Fabric of the Year 2014

FOTY 2014 - First Patches
FOTY 2014 – First Patches

This has never happened before. FOTY 2013 has not even had its chance on the design wall and I am already cutting for FOTY 2014. That is, apparently, the way it goes sometimes.

I like this group, though the greys are a bit of a downer, and think that many of the prints would be considered very modern.

The FOTY 2014 patches are cut 3″x5″. The reason for this size is that I have been trying to achieve a certain size of rectangle in a couple of projects (one was FOTY 2008) . I kept forgetting to factor in the seam allowance, so the rectangles, once sewn, were too small. They worked fine in the quilt, but the look was a little small for what I wanted.

This slightly larger size will also showcase more of the pattern on the fabric.

Creative Prompt #252: Zipper

Post the direct URL (link) where your drawing, doodle, artwork is posted (e.g. your blog, Flickr) in the comments area of this post. I would really like to keep all the artwork together and provide a way for others to see your work and/or your blog.

We are also talking about this on Twitter. Use the hashtag #CPP

The Creative Prompt Project, also, has a Flickr group, which you can join to  post your responses. I created this spot so those of you without blogs and websites would have a place to post your responses.

Definition: “A zipper, zip, fly or zip fastener, formerly known as a clasp locker, is a commonly used device for binding the edges of an opening of fabric or other flexible material, as on a garment or a bag.[1] It is used in clothing (e.g., jackets and jeans), luggage and other bags, sporting goods, camping gear (e.g. tents and sleeping bags), and other items. Whitcomb L. Judson was an American inventor from Chicago who was the first to invent, conceive of the idea, and to construct a workable zipper.[2] The method, still in use today, is based on interlocking teeth. Initially it was called the “hookless fastener” and was later redesigned to become more reliable.[3]

Modern quiltmakers have taken to making zipper pouches

Zipper Interactive (1992-2012)

“Numerical conformal mapping software: zipper -ZIPPER finds a numerical approximation of the conformal map (and its inverse) of the unit disk onto any Jordan region (bounded or unbounded).” (Washington,edu)

Zipper is a free compression program, and you don’t need to pay anything for it. It doesn’t contain pop-up ads or other annoying things. (Trans4Mind?)

Zippers by the yard

shorten a zipper

Zipper the Dog from a National Geographic game

Zipper is a tool for inspecting and extracting the contents of compressed archives. Zipper was initially written by Dirk Olmes. (Non-GNU.com)

2014 new zipper technology used on Olympic athlete clothing

invisible zipper

zipper cover

PageZipper – Life’s too short to spend clicking “Next”. Ever read one of those top ten lists or photo galleries where every item is on a different page?

Zipper is a little fly character from the animated series Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers.

Zipper foot (for a sewing machine)

Herbert Zipper Concert Hall at the Colburn School.

The Big Zipper is the affordable zipline experience.

Zipper Lacing. This method “locks” the laces at each eyelet pair. Great for lacing skates tightly because the lower sections hold while tightening.

Feb 25, 2014 – For the last few years Japanese artist Jun Kitagawa has been installing these giant zippers in public locations around Japan.

Zipper Press, Inc., is a publisher of high quality children’s books.

Zipper: Coney Island’s Last Wild Ride (movie)

Zipper Braid Updo (video how-to)

“In 1851 Elias Howe received a patent for an “Automatic, Continuous Clothing Closure”. He did not try to seriously market it, missing recognition he might otherwise have received.[6] Howe’s device was more like an elaborate draw-string than a true slide fastener.” (Wikipedia)

Heavy duty zipper

dress, pants closure

The Zipper is an idiom that uses the idea of “context” to the means of manipulating locations in a data structure. (HaskellWiki)

various roller coasters

Film production company known for producing the 2012 Academy Award Winning Feature Documentary Undefeated.

No. 663: Zippers and Design

 

Tale of Two Cities Start

Tale of Two Cities Fabrics
Tale of Two Cities Fabrics

This project has been on my mind since December when Friend Julie suggested it. I am finally making a wobbly start. The start is that I have started to choose the colors.

Julie bought me the book as a gift and after some discussions with her, I decided I would be inspired by the city around me. This, in my mind, fits into the ‘City Sampler” theme that Tula Pink encourages also.

In the winter, the sky is very blue here and, though cold, I enjoy the strong light and clear colors. It should be no surprise that turquoise factors into my choices. I just can’t help myself.

Another appeal of this project is the block element. I miss making blocks on a regular basis like I did for the A-B-C Challenge and the Star Sampler. This project will help me satisfy that craving and, hopefully, will not annoy me.

Finally, shortly after Julie and I talked about the project, Kelly brought it up as a BAMQG small group project. This means I can have fun with Julie and participate more in BAMQG.

I was having trouble getting started. I have been distracted by life and picking a few fabrics (I am sure I will need more) really helps me to get the process out of my head and started.

March CQFA ATCs

March 2014 CQFA ATCs
March 2014 CQFA ATCs

It has taken me awhile to post these, because I thought I lost one and was trying to figure out what to do. It has also been kind of a crazy month and organization hasn’t been my strong suit. It turns out that it was very flat and stuck to the back of one of the others. What a relief.

I am thrilled with these. I love the creativity and the combinations of materials. The upper right hand corner ATC with the flowers (by Maureen) has paper flowers.

The lower left hand corner piece (by Nancy) has text, which adds an interesting element.

These are fun to make and I am thinking about my next group for the May meeting. You can see mine in a previous post.

Disappearing Pinwheel Top Complete

No joke. I worked diligently on Saturday and finished the top of the Disappearing Pinwheel. When I last wrote about this project, I didn’t really feel like I could ever finish it. I may not have conveyed my feelings in the post, but I was feeling pretty low about it. I don’t know why.

Then Friday, I had a lot of paperwork and boring stuff to do (e.g. sign Young Man up for ACT test-bleah!) and didn’t work on any quilt anything. So, Saturday was the day. I had to get up at 5am to get the Young Man to a Drumline competition (do you sense a theme here?), so by 9 I was ready to sew. I spent most of the day sewing the top and got it done.

Disappearing Pinwheel Top
Disappearing Pinwheel Top

I am pleased, though a little disappointed that I ran out of the background fabric. I could have gotten more (thanks to Kelly O! for the offer), but I decided to use what I have and get the top done, so I can move on. I didn’t want to wait for an order, or for a friend to send the fabric.

It turns out that I actually like the way the second background drops out and the first background looks more highlighted.

I plan to have Colleen quilt the second background in a slightly darker grey so that the lightness is toned down a bit. When I talked to her about it, she said OK.

The smaller detail shot shows a close up of the second fabric. It was also one of those I bought with an eye towards using it for the Russian Rubix. Too beige for that project, but it worked ok for this one.

Disappearing Pinwheel detail
Disappearing Pinwheel detail

Vital Statistics:

  • Size: 84”h x73”w
  • By Jaye A. H. Lapachet, 2014
  • For the collection of Pierce Lapachet
  • Pieced by Jaye A. H. Lapachet
  • Longarm quilted by Colleen Granger

I also finished the back. It was a pain, as backs are wont to be, but I wanted to get it to Colleen yesterday, so I powered through. I thought I would get a lot more done on Sunday, but I didn’t. I just got the back done and then I had to clean up my workroom. It made me cranky to work on it, so I am glad it is finished. I continued pulling from my grey bin and a lot of greys you see have been in my fabric closet for over 10 years. I am happy they are finally getting an airing.

Disappearing Pinwheel Back
Disappearing Pinwheel Back

I still have to make the binding. What color do you think would work with this top?