Today's post is about working with black fabric, the first thing you need to know, is that you will always want to purchase more fabric than you think you will need for a project (black fabrics are really difficult to match if you find you have not bought enough) I realized too late, that I don't have the yardage required for what I had originally planned, so this piece will have to go in a different direction. In an earlier post, I showed one of these hand appliqued feather blocks, here are four of them now joined to create the center medallion.
Those colours? some are commercial dyes and many are my hand painted fabrics. Another thing I discovered about using black fabric is that with such high contrast, every flaw is magnified. YIKES!Now I suppose post number 200 needs to be celebrated, so I think I must have a giveaway. Leave a comment to enter, its just that simple. Please be sure I have a way to contact you
The prize?
how about a copy of Zentangle Fabric Arts
(you can read the post about my involvement in this book here)For any of you who may already own this book, let me know in the comment and if your name is drawn I'll send you something else. I'll make the draw next Friday.
78 comments:
Oh but that black fabric makes everything soooo beautiful! ANd you see the boo-boos but chances are WE don't.
Love it! Love it! :-)
XXOO~~♥
Anne
P.S. My brain is off today....
Congrats on post # 200!!!!
Congrats on your 200th post!
Anne is right -- we can't see any flaws -- it looks just wonderful from here! I use a LOT of black fabric and my way around the matchy thing is to use lots of different blacks and it all blends together. At least to my eyes.
P.S. I'd love to win that book!
Happy 200! I love those fabric colors in the quilt blocks and they look awesome on the black. I already have the book, it's quite fun!
Will you autograph my winning copy? Congrats on #200!!
Blacks...funny you mention that. I was looking through the few I have just yesterday and couldn't believe how some appear more on the gray or blue side...not quite bright black like I wanted.
The four blocks are out of this world--to die for! Long ago I gave up matching blacks, I just try to be close. But in this quilt you are right, I think it should match. congrats on #200, too. Would love the book.
Wow, I love those colors against the black, and I love your appliquéd feathers. Just beautiful.
your blocks are gorgeous. What flaws?! I know we're our own worst critics, they look perfect to the rest of us!
I made the same mistake of not buying enough black but fortunately it was being used for a backing and turned out okay. Congratulations on your 200th post. I've just started drawing zentangles and am loving it. It would be great to win the book.
I love black fabric as background for colorfull applique. I like your medallion so much!
I'd like to be in the draw for the book, too. thanks for the chance.
Happy 200 posts.
orkaloca
info(at)orkaloca(dot)com
I love the way that black fabric makes the colours on your lovely fabrics pop.
Happy 200th blogaversary.
Yaayyyy! Congratualtions on your 200th post! Love the applique blocks, such vibrant colours - beautiful! I'd love to win a copy, that looks amaizing!
I find working with black fabric hard on my old eyes too. It does make colors pop though so the good outweighs any faults....
I love working on black, and I've just discovered zentangling... I can't wait to incorporate it into my quilts. Thanks for the chance to enter, and congrats on post #200!
Xa Lynn
Jill, your applique is amazing. Love your hand dyed fabrics too. I'm working on some houses for an applique project right now. This time I remembered to reverse the pattern pieces. :) Can't wait to start pulling out fabrics for this piece.
Every colour pops with black. ...and every stray thread. I love your psychodelic medallion - yes I am 70's girl....
I just love working on black too. Love your burst of color.
The quilt turned out great! love the colors and yes, I already purchased the book and used references from your chapter for my fiber Valentine postcards! Thanks for the inspiration!
Wow.....I was just reading about this book.....must mean I am going to win right?
Well thanks for the chance to win and your always yummy blog.
Love this block with the black....I am a huge fan of black and believe it makes all colors "pop" beautifully.
Congrats on reaching 200 very interesting posts.
Happy sewing
Oh, Jill, that book would just love to live at my place. I could learn so much about the art side of quilting that I'm such a newbie at now. Pick me! Congratulations on your 200 th post!
congratulations on your 200 posts. I'd love a copy of the book...
What a fun giveaway and thanks for all the tips about black. ;)
I didn't even know there was such a book... now I just must win! haha
got your entries ready for NJS?
Congratulations on 200 posts. I love your style.
Happy 200th!! Beautiful quilt block! I love the colors on the black!
I can't believe you can do this. I can't think up 200 words let alone 200 blogs.
It's amazing what you can do with feathers.
Thanks for all the advice and ideas.
Sandie
Congratulations on your major milestone of 200 posts. You introduced me to zentangles through your blog. Then, today as leafed through a quilt mag at Wal-Mart, saw a zentangle quilt with the design made with a pigma pen and thread. I've had the issue with black fabric too - and just used a lot of different ones to camo it. Can see that with the exquisite feather plumes you made, having the black exactly right would be important. Thanks for your blog. I enjoy it, though rarely comment.
Wow Jill - that black fabric makes your feathers ZING! I love it...what a shame you didnt get enough of the black...Looking forward to seeing what you do with it all. Your hand dyed fabrics are so beautiful, and is your hand applique.
You have inspired me to order some black fabric!That book looks absolutely fascinating and I would love to win it. :o)
Congratulations on your #200 post!
Your stitching always looks so fine--can you tell us which machine thread you use?
Wow, that's a lot of posts - well done and thanks for inspiring us :) I'd love a copy of the book.
I think your feathers are beautiful. I once had a friend that said "If you can't see the mistake from 6 feet away...it doesn't count!"
Zentangles would be some much needed inspiration. Thanks.
Congrats on your 200th. Thank you so much for sharing your art, ideas, and solutions. Washing yardage was a problem solver.
You keep me thinking!
Pat
Congrats on 200! 300, here you come! Thanks for the cool giveaway!
So what flaws show, ones in the black or in the coloured fabric? I can't see any. It looks beautiful to me. Congras on post #200.
Well I love that stained glass effect - the book looks fun!
Congrats on 200 posts! The feathers look amazing can't wait to see more! The black so makes the colours pop. I'd love to win the zentangle book too. How cool that you are a guest artist in it.
I don't see any mistakes, Jill! I love your applique feathers! Congrats on 200 posts. Isn't blogging fun???
Post 200! congrats! will always be a fan and a friend!
Hugs,
carol
Beautiful feather blocks...such patience with those curves! Found you today on #200. I'll have to catch up on older posts. Please enter me for your drawing, too.
Rita
Congratulations on #200!
Black fabric really does make the colours shine - it looks fantastic.
Zentangles are something I have been interested in - thanks for the chance.♥
Your feathers are gorgeous! Would love to win the book. Thanks.
I'd love to win this book. I just started to draw zentangles and love, love it.
Edith
Love this piece and would love to be entered in this draw, thank you.
These colors are speakin' my language loud and strong! I simply adore this arrangement. And, no, you can't see the boo-boos.
Congratulations on your 200th! Here's to 200 more that are just as wonderful as the rest have been.
I already have a copy of this fabulous book -- it's an inspiration, as are you.
(You gotta love this: my word verification for posting this comment is "quili"!!!)
Diane
Congrats and those blocks are amazing. Thanks for the chance for this great book!
I think your four-block piece is incredible! What flaws??? It looks so great. The little thumbnail on my blog looks like op art, but the closeup is awesome. I can't wait to see where this is going. Black can be difficult to work with, but oh boy, does it ever do wonderful things to the bright colors!
Congrats on post #200! I've enjoyed every one of your posts. You share so generously, and I learn so much from you. Thank you.
I love using black fabric in quilts. I've always admired the Amish for their black and bright quilts.
I keep reading about Zentangles and my interest is definitely peaked.
The black background really makes your work pop, I'm not seeing any bobo thou. I got my start doing zen tangles when I saw the ones you have done over on flicker. I stumbled upon your toy machines and after drooling over all them I looked at your drawings and have now started playing with them myself. I've done one on fabric, just a post card. You inspired me to try something new.
2oo! What an accomplishment! When I reached my 100th post,I felt sort of compressed excitement, like I was celebrating the birthday of a dear friend. Thanks for posting on through writers block and changing seasons. When you speak out of your passion, you will never run out of things to share. Thankyou for sharing!
I ran into that same problem with the black fabric. I learned my lesson. I love your blocks - i love feathers
Congratulations on your 200th post. Definitely something worth celebrating. Thank you for the opportunity to enter your giveaway!
Congratulations on your 200th post. The black fabric really sets off the beautiful colors.
Gorgeous blocks, love the hand dyed fabrics. Congrats on your 200th post! Thanks for the chance. Greetings from Seoul.
Your medallion is absolutely gorgeous! I love color on black. Those hand dyed/painted fabrics are beautiful. Happy 200th. I bought the book for myself for Christmas and am having fun with doodling.
I just recently discovered zentangling.. and to put it on fabric would be AH MAY ZING!!
Congratualtions on 200! Your posts are always inspirational and informative. Keep it up!
Still reading... Calamity Jain
I am so excited to have found you! Happy Quilting in 2011..congrats on your blog..its fun isnt it?
Ooo Zentangle has always seemed so lovely to me
disintegratingstarr@hotmail.com
The black really sets off the other colours! Fabulous!
I agree with you about black fabric - they all seem to be a little bit different!
The book looks really interesting
I'm not sure I've ever used black fabric, but I'm sure it's striking. Pls enter me for your giveaway and congratulations on your 200th post!
Love the blocks and black fabric makes everything look so rich and stand out. I was amazed at how many different shades of black there are when I was trying to find a black to match a project I was working on.
Congrats on the 200th post.
I have always loved working with black fabrics. My kids kid me about my goth aesthetic. I have often thought that the many tones/values of black could make a pretty neat monochrome quilt.
Your feathers of many colors are so striking set in the black fabric. I do understand the variances of blacks as I wear lots of black clothes.
Congratulations on your 200th post.
I would be honored to be included in your Zentangle Fabrics book you were part of giveaway.
Happy quilting...
CoNgRaTuLaTiOnS on your 200th post.
Your feathers are beautiful, absolutelysurf beautiful.
I would love to be included in the draw
Have a great day.
Congratulations! Thanks for the giveaway.
I love those colors on the black. I do love black for my borders. Congratulations on your 200th post.
Debbie
200 informative posts! Congratulations. Now I am away to see if I can find your post on washing large pieces of material! Guess who has a large pice to wash?
Congratulations! And it looks like you are coming up on 200 followers soon as well - nice work! Glad to have discovered your blog -- your work is absolutely gorgeous.
I enter the draw a little hesitantly...what if I win?!?! What if I fall in love with this?!?
I can't handle another love! I will let the universe decide!
Your work is fantastic. It is beautiful flawed or not.
WoW, nice to know about the black fabrics (shows boo=boos).
I would love a book!
I am so adding u to my blog readers list!
Happy Blogging!
Emily
Kansas
ooh..your feather blocks are beautiful!
congratulations on posting 200!
Beautiful feather blocks. I'd love to win the book... Thanks :)
Congrats on 200! Love your feather blocks. The book looks great - thanks for chance to win.
happy bicentennial! i love your work, especially the peices with black grounds. would love to have the zentangle book. i teach high school visual arts and this semester my students are going to be doing zentangles as time fillers when they finish an assignment early. they are so calming and meditative. i think they will really enjoy them.
Congrats on your milestone. I have been admiring all of the zentangles that you make. Sooo pretty. Even borrowed a book from the library, but the due date came way too fast.
Congratulations on your 200th post! Good work!
I was going down looking at old posts of yours that I might have missed and came across this give away. Darn! I missed it!
Post a Comment