I agree with Andrea! Turning pencils into buildings: Fantastic! And I thought you were indicating to me via email that you weren't happy with this quilt! You must be delighted with it now, surely!

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  7. AnonymousSeptember 13, 2011 at 7:05 PM

    You were thinking of Amarillo, but your pencils became NYC. A perfect amalgamation. A lovely inventive journal quilt. I, too, loved the beginning of school. In those days we bought our own books (very expensive). All new. Always at the same drugstore. Norris Drugs. You brought back so many memories. Thanks, Linda. NM

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  8. CarolynSeptember 14, 2011 at 2:40 PM

    Linda, I love the mix between Amarillo and NYC. What a clever use of Kaffe's pencil fabric. He would be so proud of you! A great little quilt!

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