Quilt Stories: Fructos

Quilt Stories: Fructos

September 17, 2016

Some quilts have complex and rich origin stories. They have a long incubation and are the product of lots of “dream time.” Others not so much. “Fructos” is one of those others. … Read More

In Progress: Marabou Stork 3

In Progress: Marabou Stork 3

September 10, 2016

A couple major changes to the marabou stork to report this week.

First of all, she’s changed her gender. I’ll explain why in a minute. For the time being she will no longer be known as Oscar (as in garbage-loving Oscar the Grouch) but as Chloe. Marabou Storks are common in many parts of Africa, though they’ve been dubbed the unofficial bird of Uganda.

Quilt Stories: Gombessa

Quilt Stories: Gombessa

September 3, 2016

Over the next few weeks, I’ll be highlighting each of the ten quilts (plus marabou stork) going into my Specimens exhibit at this year’s International Quilt Festival in Houston. This week I introduce … Read More

The Finish Line: Completed Student Work 1

The Finish Line: Completed Student Work 1

August 27, 2016

One of the unfortunate realities of teaching fabric collage is that I don’t often get to see my students’ finished work. Only rarely do students complete projects in class. They get a … Read More

In Progress: Marabou Stork 2

In Progress: Marabou Stork 2

August 20, 2016

A few weeks ago I introduced a new quilt I’m working on. For now I’m calling “him” Oscar the Marabou stork. (Feel free to submit more formal title ideas in the comments below.) … Read More

Quilt Stories: Polka Dodo

Quilt Stories: Polka Dodo

August 6, 2016

“Polka Dodo,” a bird with an attitude, even though he’s extinct. At some point in their creation, my quilts take on a life and personality of their own—like children. This … Read More

Choosing Fabric for Fabric Collage

Choosing Fabric for Fabric Collage

July 23, 2016

Of course, while I must admit that I have such a broad taste in color and design that my husband sometimes says it amounts to no taste at all (I prefer to describe my taste as “eclectic”), I do have some broad guidelines for how I select fabric. If I had to break it down, I might use the following criteria: color, pattern, scale, and quantity.