With every post I stand in awe of the things people make from the leftover selvages that run along the edge of our quilt fabrics.
Usually, we just throw away those end strips.
That is why I was particularly drawn to the two selvage quilts on display at the San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textile show Scrap Art.
Jacquie Gering of Tall Grass Prairie Studio made a stunning traditional Spider Web quilt mainly drawing from a large collection of selvages.
Tin Ceiling, 2010
45" X 60"
Paper Pieced by machine
Look at her beautiful quilting!
This truly fits the definition of Scrap Art.
Love the minty green solid used for the background.
Jacquie wrote "The piece is a quirky spin on a traditional spider web quilt. The spider web blocks are made with over one thousand selvage pieces. The selvage were collected from fabrics used in quilts I have made since I started quilting, so the quilt is a visual history of my work. The outer selvages in the webs are cut wider to showcase the fabric in addition to the selvage. The outer rings of the webs create bold splashes of color throughout the quilt. The selvages were carefully selected to balance, color, text, and glimpses of fabric. The quilt is densely machine quilted and creates a vintage feel in contrast to the modern fabrics within the spider webs."
Bette Haddon
Rainbows From The Edge
48" X 48"
Strip quilting- "quilt as you go"
Bette wrote:
"Fabric selvages provide information, color, variety and stability to any piece of fabric work. I enjoy arranging the 3/4" - 1 1/2" strips by "warm" and "cool" hues, and love the rhythm of machine sewing eh strips on a foundation of batting and backing."
I've taught several classes using the Quilt As You Go method, but I never thought about incorporating selvages.
hmmmm....
And ever since I started reading Karen's blog, I've been collecting selvages although I've never had a plan on how to use them.
Both of these quilts have sparked new ideas!
7 comments:
I follow the same blog and have also been collecting my selvedges. Maybe someday we will encourage each other to get started ...Not this year though.
How very cool to include all the information printed on the selvage edges. Really neat!
I really love her work and that quilting is just incredible!!!
Beautiful quilts. I've seen several selvedge quilts I'd like to make but I'm scard to start collecting selvedges along with my stash and scrap bins. Don't know where I would store everything.
Wow. I am going to have to re-evaluate what goes in the scrap store and what lands in the trash!
I adore the double wedding ring quilt. I bought the acrylic templates to do that along with pickle dish and robbing peter to pay paul....hopefully soon I can give it a whirl...
Mary
Very new to quilting. I have always had a love affair with fabric, though. I go a visit my SIL, a quilt artist, and fondle all her material. It is better than a fabric store visit. She encouraged me to quilt, when it became evident selvaging piqued my interest, by bequeathing (isn't that a great, poetic word) a box of selvage strips. I see this as a total act of love because I have not met a quilter yet willing to pass on scraps and selvages. Now, being a fondler of fabric, I totally understand.
Well, I ended up making a quilt for my daughter--and many of the squares were community made....none of the teens in the house, all male, could walk by without making a square! They just could not help themselves. Of course, I did not mention this covert activity to their buddies and basketball teammates. Shhh.
This accomplishment is the first handmade quilt in the house--except for the one treasured made by SIL. So, one child down and eight more to go! And not enough selvages! Every time I try to bid on ebay, in the rare instances some come up, they go for way beyond my price range.
I am excited about this blog today showing the 'Quilt as You Go" as this is something that had been playing in my head to try for the other eight should I solve my selvage dilemma. A couple of questions on the featured quilt/er. 1. How big are each of the squares? and 2. Have you tried the 'frayed edge' thingie with selvages and if so, how did the seems hold up when 'clipped'?
I am not looking for a handout. If someone should have a collection of selvages that would get me several quilt made, I would consider "3 for me and enough squares to make a quilt for you" sort of deal.
If I owned a fabric store, I fantasize, of offering a punch-card program for some sort of discount when you relinquish your selvages at point-of-purchase. Then I would sell the selvages at a reasonable price.
By the length of this comment, it is obvious I need to get some more selvages to take up some of this time on my hands!
Thank you and nice to meet you all.
"TimelyManner"
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