Quilts (and all textile arts, really) come to life two different ways: design-driven or fabric-driven. I know plenty of sewists who walk through fabric or quilt shops and let the fabric speak to them. I have plenty of fabric in my stash that I purchased because I NEEDED TO HAVE IT but have no project in mind. There is a reason that it is called a stash, I guess. Fabric and textiles are like drugs for creatives.
Some fabrics just call out for a specific quilt design or for the sewist to search out a pattern that suits the fabric. As we amble through the aisles, touching (stoking even) various fabrics, we are inspired.
Other times, a design will capture our imagination and we seek out the fabrics that are just perfect. I have spent hours on Etsy, Spoonflower, and JoAnn's websites sourcing the ideal fabrics. The US Quilt was an opportunity to choose over 50 fabrics that were unique and specialized. The fabrics needed to convey the theme of the state and the embroidered motif. Some states like Florida were much easier to choose the fabric for than others like North Dakota. Despite the struggles, it is an experience that I would never trade. Sure, Florida should have fabric adorned with oranges--but which fabric, what color background, which style oranges? The choice is the source of the joy.
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| Motifs with backing blocks and the states ready for applique |
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| So pleased with the choices |
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| Testing the fabrics in the layout. |
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| Beginning to applique on the backing map. |
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| Looking like a map at last...a VERY colorful map |
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| Alaska and Hawaii in their original forms |
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| My studio buddy, Ramses, approves of the fabric choices. |
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| The applique from the back--a different type of map |
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