April 7, 2014  No Rules Quilting

Whenever I teach a course the first thing I like to impress upon my fellow quilters is that I discovered how to make landscape quilts using my own techniques while I was running (not walking) away from all the rules of traditional quilting.  Don't get me wrong, I learned from excellent quilters ( thank you Andrea, Jennifer, Judy, Jane and Loretta) and I know about precise cuts and perfect points and setting seams and careful pressing and although these rules are good and make for beautiful quilts, in my world they can sometimes cut into your creativity and imagination.  So last summer I decided that cutting with scissors was okay, strips did not have to be evenly cut, a quarter inch seam wasn't always necessary or what was needed, quilting lines could be whatever was artistically pleasing and crinoline, netting, sheer fabrics and paint could be a great addition to landscape quilts!  It was delicious freedom to let go of the rules and let the imagination run free.  When my students ask a question about what they are sewing, I love to answer, "there are no rules."  At my last course, one of the quilters ripped fabric instead of using scissors.  Again, no rules!  Whatever works for you, and your landscape is probably the correct decision.

Here's a tip to help you with inspiration for your landscape quilts.  Find a Rubbermaid container or a shoe box.  In it place photos, pictures or sketches that you love.  Continue to add to it often.  When you are about to start a new project, peruse your "stash" of images and think about how you could make one of them into a landscape quilt.

My friend Joan made this little beauty last week.  She had it almost finished when she felt that the sun needed balancing with additional colour elsewhere in the art piece and so she added herself and her dog, Keeper.  Voila.  Joan is new to landscaping, but she is an inspiration to us all. I love the little snow capped pine on the left.

Keep on sewing.