Happy Wife - Happy Life


Ethne at Flaming Stitches is hosting a Charley Harper QAL. She obtained permission from his estate for us to reproduce his work as long as we don't sell the finished product, and since I've always loved Charley Harper's work this seemed like an especially fun thing to join. 

I didn't do any research of any kind before I began, I just looked for some images of his work that I really liked and picked a couple to duplicate based on only one criteria. In the hope that they turned out well enough to display, I imagined a group of pieces to hang in our bedroom as BSP likes Charley Harper too.


I chose this particular image because it's perfect for our bedroom. I began by creating the background out of the most LUSCIOUSLY soft wools - both are made in Italy and feel like the softest thing you've ever imagined.


After a lot of trial and error, I managed to make some paper patterns - I drew the outlines free hand and then just kept enlarging them until they were an appropriate size for my panel (which, finished is 21 x 22.5"). I made three of each pattern, one to use for the fusing, one for the background, and one to use as a guide.

The first thing I did was to fuse a length of cream broadcloth to Heat n' Bond, and then cut out the whole pattern of the birds and nest. Then I fused the pattern fabrics (cream cotton, beige wool, grey silk and black satin - no reason for those fabric choices other than that I had scraps that were usable in those particular fabrics).   


I then cut out those inner patterns in the appropriate colours, and ironed them on to the cotton broadcloth.  In the case of the feathers, once that was done, I then cut the feather shapes too.



The black accent pieces and the white twigs were free hand cut, out of white satin (for the nest bits) and a silver flecked velour for the twig.

Once the entire piece was ironed/fused, I sewed each piece down individually.  I wondered at that point whether quilting the piece would "ruin" it - and frankly, I don't think it added anything to the piece, but at least it didn't "ruin" it. 

(and here's the original for comparision:)





I've made a companion piece to match (not yet quilted) which is not a copy of Charley Harper's work, but uses elements of it in order to have a matched set.


I'll show you the quilted version later this week and will show you and then when they're framed for hanging I'll show you that too.


So how was your week? What have you been up to?

Give us a link in the comments below.

:)

Anonymous

No comments:

Post a Comment

So, apparently I'm open for business again. :) Say hi if you like!

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.