Don’t read this blog post if you are offended by swearing. By the F word. You have been warned.
It started with a couple indigo dyeing days over the last year or so. A little bit of prep work on the fabric – resist techniques using simple things like rubber bands and old CDs, plastic templates and rocks and more time consuming resist techniques using shibori stitch resist.
Hint…if you include a couple friends, it is a fun morning! The chemical side is real simple. It’s just a matter of keeping track of your time when mixing your brew.
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Next up is the design process. I have done one of these quilts before…using my indigo fabrics and improv techniques. Here’s a picture of the first one:
This time, I wanted to include words since I had just taken a class from Jessica Wheelahan on improv letters. I showed up at the class. There were only 4 of us so we had very personal attention. When asked what word I wanted to do – I said FUCK. Yup. That was my word. Sometimes no other word works. It is my favorite swear word. I don’t use it often but I like it. Here are my results from that class:
Next step was to put my fabrics up on the design wall. Initially, I was going to do “OFF, IT and YOU”. It seemed a bit harsh though so after consultation with a few peeps, I changed it to “Fuckity Fuck Fuck Fuck”. Now…doesn’t that sound sweet?
Once I was happy with the arrangement, it was pinned and then quilted using the Sweet 16. I used trapunto technique behind the letters as I wanted them to stand out. To make sure no one missed them.
And, the finished quilt. On my favorite fence (what is left of it) overlooking our side paddock and being held by Mr. W (note his cute boots!).
I like it. I’m pleased with it. It makes me smile and frankly, I don’t care what others think of it. Next time though, I might stick to my gut instinct and not soften the message. Sometimes F-OFF, F-IT and F-YOU are appropriate…even if only said under my breath.
Several people have asked me if I’m going to enter it into any quilt shows. Probably not. I did bring it to my local group for show and tell but I gave them a warning to close their eyes if they were easily offended. I’m not sure if people were offended or not as I received relatively little feedback. I’d like to show it because I think it is art and I think art doesn’t always just have to be PRETTY….it can relay a message. However, I don’t think I have a strong enough interest or the energy to rock boats any more. Fuck it.
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