I’ve finished up a series of four Thursday Night in My Studio Live! presentations, this past week highlighting my quilt “Crocodylus Smylus.” This 22-foot long quilt depicts a life-size saltwater crocodile. My Saltie is named Stevie (after the Australian naturalist and TV personality, Steve Irwin). For the moment, she resides on my studio wall, keeping me company, and was handy for the live presentation.
After a slide show talking about how Stevie was created, I continued with a demonstration of the fabrics I used in creating this quilt, then finished with a question and answer period.
I have included the slideshow portion of Thursday Night’s presentation as an update to this Quilt Story of “Crocodylus Smylus” (see video below). I have also made the entire presentation—an hour and a quarter long—available on-demand for $7.
For an up-to-date listing of current and past presentations, visit the front page of this website and scroll down to the Thursday Night in My Studio Live! section.
Enjoy the slide presentation update to this Quilt Stories blog post below. Take care, everyone.
Quilt Stories: Crocodylus Smylus (Update with Slideshow)
Quilt Stories: (Re)Introducing “Crocodylus Smylus”
Originally Posted April 1, 2017
I figured it was about time to introduce “Stevie”, my my 20 foot saltwater crocodile, to those who might not have seen her the first time around. And reintroduce her to those for whom it’s been a long time since they saw her. Here’s a brand new video I created especially for this purpose:
A year and a half ago I kicked off this weekly blog with the first of three posts about the making of my quilt “Crocodylus Smylus.” Writing the posts about the quilt was almost as big an undertaking as making it. Okay, that’s an exaggeration. However, there’s a lot of good information there: lots of photos, lots of technical descriptions, and even a time-lapse video which to date has viewed more that 56,000 times:
I made Stevie (nicknamed for the late Steve Irwin, Australian conservationist and “Crocodile Hunter”) in 2015. As always I work better with a deadline, so the commitment to have her ready to premier in an animal inspired quilt exhibit at the Wisconsin Museum of Quilts and Fiber Arts provided good motivation. Stevie has since gone on to anchor my special exhibit, Specimens, at the International Quilt Festival in Houston this past November. Before that she visited her (saltwater crocodile) homeland of Australia, then appeared on “Quilting Arts TV.” Currently, as you can see in the video above, she resides on the pinning wall in my studio.
Rather than repeat everything I said the first time around, I have created a reference guide with links to the existing blog posts starring or featuring Stevie. As you can see, she has been a busy girl. Have fun exploring.
Making a 20-Foot Crocodile Quilt: Part 1 of 3
Posted November 15, 2015
I begin to describe the experience of making my quilt “Crocodylus Smylus,” a life size fabric collage creation of a saltwater crocodile.
Making a 20-Foot Crocodile Quilt: Part 2 of 3
Posted November 21, 2015
I continue relating the experience of making “Crocodylus Smylus.” A time-lapse video shows the progression of piecing the quilt and reveals how success isn’t always a straight line.
Making a 20-Foot Crocodile Quilt: Part 3 of 3
Posted November 28, 2015
In the final installment of making “Crocodylus Smylus” I reflect on getting help and how it feels now that the quilt is done and living a life beyond my studio walls.
“From Insects to Elephants” (and Crocs)
Posted December 19, 2015
A visit to the Wisconsin Museum of Quilts and Fiber Arts where “Crocodylus Smylus” had its premier with over 100 other animal quilts by over 50 other artists.
Lights, Camera, Quilt!
Posted March 26, 2016
I got a small taste of life on set last week when I was invited to tape two segments for Quilting Arts TV, hosted by Susan Brubaker Knapp. Thanks to the crew at KS Productions, Stevie the croc quilt and I were both ready for our closeups.
On the Road: Melbourne, Australia
Posted April 23, 2016
I have to say it was the first time I’d been introduced to a cheering crowd accompanied by Elton John’s classic anthem “Crocodile Rock.” I guess that’s when I knew that quilters Down Under do it a little differently.
Specimens at the International Quilt Festival
Posted November 5, 2016
My experience during the four days of the Houston show, where Stevie made thousands of fans. I had fun sharing the show with visitors and talking with students, blog and newsletter followers, and fellow teachers. This post has been updated with descriptions and full-size images of all the “Specimens” quilts.
Reflections on the Houston International Quilt Festival
Posted November 12, 2016
Five (okay, four and a half) days at the International Quilt Festival in Houston. Five days of meeting and making friends. Five days of showing off “Crocodylus Smylus” and “Kaloli Moondance” and the rest of the “Specimens” collection of quilts. Five days of answering questions about technique and inspiration. Includes a “walk-around” video of the display and answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Stevie.
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