3.01.2008

Cheater Quilt Step-by-Step

So I got this idea that I wanted to do a painting, but more dimensional, and kinda quiltish. And I'm a sucker for texture. And I really love the look of applique quilting, but I don't have that kind of patience. Anyway, I came up with this idea of painting like I do on my dollies, only more flat. I've made a few of them now, and they are very fun. I call them Cheater Quilts. Here's the latest, in a step-by-step scenario:
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They start with a doodle. This particular cheater started with that funny tree down there in the right corner. I saw it (or something like it) on an old apron. Then I doodled a little stand of trees and Grandma's house, and figured I'd need a little place for Red and Wolfie to hang out when they're not wandering through the woods.

So then I made a drawing the size I wanted the quilt to be,
and cut out little templates for Red and the wolf.
Then I made a fabric sandwich with cotton batting innards and drew out all the lines I wanted stitched. Then I handed it over to Dylan and he sewed all the lines. He also stitched and stuffed up the Red and wolf dollies.
Next I painted everything with its base color.
It looks so bright in this stage, but not for long. . .
After painting I lightly sand everything and stain with a dark umber. After that dries, I sand again, giving this nice textural quality to everything. After painting in some details and shading, I add all the stitching and buttons and whatnot to liven up the piece.
Wolfie and Red go through the same sanding, staining, and sanding process. Then I paint their wee little features on.
Of course, Red gets more clothes than her canine counterpart.

Then I tuck the pair in their cozy little pocket. . .

. . .and voila!

Now you make one!
(And show it to me, cuz I'm nosey like that.)

39 comments:

  1. I'm very happy to discover your blog and your work because I'm doing quite the same as you, but in a different way, if you want to have a look: http://illustrations.canalblog.com/archives/2008/02/07/7863558.html
    and here: http://illustrations.canalblog.com/archives/2008/02/05/7841486.html
    this is not a "spam"... Are you doing some books with your great illustrations?? I'm very very fan!!

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  2. Thank you, Telle! Your illustrations are wonderful. I only wish I could read French, but your pictures speak for themselves. Lovely and whimsical!
    I hope to someday do books, yes. Dylan (my husband) is a wonderful writer. He has written one children's book and just started another.
    Thank you again. :)

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  3. Joee,

    You make it sound so easy.....You are a one of a kind talent who I am lucky to call my friend. :0) I LOVE your creativity, originality and MEGA talent that you pour into each of your pieces. Incredible.

    Hugs,
    Tink

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  4. You do make it sound easy and it looks amazing. I love the little red riding hood scene. Sooo creative! I want to try it sometime. I love to stitch and I paint just a little bit but I can't imagine I could even come close to what you've created. It's wonderful!

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  5. Hi Joee - this is a wonderful way of showing us your wonderful Quilt ! Mithua was VERY licky to win it !!! Wish it was me

    Hugs Lone

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  6. Anonymous3/03/2008

    This is so lovely!

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  7. I like seeing the process. The finished piece is lovely.

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  8. Oh.My.G. I'm absolutely in love with this piece. Such a fantastic idea. I've just found your blog, and it's already in my RSS feeder.
    xo, Vesna.

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  9. I love how this turned out. I have done pillows this way before and one I did as a round moon face using trapunto. YOU have inspired me since OWOH to start playing around with muslin and paint again.
    Thank you for sharing all your steps!

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  10. i came here through whip up. i love your work.

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  11. Dear Jo,

    I so love your little dolls. Much like children, they just beg to picked up & taken care of. I agree with the comment about them being a mixture of frailty & humor. Your dolls are precious & easy on the eyes & at the same time, thought provoking. I especially like the statement "Fear makes the wolf bigger than he is". This is such an awesome tutorial from such a wonderfully talented artist. (Can you tell I'm a fan?)I'm gonna add a link to your blog so that others may find you & be delighted as well.

    Best wishes,
    Rebecca.

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  12. How generous of you JOee! Thanks for sharing. I loved this quilt!
    I want to see more of the aviator bird at the top???
    You always come up with the best ideas!
    Nan

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  13. Hi Joee!
    This cheater quilt is such a wonderful idea! I'm such a huge fan of your work too girl! Now I'm all inspired to give one of these a try. I'm gonna have to ponder it for awhile though! Thanks for the tutorial! You're the best!

    Hugs,
    JoycEE

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  14. It is so great to see how you create these pretty pieces. Just lovely!

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  15. Anonymous3/03/2008

    Found you via Whip up. Love your pieces. Beautiful work.

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  16. Joee, I LOVE this, and what a treat to see the work in progress! I'm in awe of your talent....

    ~ Carolee

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  17. Ahhh Joee....I think of you often and always love seeing your imagination at work. I almost made a trip out to see you when I was in Oregon but alas family issues took over. You will always be my favorite "eye candy". Pam

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  18. Stunning & quite magical too... it pulled me right in and I felt like I was walking along with the red hooded gal... love the 'how to' too. I'm def bookmarking this! ~Monica

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  19. Thank you so much for your generous comment on my blog. I am so honored that you liked my squares, most especially after viewing YOUR stunning art work. I will visit you often. This is right up my alley. My next project is definitely going to be a "cheaters quilt". Thanks again!!!!!

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  20. Everything you do is "magic"!

    I have an award for you on my blog -please stop by to pick it up!

    Nancy

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  21. Hello Jo.. I have written a few words about your lovely work if you fancy having a read :) All the best, Rima

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  22. Joee...........what talent you have girlfriend! I always just sit and drool when I see what wonderful creations you have come up with next. I've known since the long ago Pfatt days that you were destined for fame! Mark my words..........=D

    Hugs!
    *Lorilicious

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  23. Joe, take a break and head over to my blog for a little surprise for you!

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  24. I just found your blog and I love what you did. I want to make one, but tell me, what kind of paint did you use? It looks like so much fun! I can't wait to get started.

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  25. Thank you everyone for you very kind words. They lift me up more than you know.

    Sharon-
    I just used acrylic paints-the inexpensive one's like Folk Art brand or Americana or Delta Ceramacoat. Stay away from JoAnn Fabric's brand though; it's just crappy.

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  26. Oooooh. I love to see art in stages. Thanks for sharing your tutorial. You should check out Wild Thread Denise Aumick's blog (she's on the list at my blog). She paints quilts, too, but in an abstract kind of way. In fact, she's going to be in Quilting Arts using a technique she learned from me :-)

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  27. This is awesome! I wish I were able to "cheat" like you ;-)

    Dagmar

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  28. very cool, I was just mulling over the possbilities of doing something like this with some fabric collage sheets I have and not 30 minutes later, here I find a little tutorial! Glad I stopped by.

    p.s. did you get your OWOH stamps in the mail? can't remember if you let me know you got up. Hope they arrived Ok.

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  29. Hi Jo,

    I feel so lucky to have won your beautiful quilt painting! I have never seen anything like it before! Your dolls are gorgeous too! You are truly a great artist!
    I have taken a few pictures of your quilt painitng 'A Pocket in the woods' and will be posting about it in my blog!! The pictures I have taken don't do justice to it though...It is a true masterpiece!
    Thank you so much Jo! I will be displaying it in my studio and will be getting inspired by it everyday.

    Hugs,
    Mithua

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  30. I'm smitten with your work! and what a perfectly enchanting blog :)

    a new fan,

    Cat

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  31. I have been a silent fan of your and Dylan's work for ages. It seems Dixie (hi Dix!) has provided a bit of a link between us. Thank you for sharing this. It is inspirational!

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  32. I love your work, it's really magical. I speak very bad english and cannot said how many is beautiful..;gorgeous...

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  33. Anonymous6/11/2008

    This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  34. This is really awesome! I love the way you did the binding around the trees too! Thank you so much for sharing your art with us!

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  35. I love your quilts and am working on two of them. Could you just change the name...cheater quilt makes me feel bad !! LOL!! Keep them coming!!

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  36. sencillamente marabilloso! I love it!! :)

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  37. I love it! Specially the pocket! ^^ and that the dolls come off! If I ever get around to making something inspired by this I'll send you a link :* <3

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