Sunday the challenge was revealed for this week and it is “In Silhoutte”. There was encouragement and a few wonderful examples and definitions of “Silhoutte”.
This is when I wished I had had my children, or even my grandchildren done in silhoutte. Wouldn’t that be lovely? But no, and honestly honing that skill in a week just wasn’t going to happen. I hemmed and hawed and came up with one idea and was really sold on it, and then thought “no that really isn’t very original”. Then I came up with another idea and loved it but thought, one week, that would be cutting it really close, even for me. All this hemming and hawing wasn’t getting anything created, so I went with the original, not so original idea.
What I worked through was this:
I started with the background, sewing strips together to give the impression of either sunrise or sunset.
Generally, I “quilt by check”. I’m not very good at the quilting part myself, but for straight lines and small projects, I really need to get through it and do it myself. It was my intent to give the illusion of moving air or a soft wind, just stitching random wavy lines from one side of the background to the other.
Then I went to Pinterest and Google to see if I could capture some geese. I found some that were not too detailed, enlarged them, printed them off and traced them on some fusible web. I played around with positioning until I was satisfied and pressed them down. I then went over them with matching thread so they would not escape.
I’m really delighted with the finish and glad I took up the challenge. It may not be perfect but it is lovely, even peaceful. The challenges make me think and follow through. They make me work on projects that I might not have chosen to do if not for the challenge. Also, it makes me work on my quilting skills, and improvisation.
If you would like to see how other quilters interpreted this challenge check them out at the bottom of this post: https://kimlapacek.com/2022/01/13.2-in-silhoutte, or check out the #pqseason13 on Instagram.
Til next time…
Piece!
divadiversion 
Diane, your curved quilting lines really give the illusion of curved piecing. I had to look closely. Great fabric choices.
Thank you Annie!
I’m definitely seeing air movement when I look at this. Fabric painting and those geese, well done!
Thank you Kathy, these little projects give me an opportunity to practice without the worry of ruining something big.
Your pillow is lovely! I remember a project long ago where we were supposed to make a background and applique something over it…I chose a beige palette and was going to do flowers over a hexagon back. I didn’t know what I was doing to be honest with you and that same unfinished background still sits waiting to be finished…But I had this table partner at retreat that purchased a bag of scraps and let me look through them… My mind clicked and I started pulling out various pieces. I decided to try hexagons again. We had a seat treat that was a make a small item with hexagons. Not many wanted them. I went around and snatched them up with permission of course. I took something I had previously given up on and tried again with a different approach and it really hooked me. Like you , I had all these ideas in my head and wasn’t sure which way to run with them in a short time. You pick the path and then go for it. You were my seat partner then and because of you I have wandered into a lifelong love of hand stitching hexagons. I will always be grateful my friend. I enjoy seeing your work every time you post something.
Creative people are blessed. Often that abundance of blessings (ideas), can cause a long stall. I waste days walking around in circles as if my foot was attached to the floor – “what should I do? what should I do?” I’m finally finding that just going with that gut feeling and doing something is so much better than wringing my hands. Worst case scenario is that I find I am not fond of a project or process. Seriously, that is the worst thing that can happen so nothing should hold me (or you) back.
I was totally gifted when I got to work with you during our retreats. You are one of the most creative minds I have had the pleasure to call friend. It pleases me immensely to see your work with paper piecing hexies and the fussy cutting you do while creating.
Continue to show your work. You have no idea how many people you inspire. Love you to pieces.
Lovely colors and great geese.. I love that you are making pillows as your projects.
Thank you Dolores. I’ve found keeping things small for these challenges gives me more of a chance to finish within the deadline.