Have you seen "Dressed" yet?

"Bedroom Dressings" by Veronica Hofman-Ortega
24" x 30"

It's not too late to see the "Dressed" exhibit in Chattanooga. This multi-media exhibit is on display until March 11 at the Jewish Cultural Center. The exhibit includes my piece, "Bedroom Dressings," and the work of 23 other artists that explored the theme in textiles, fibers, paper, oils, acrylics, watercolor and mixed media. And it is free admission!

My husband, family and friends attended the lovely opening reception in February with me and we got to meet a few of the other artists. Kudos to Ann Treadwell, Program Director for the Cultural Center, for curating a beautiful exhibit.

I posted details about my piece, "Bedroom Dressings," here along with close-up photos of the materials and free-motion quilting, and the quilt stats. The piece is a collection of orphan quilt blocks, an unfinished embroidery, a vintage dresser scarf and a lace-edged pillowcase, appliquéd and free-motion quilted.

And here are a few pictures from the opening reception. They don't do justice to the art, so go and see the exhibit in person.

Watercolor of antique dolls dressed in fancy dresses
by Virginia Urani

"Dinosaurs dressed to Express" their inner feelings
knitted by scenic artist, Evie Durant

Left: "Kimono Collage" cotton fabric, paper by Bailey Earith
Right: "Party Time" oil on canvas by Jo Ann Bracey

"Is this the dress?" and "Dancing the night away" oil on linen by Barbara Brogdon
and a handmade evening gown, 1960s, by Frances Price Johns.

Larry won one of the door prizes—a bottle of wine—and I got to wear my reconstructed Tablecloth jacket that I created in a "Garments: Deconstruction/Reconstruction" workshop with Angelika Werth last year. It was a delightful evening all around!

My piece, me wearing my Tablecloth jacket, and my husband, Larry.

A list of the participating artists:

"Dressed" exhibit.

Accepted into "Dressed" exhibit

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.

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!

"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.

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.

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.

Original vintage linens for "Bedroom Dressings."

I had to mimick some of the embroidery to extend the design from the center square.

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.

"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.

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.

"Dressed." An exhibit of unique art pushing the boundaries of the theme.
"Tables are dressed. People are dressed. And much more…"