This is one of my fire quilts which I had left stored at my aunts house- somehow I have never felt it was quite finished even though I had put the binding on and sleeve- but finally I fellt I knew what else it needed- hand stitching around the tie dye fire spots. I am already liking the difference the stitching is making- even though it is not so readily apparent from these photos- more later.
I have obviously been thinking of new directions, new life and making do with less things, less things with which to make my work- my working equipment is reduced to two shoe boxes- one for my threads and scissors etc and one for dye/ printing equipment- and one journal only! Obviously things need to be reasonably simple- not a bad thing as I am a believer in less is more and I find that many things are overwrought with glitter,beads, thread, sequins and all manner of surface attached things including sometimes too much paint.
So..... i would like to throw out a challenge- is anyone out there willing to follow the KISS principle?( KISS- Keep it Simple Stupid)- make a 50 cm square quilt using only two coloured fabrics ( or white for that matter) and threads ( as many colours as you would like) but using only straight stitch by hand or machine- no fancy stitches- of course straight stitching can be done in any form- and absolutely no embellishing- just fabric and stitch and your imagination!
Any takers? If so contact me and we will see where it takes us- we could maybe work it into an exhibition or use the KISS principle as a jumpoff for an exhibition? I am thinking a deadline for the end of march 2010 - I will show pieces on my blog or perhaps set up a special blog and if you do decide to do it would love to hear some of your thought process in the making....
Can it be one piece of fabric painted??? I have something started that has been dyed turquoise and I have painted over it in copper. I have started hand stitching it but has been on hold for a while - this could be my first goal?????
ReplyDeleteI've been a lurker forever and love your stitched pieces. I would love to join the challenge!! I like doing sashiko, the japanese quilting stitch and think it would be fun to use that heavier thread to embellish a quilt.
ReplyDeleteThis will be a great challenge!
ReplyDeleteBut do I have time to involve in such a work?
This is the point.
I am a lurker too!
ReplyDeleteI love your work and I would like to participate in the challenge...even though I am a painter, not a quilter. Still, I do love fabric and I love colour.
I also have the time.
Take care,
Flora in Nova Scotia.
A very intriguing challenge idea. Definitely will give it a try!
ReplyDeleteCount me in Dijanne. What a fun way to start the New Year!
ReplyDeleteI too would like to give it a try.
ReplyDeleteA tentative yes. . . sounds interesting.
ReplyDeleteGlad you made it to Europe in one piece. A very happy, successful and creative new year to you.
I think I'd like to give it a try too. would straight stitch be any freemotion I can do with a normal straight stitch setting? And can the fabrics be variagated hand dyes or tye dyes (like your fire quilt) and then be used as tones if desired? No idea what I will make but it sounds like fun.
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking of joining you time willing...
ReplyDeleteOK, I'm in...like I need another project but this might be interesting! We're off to Florida for 3 months but I'll get started as soon as I can. 50 cm is approximately 19-20 inches? I'm a quilter..not a math person!
ReplyDeletecount me in too - sounds like fun
ReplyDeleteI'm intrigued. I'd love to find a path to that elusive elegance of simplicity. Keep me posted.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I'm happy to hear that you made it to Europe and that things are going well. Happy travels and teaching!
Love to be involved - very good discpline - Dale
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteCount me in too - sounds good!
ReplyDeleteEchr iets voor mij.De kettingsteek is mijn favoriet en gebruik hem de laatste tijd in elk werk.
ReplyDeletegroeten ann vanherle
What a great way to start the new year... thanks for posting this challenge... 'KISS' think I might make this my word for 2010...
ReplyDeleteAs if I could let this pass! I'm in too.
ReplyDeleteHi Dijanne,
ReplyDeletePlease count me in too.
yes. ok. great and fabulous. i'm in. and love the discipline you've 'imposed'.....
ReplyDeleteThough I love embellishing,you can count me in; it'll be a challenge
ReplyDeleteMonique
This sounds like an intrigueing experiment, I'm in.
ReplyDeleteI think I might need to work on "less is more"...count me in.
ReplyDeleteCount me in. I've been working on thinning out and hopefully it will apply to me as well. Good idea.
ReplyDeleteThanks.
Lisa Quintana
Ik kan natuurlijk niet achter blijven, dus .... we hebben toch tijd genoeg....LOL
ReplyDeleteyes - I would love to join in!
ReplyDeleteI can't resist a challenge ... although the real challenge for me is finding the time to do all the things I have ideas for/want to join in with ... and finding whatever bit if fabric I decide to use among the huge mess in my sewing room - LOL
(yes less stuff would mean I could find more of what I go looking for ... but I don't want to throw out what I have spent the last 10 or more years collecting! - it is actually kind of nice to go "shopping" in my stash and have bits of stuff fall out and give me ideas ... and it is kind of nice that most of my fabric is either weird stuff I found at the op shop/garage sales/etc, or stuff someone else was throwing away!)
btw ... I think I already did a Keep it Simple challenge about 10 years ago! lol - it was on the Artiquilt yahoogroup, and we had to do an A4 sized quilt ... I did 2 - LOL
... actually, a few people who have commented here used to be ON that yahoogroup - lol - including you Dijanne! - I just went digging and notice I still have at least one of your posts to that list from 1999 (yes I keep old e-mails too) I kept that one because it was YOUR "Flaming Potholder" challenge - which was the first one of those A4 challenges that we did on that list! LOL)
Hello Dijanne
ReplyDeleteBest wishes - please count me in the KISS project.
Liliane
I'd like to give the KISS challenge a go Dijanne although not being a quilter I'm not entirely sure what constitutes a quilt - is it just 3 layers?
ReplyDeletePaulene
What a challenge, I have many pieces of fabric that need some direction.
ReplyDeleteCheers
Hi Dijanne,
ReplyDeleteThis would work well into my trying to simplfy everything in my life. Count me in.
Mary
Hi Dijanne
ReplyDeleteI would like to make a KISS quilt and would be pleased to join a blog group if you set one up. I'm sure I could "rustle up" a quick quilt - it will help me to get started again in January!
[I'm also with you in the FOQ 2010 group]
Blessings for 2010 ... let's hope it's a good one!
Love
Carolyn x
Hello Dijanne,
ReplyDeleteCan you count me in for the KISS challenge ?
I'll try to be simple enough.
thank you
I'd like to have a go too - good for motivation to have a goal
ReplyDeleteCx
hello Dijanne,
ReplyDeleteThe "less is more" is just for me...
I want to try to make a Kiss quilt. I just hope to have time : in April I'm moving my home and will be very busy with the works we are doing in our new flat.
Catherine
Please count me in too Dijanne. Sounds like fun!
ReplyDeleteBest wishes
Maggie
I'm also going to give it a go if I may Dijanne?
ReplyDeleteOhh, yes please Dijanne, love the KISS principle!
ReplyDeleteYes! Count me in, please.
ReplyDeleteHi Dijanne, a;though not a quilter I like the sound of this, count me in
ReplyDeleteCarol
Hi Dijanne, What a fantastic idea - great to have that kind of slow cloth on the go - count me in
ReplyDeleteMags
Je veux bien essayer aussi
ReplyDeletebonne année en Europe et je me réjouis de vous retrouver en juin en Suisse
I would be interested. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeletehi Dijanne,
ReplyDeleteI to would love to join if I have the time so I will have to get thinking now. have a great year over in the colder climate
Jenny
I hope that 2010 is a good year for you. I would like to participate in this international project.
ReplyDeleteJoanne
oke ik kan niet achter blijven dus ,, ik doe mee
ReplyDeleteCount me in for the KISS quilt challenge, great idea to start the 2010creative year. Happy New Year, glad to see that you got there in one piece. Chris B
ReplyDeleteRoom for another one please?
ReplyDeleteDijanne, I would like to have a go please. I'm not a quilter, but I would like to tackle the challenge you have set.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes.
I'll give this a whirl.
ReplyDeletehello Dijanne I had meant to say in my earlier comment congratulations on the lovely article and project in MagicPatch, it was very warming to stand in the shop in cold Stornoway and open a magazine and see a very familiar quilt looking back at me, love it,
ReplyDeleteafter thinking about it I have decided yes I would love to join you with this project,
take care Frances x
I have been wanting to do a "white on white" piece again. Though I do love colors in there. I did one piece a long time ago... titled, "Practice random acts of quilting." Don't you just love it! I took different stencils and overlapped them to give it depth. Then quilted each one in a different color thread. Got a judge's choice.... Always fun to try different ideas! I'll be working on mine!
ReplyDeletePlease keep me up to date too. Not 100% sure yet if I should commit - due to other time demands, but I'm seriously tempted.
ReplyDeleteIf I´m not too late, I would love to join this challenge.
ReplyDeleteIf it's not to late, count me in, I have already an idea.
ReplyDeletegroetjes, Lutgard
That's right up my street, Dij, I'd love to play!
ReplyDeleteHello
ReplyDeleteI think this would give me something to focus on. I've never quilted before - but stitched a few things. Though I never seem to finish anything!
Indianna :o)
I would love to participate Dijanne.
ReplyDeleteAs soon as I get this thesis out of the way I'm on it.
Hi, I would join this challenge.
ReplyDeleteIt´s great idea.
LG,
Helga
It sounds like fun. You may count me in too.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to give it a try!
ReplyDeletePerhaps, me too....
ReplyDeleteHi, Dijanne, Happy New Year! Hope you are not too cold here in the Northern hemisphere. I'd love to have a go at the KISS challenge, too.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year, Dijanne, from a lino-cut course old girl!
ReplyDeleteAnd can I be included in your KISS project, please, if I'm not too late!
Bridget
I love the idea of this challenge.
ReplyDeleteCan one use found objects and natural dyes - plant dyes in the project.
Love to be part of Kiss project.
Rasa in Canberra
Wow! What an avalanche of responses. Congratulations and yes please.
ReplyDeleteCheers Mahdi Gordon Tasmania
Am I too late to say that I would like to get involved in this challenge?
ReplyDeletewould love to do challenge - enjoyed a workshop with you in tas last year. happy new year
ReplyDeletejill in hobart, tas.
My hand is up to your challenge too. Thanks for offering this.
ReplyDeletePamela in Sydney
I would like to be part of this womderful sounding challenge. thanks so much roza
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like an interesting challenge. I am trying to do more fiber art and I love to do embroidery. I think I will try this too.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much and your work is so beautiful.
Ik doe mee, overigens heb ik trouwens al iets wat hier heel geschikt voor is, dus eigenlijk ben ik al klaar. Maar ik ga nog iets maken.
ReplyDeleteLove the idea & hope I can join in on KISS still. Keep up the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteHi Dijanne,
ReplyDeleteWorking away on my KISS, is the deadline for March carved in stone?
Cheers
Kaylene
Dijanne, did I miss the information about what to do? I am still waiting for news? I would love to make something, but I don't know what te restrictions are... Can you please inform me?
ReplyDelete