On December 27, 2015, I just finished the free-motion quilting on a new piece,
"Bedroom Dressings." Then on January 12, 2016 it was accepted into
"Dressed," a juried invitational group exhibit that will be on display at the
Jewish Cultural Center in Chattanooga.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyOhQzDdeawXw7W52FRllQezhHFy7Sv6VqFcTAXGT-BwvV9kqliah2z_RG7M175qkjWfAI6tHK7NsbtmAcSIIJMoZzvEm30HYuoXy233V0gDQoIlLJOuPvObyZ6Kk_tdVFNHnVe1IFHmM/s400/BedroomDressings_det5.jpg) |
Detail of free-motion quilting on my piece, "Bedroom Dressings." |
The exhibit
opens Thursday, February 4, with a reception with the artists, and
runs through March 11, 2016. When I dropped off my piece, the curator said there were 50 pieces (in all mediums) representing 26 local and regional artists. So, the exhibit should be quite diverse and interesting!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkwpRX9XUK3s3dWtuK9_WTN2xxu2C6v3aVMald8jOYlaJAk43sc2DVp-WFMyzjBqw9WUPtqe6ScyZew5vZLPom0-29hr7IxLxk4-lpwZb02GnAStvvPJ95qRm8SWceeRhyphenhyphen1D0fo7mQPto/s400/BedroomDressings_Full2.jpg) |
"Bedroom Dressings"
24" x 30" by Veronica Hofman-Ortega |
My piece, "
Bedroom Dressings," is comprised of an assortment of vintage linens—four orphaned quilt blocks, an unfinished embroidery, a linen dresser scarf with a filet crochet edge—appliquéd on a vintage cotton pillowcase and free-motion machine quilted. The piece pays tribute to the talents of the unknown makers from the past and I like to think my contribution of free-motion machine quilting not only helps to unify the composition but somehow links us needle artists—through the love for our craft—together. Here are a few detail views of the lovely handwork by the anonymous needleworkers.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw9Nhc73QQYzHWbjhH_4DvYxUfXM0lz5wPt7PNht2yidt1eWV14yRY17XkcaEa68zMOvIUSPbuVc14gA11bYUO3q-lygQRLzPcwKGBsX_1pEfrttq7FNfdnmLJjMiRxkbsUQW1u5jX7gs/s400/BedroomDressings_det3.jpg) |
Filet crochet and crochet lace edgings. |
I started this piece in October of 2013. (See how life gets in the way of completing a project??) Luckily it resurfaced during a re-org of my studio.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_pEjFAJHo5xQuYMqzO1HT4W_Hmyk6lVXL7rOL_YqWsPxpRIPtoT7cGpEdPziZ1xOKmsEBt90B1aif4wfj8iR6zYMcIfvQN9h0TafSCDkfq64KhyIRJLwAdn-6Cd3_Gz1XdEZkqASyzHQ/s400/BedroomDressings_det4.jpg) |
Hand embroidery (center) and orphaned quilt blocks (circa 1940s). |
These are the original vintage pieces that I chose from. They were cleaned (hand washed), pressed and repaired in a few places. Then I began the composition and the appliqué.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP7rlxHwIhrt2d2XaJC386duRLeAmpWTjPf9ex0Mo4xzQZTPXusYErGVKHUtPeqH66ri2rPAp37ONcaBd8Hi6askgUd2YmvcwF5NEda_7yGVwj61MWysbYx2TRFor2MuFq6erUuveaOHc/s400/originalvintagepieces.jpg) |
Original vintage linens for "Bedroom Dressings." |
I had to mimick some of the embroidery to extend the design from the center square.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvoQao5-ZXJ7yp2wDVMetvPtFIQaAbzMxDEde0lt9XalSkr1O-_ndumAdzS2Eo8WBZYC1_INA0dRe3mzyeK0-tQlyPBLcFilqHmlWR6Z10ldsJk9u6uhJ0Do7a3fGGq7Bd2O7_-gj2tGo/s400/BedroomDressings_det6.jpg) |
Hand embroidery, orphaned quilt blocks and free-motion quilting. |
This is a view of the back. The vintage cotton pillowcase was wonderful to quilt on.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeYw8HdAbTRN1c48pSG4JqQv0C8NlUOEtFkp-OxaPhPZawYUt1fA43GhUQPjWVdjAZIDZ-MGaGzzY7kdJ7EWGXtypONjMx7hBIfxGKTBOcOmhCEXdnkfs2F9i1lex7X2iMAVy4h-4Gfcs/s400/BedroomDressings_back.jpg) |
"Bedroom Dressings" back view of free-motion quilting. |
Quilt stats:
- Project started October 27, 2013. Completed December 28, 2015.
- 14.75 hours of free-motion quilting
- 3 bobbins
- Bottom Line 60 wt. polyester thread in the bobbin
- Masterpiece 50 wt. cotton (yellow) and Bottom Line polyester threads on top.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9qHnoIgx9eYv7Jj8aKe2EFPfDsFwLUgIG2xroIFrix7vGzp7RKa1LFEZGVNuqT_6omSvN9Wt3UNa2sY0dQ9c6oEOzffOfPvs83QRNupwQTaBhoFwWvlhb6Hr9lDs912Te46nAgyHVbr0/s400/DressingsSleeve.jpg) |
The 2-piece hanging sleeve was made from part of the pillowcase. |
A segmented hanging sleeve was made from a leftover piece of the pillowcase. Can you see the original lace trim on the lower edge of the sleeve?
Below is the postcard promoting the exhibit. I hope you can stop by the
Cultural Center to see all the art—up close and in person.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIsmAJz1t53BgAqnzDv4HdaZvnEYBAzG4sTOM4EkPyVXHbvehDUMpBF89guvKNV6mhfKF9MQeGJBlGcwogIX2gYPGnsLIBwhJA6bfZ0BuYJ9zLc1vyNrkWM9N2UTQQ51g5fu0P-NRdbCE/s400/Dressed_e-Version_150dpi.jpg) |
"Dressed." An exhibit of unique art pushing the boundaries of the theme.
"Tables are dressed. People are dressed. And much more…" |