Last week I started a new art quilt as I felt I wanted to have something different going as a project in addition to Seaglass.

I chose a photo of a hibiscus flower that I took in Hawaii last summer. This flower was one of many at a beautiful botanical garden we visited on Kauai. I cropped the photo and played with it in Photoshop to get a poster size version in black and white and one that had a bit more contrast in color.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I traced the basic lines of the hibiscus onto muslin with a Sharpie and a light box.

 

 

 

 

 

I pulled out scraps of fabrics that I’m interested in using for the background of the quilt and cut them up with a rotary cutter.

 

 

 

 

 

Next I started my favorite part…arranging the pieces on the background using a dot of craft glue to hold the pieces on the muslin.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once all the pieces are glued, I’ll cover the top with a piece of tulle and then quilt it. This time around I’m going to layer it with black wool felt instead of a batting and backing.

I’m excited to work on this piece because I just love the photo and the beautiful colors of the flower. I enjoy the process of this type of quilting because it’s free form and relaxing to me. There are no rules and how it comes out doesn’t really matter. It’s the process and the journey and the remembrance of a special trip.

Happy Quilting!
Sandi