Guild Challenge: Tear, weave, quilt, applique, electrify!

Battery holders, alligator clips and LEDs may not seem like the traditional tools or materials used in quiltmaking... but with the technology advancements in soft circuits, it's very feasible to add electronics to quilts, wearables and other fiber art. I did!

Alligator clips and test leads hooked up to a battery and soft switch on my Challenge quilt.

My latest quilt, A Light Touch, was created in response to my guild's Challenge this year and it incorporates electronics along with traditional quilting materials such as cotton batiks, threads and batting. This is an overview of my process.

A Light Touch.
2019 Choo Choo Quilters Guild Challenge.
18" x 23"

Guild Challenge Parameters
As with all Guild Challenges, participants in the Choo Choo Quilters 2019 Guild Challenge were given certain parameters or guidelines to follow when creating a submission. Through a round robin fabric swap, participants received a total of one yard batik fabrics—7 different batiks in various sizes. A bit of each fabric had to be used in the final piece.

Seven batik fabrics required for the Challenge.

The Challenge was issued at the February guild meeting, and my thoughts were about creating something that was dimensional and had an unexpected element to it. My impetus was to employ aspects of a mixed media workshop with Michael Brennand-Wood I attended in June, but I must have also been influenced by samples I made for a Art Weave class I taught in March.

Weaving the top.

Since the original batik fabric pieces were torn, I continued with the frayed edge concept and continued tearing the fabrics into strips approximately 3/4" wide. My fabrics had a good range of values—lights, mediums and darks—so the plan was to create a woven gradation of color. Sometimes smaller strips were sewn together to get the needed length for weaving.

Preparing the Quilt Sandwich
After weaving the top, I had to figure out a way to keep the woven strips in place. The quilting would solve this. A variety of variegated threads [40 wt. and 50 wt. cotton] were chosen in colors to complement the light and dark areas of the weaving.

Auditioning thread colors for free-motion quilting.

A piece of batting was cut to the size of the woven top. The backing fabric was wrapped around the edges of the batting to enclose them and give the piece a finished look.

Batting enclosed with the backing fabric.

This batting/backing piece was layered with the woven top and pin basted.

Top, batting and backing pin basted.

The sandwich was free-motion machine quilted.

Free-motion quilting.

Appliqué
There was still one more fabric to incorporate—this orange batik with the circle motifs.

The final fabric to incorporate into my Challenge piece.

I anticipated appliquéing the circle motifs to the quilt top. In keeping with the torn edges of the woven strips, the edges of the applliquéd circles were pinked. Extra batting was stuffed under the appliqué shapes for a trapunto effect (satisfying the idea of a dimensional piece).

But I still wanted to push this piece to another level... This is when the idea to add electronics surfaced.

Adding Electronics
The circle motifs seemed an ideal place for LEDs (light emitting diodes). I had six appliqués to work with:

• perhaps two or four could light up with LEDs,
• maybe all of them would light up... 
• maybe they could blink... 
• could a switch be incorporated? 

It was getting more intricate... but it was exciting and I didn't want to give in... Once I entered the Wonderland of electronics, it was like going down the rabbit hole with Alice.

Appliqué motifs pinned in place.

Interactivity and Soft Switches
Thinking it would be *cool* to make the piece interactive, I was challenged with making a soft switch. Activating a switch (pushing a button or flipping a switch) would close the circuit and make the LEDs illuminate. It might be interesting if one switch illuminated two LEDs and another switch lit up the other two. Was I making this too complex?

The next step was to devise the schematic of the circuit—with 4 LEDs, 2 switches and the battery (power source)—to see if my plan could be executed. The composition and placement of the appliqué circles needed to be preserved, so I had to figure out the best placement of the power source and the traces (connections and paths for the electricity). I enlisted advice from friend and fiber artist, Geri Forkner, about the circuits and placement of the electronics. Geri has done extensive work with soft circuits and incorporating electronics in her weaving and felting art. [Thanks for your guidance and advice on this piece, Geri!]

Drawings of the circuit schematic.

Although aluminum foil could be used for the switch, with a week before the deadline, I found conductive fabric online and ordered it. Sewing with the conductive fabric was a better solution than adhering aluminum foil to the batik fabric. 

Testing the switch.

The soft switch was first tested with the alligator test leads and a battery. It worked well.

The LED lights when the switch is engaged.

LEDs were inserted into four of the trapunto appliqués. Two of the appliqués were un-stitched to incorporate the new soft switches. Actual buttons were stitched to these two circles (so viewers could "push a button"... get it?) . Then, conductive thread was used to hand sew the circuits (from the back of the piece). All circuits were go!

Button switches.

Do you push buttons?

Usually, educated viewers respect quilts and fiber art pieces and do not touch them when they are on exhibit. For the Challenge display at the guild meeting, however, I added a "Do you push buttons?" sign to encourage interaction with my piece. 

Viewer interaction at the Challenge exhibit. 

During our guild's Challenge Reveal, each quiltmaker gives a brief explanation of their piece. I talked about the LEDs, the coin battery, and stitching with the conductive thread (some people think wires are used). For me, determining the circuit and stitching the electronic components took more thought and time than making the quilt itself. 

But, this is what a Guild Challenge is all about: trying something different, expanding your skills and stretching your abilities.

Label for "A Light Touch."

The Chattanooga Sewing Guild takes to Art Weave

Spectacular Art Weave pieces were blooming at the Chattanooga Sewing Guild this Saturday! 

Art Weave workshop with the Chattanooga Sewing Guild.

Usually, I am called to teach my Art Weave workshop for quilt shops or for quilt guilds. But this time, I had a multi-talented as well as multi-disciplined group of sewists [sewing + artist = sewist] from the Chattanooga Sewing Guild in class.

Art Weave magnolia blooms.

In addition to sewing garments and children's clothes, these women were painters, crafters, machine embroiderers, knitters, crocheters and were experienced in making draperies, home decor items and upholstery. Talk about a room exploding with talent!

Art Weave violets.

Each student put her own creative spin on the large scale fabric prints.

Art Weave red poppy.

We discussed different options for finishing...

Art Weave blue iris.

... and I had several examples in the class for inspiration. I am very curious to see how this group chooses to embellish and finish their pieces.

Project examples of the Art Weave technique.

Thank You to the Chattanooga Sewing Guild for inviting me to teach Art Weave! It was great spending a lovely Spring day with all of you... and reacquainting with two women with whom I've shared previous fiber art experiences (a surprise bonus for me!).

Please send photos of your finished Art Weave projects. I would love to see them!

#artweave  #funwithfabric  #largescalefabricprints

Anticipating Spring with new Art Weave

This is a start of a new Art Weave piece in anticipation of a workshop with the Chattanooga chapter of the American Sewing Guild next weekend. The reds, yellows and oranges of the lilies are a welcome preview of Springtime blooms in the days ahead.

Art Weave—a fabric art project.

A rippin' good Art Weave workshop with the Bulloch Hall Quilters

Christie with her Art Weave piece.

I knew it. I just knew it!

The Bulloch Hall Quilters were a lively, fun, out-of-the-box bunch of quilters that embraced the Art Weave technique. I had so much fun with them in my workshop last week.

As each student introduced herself—mostly for my benefit because they knew each other from the guild—it quickly became evident that this was a group of experienced and multi-disciplined quiltmakers.

Most of the women indicated they make all kinds of quilts—traditional, contemporary and art quilts. Some liked appliqué, there were some garment sewers, and one or two relative beginner quiltmakers in the group, but overall, they were self-proclaimed "eclectic" and "multi-faceted" quilters. One even traveled from South Carolina to take the workshop.

My kind of group!

Ideas for Art Weave

Art Weave is a fun, no-fuss, liberating technique. I was able to borrow two Art Weave pillows from my sweet MIL, so along with my two samples, I had several examples at the workshop of the potential this technique has to offer.

Art Weave examples.

Beginning the process
The ripping and stripping part is my favorite step in the process to watch!

Ms. P took to it like a pro!

Ellen is making strips for the violets.

It was great to have my friend and former business associate, Karen, in the workshop.

Janet (center) is the current guild President and Holly (standing, left)
was my hostess and did a great job preparing and packaging the class kits. 

Katy was a relatively new quilter but was fearless
with the Art Weave technique.

Here is Lisa, the previous guild President.

I'm always interested in why people choose to take a particular workshop, especially one that does not employ a "typical" quiltmaking technique. Common responses are:

• I saw your sample and wanted to make this project.
• I like to learn new things. I am a workshop junkie.
• I like to work with and make things with fabric. 
• I wanted to learn how to use these large, artistic, floral prints.

Adding to this list came the following insights from the Bulloch Hall Quilters. (I love these!)

• The supply list was short!
• I didn't have to bring my sewing machine to the class.
• I didn't have to bring a rotary cutter or those large cutting mats.

Diane (left) and Ardie weaving.

Joan chose wider strips for her Art Weave iris.

Helga created her piece with multi-width strips.
I can't wait to see this one finished.

Ms. P weaving one of the iris prints.

When the workshop concluded, we were all treated to a lovely and tasty "Salad and Dessert" potluck lunch. (Great idea, Holly.) By the way, these women are talented cooks, too!

Art Weave workshop with the Bulloch Hall Quilters.

I appreciate the invitation to teach this workshop for the Bulloch Hall Quilters. I did a trunk show program for them in May, but their schedule could not accommodate a workshop at that time. Generally, this guild does not hold guild meetings or events during the summer, but they were flexible in working with my travel schedule and I am so happy they did.

A summer get-together making fabric art with friends was refreshing and energizing! I can't wait to see all their finished Art Weave pieces. Bulloch Hall Quilters: Please post pics of your projects on Facebook and Instagram with hashtags #artweave and #frondfabrics.  Follow me on IG at veronica.fiberantics.

Thanks again to Holly for coordinating the workshop and to her and her husband, Ken, for their gracious hospitality!

Art Weave: Stitch or finish as desired

Mother's Day, a birthday, a special event, submission to an exhibit... I find that a "deadline" of some sort is often the best impetus for finishing a project. I recently received a text message from Michelle, one of the students in my recent Art Weave class at Chattanooga Sewing Machines and More, with this photo attached...

Michelle's hand quilted Art Weave piece.

Michelle hand quilted her Iris Art Weave! Isn't it lovely? It was a gift to her mom for Mother's Day.

Stitch or Finish as Desired
One of the cool (and fun) things about this class is that interpretation of the Art Weave technique is in the eyes and hands of each maker. Numerous variations and options for making and finishing this fabric art project is wiiiiide open... and each time I give the class, my students add to the list of possibilities. A few "finish as desired" options that I've done with Art Weave are:

free-motion quilting...

Free-motion quilting and Art Weave.

thread painting, bobbin work...

Thread painting, bobbin work and Art Weave.

We discuss several options in class for finishing an Art Weave project. But I love it when students put their own spin on their projects—like Michelle did! I hope that other students will send me pics of their finished Art Weave pieces.

Art Weave class at Chattanooga Sewing Machines and More.

Denise and I were in a guild together several years ago. I can't wait to see what she comes up with for her finished Art Weave piece.

Denise working on her Violets Art Weave.

Here is Pam's violets.

Pam's violets Art Weave.

Kyra chose the red poppy for her Art Weave.

Red poppy Art Weave by Kyra.

Art Weave was Danielle's first class (ever!) using fabric! She pushed the limits and experimented with varying strip sizes for her Art Weave iris and it looks fabulous!

Danielle's Art Weave iris.

Let Art Weave, fabric, thread and stitch inspire you to go in new directions.

Make fabric art in an Art Weave workshop

Doing anything reeeeally fun on the last day of April? If not, why not join me for a few hours making woven fabric art!?!

“Art Weave” class, Monday, April 30

I’ll be teaching the Art Weave technique at Chattanooga Sewing Machines and More on Monday, April 30. Two class times are available: 10 am or 6 pm.

Minimal supplies are needed to create a maximum amount of “flower power” with these beautiful large scale fabric prints. Kits are available with the class. Call the store today to get in on the fun. 

Art Weave with large scale flower designs.

These flowers bloom year ’round... rain, shine, day and night.