When I was asked to make a quilted wallhanging with my client’s log home on it, I presented them with several sketches of possible designs. Most of them had a combination of patchwork and applique – very traditional – but I also had an idea that was a little bit different. I like to quilt and I like to sketch, so why not combine the two into one unique work of art? My clients loved the idea and waited patiently for me to finish the quilt – just in time for Christmas!
The drawings are all original artwork, drawn directly onto cotton fabric with a dark brown Pigma Micron pen which contains waterproof, fade proof archival ink. To make my job a little easier, I ironed Reynolds freezer paper to the wrong side of the tan fabric. This stiffened the fabric to make it more manageable, and was easily removed by simply peeling it off after finishing the drawings.
This is the full front view of the home, which sits on a hillside overlooking the woodlands and farms of Greene County, Pennsylvania. Drawing all of those logs and stones was a wee bit time-consuming! Below is the front porch, with its rockers and picnic table. And, of course logs, logs, and more logs!
The quilt has a batting that is 80% cotton and 20% polyester. I kept the quilting to a minimum on the drawings, because I wanted to have a consistent amount of quilting across the entire quilt – it helps it to hang flat, without bulges and waviness.
The pretty front door seemed worthy of a square of its own …
Next, through the front door and into the cozy living room, with its overstuffed furniture, stone fireplace, log walls, hardwood floor, and wood ceiling. I got really good at drawing wood grain by the time this block was finished!
A favorite Bible verse was incorporated into the block below. The lettering was hand drawn. It looked a lot neater before I quilted the wallhanging and gently rinsed it. I guess the crinkled and puckery look is all part of charm of a quilt. It’s fabric, not paper, after all.
I machine quilted the wallhanging and used clear and smoke colored monofilament thread, so it wouldn’t compete with the inked lines of the drawings. This last block is my favorite …
After completing all the drawings, I stitched them together with a dark brown frame around each block and red sashing between them. I then raided my stash to find a colorful mix of fabrics for the “square-within-a-square” pieced border. I couldn’t wait to show my clients the finished product. They absolutely love it!
9 Comments
This quilt is absolutely stunning! Your artwork is amazing!
Thanks, Sharon! It was a lot of fun to do. But the most exciting part of it was seeing my customers' faces when I unveiled it!
Really beautiful….so very much detail and I know how the fabric "grabs" the tip of the Pigma Pen….you obviously spent many hours on this. Great job!!
Gorgeous!!! What an amazing talent and a beautiful gift!
George and Peggy Nutt's home, right? Leslie, what a God-given talent you have. Please hurry and publish something that I can buy and keep, like the book!
That's right, Cheri. George and Peggy were so excited about the quilt, every step of the way. And, hey, if you want to buy something of mine, head on down to Artisans, in Waynesburg. I have lots of artwork for sale there!
This is an amazing quilt-a real work of art.
This is absolutely amazing Leslie!!! You have been blessed with so much talent!!
It's marvelous! Gayle from Madrid, Spain