Michael Miller Fabric Challenge for QuiltCon

I have been working on my QuiltCon quilt using the Glitz fabric from Michael Miller. I am excited to be almost done - just need to finish the binding. This was a fun design to work on. I had the design in mind for a long time, but I knew that I would be using neddle turn applique and waited until after my workshop with Carolyn Friedlander to start my Michael Miller Challenge appliqué. I love the process that I went through, designing and constructing the quilt finding my own identity as a quilter. I believe the saying that there is nothing new under the sun. Sometimes I see an idea in my head already similarly contructed by someone else. Sometimes that's discouraging, but it is also good to challenge myself to take my own approach. I try to think how else can I explore that subject.

On this design, I used a very familiar image: an Alexander Calder mobile. However, I took my own approach by incorporating the blue background as a representation of an Ellsworth Kelly work because that's how I saw one particular Calder floating in front of a grand blue and black EK panel at the Pulitzer Museum in Saint Louis. I love the combination of the two artists and the contrast that the flat painting had with the organic 3D mobile.

For the back, I used Michael Miller's Cotton Couture solids, resembling another EK work with two large curves. The Cotton Couture fabric was wonderful to work with and the hand/feel is amazing.

The last step on designing the quilt was figuring out the quilting. I opted for the organic rippled lines, but I had a lot of fun designing different quilting ideas. Tip: I usually sketch or print my design and make copies that I can color and work with pencil. This gives me a set plan and helpes me to divide the space into smaller areas, which makes quilting it easier.