Saturday, April 14, 2007

Fading and Spiderwebs

The other day, Kathie from Threadlines showed off a gorgeous quilt she made in her early days of quilting, and she talked about how badly some of the fabric had faded. I too have a tale of faded fabric, and sadly, the fabric in question is in one of my all time favourite quilts.

I still have a piece of the original fabric, and I've pinned it next the the block in question on my Dear Jane quilt. I was just gazing over my quilt this one day, and my eye rested on this block, and I was thinking that I didn't remember the fabric being quite like that. Imagine how surprised I was when I found the original fabric and compared them. Now, this quilt isn't really that old - I finished it in 2000. It hangs on the wall in our dining room, and it doesn't get that much light, it's not a room we use that much, and all the other fabrics are really just as they should be. It's just this particular fabric. And you know what, it's not an el'cheapo fabric either, it's one of those museum collections. Oh well, it doesn't diminish my love for the quilt in any way, if anything it just adds to the charm.

And now on to the spiderwebs ... Last year while I was in Paducah, I was determined to find the Marti Michell stand. I really wanted to get a set of Double Wedding Ring templates, and I hadn't seen any I liked here in Australia. Imagine my surprise when I found it was actually her at the booth. I gushed 'Ohhh, I've come all the way from Australia to meet you'. She was so sweet and kind and did all sorts of demonstrations just for me, and I ended up spending a small fortune, as you do. Well, one of the things I bought was the Kaleido-Rule. Yesterday I took it out, and thought I'd have a play with it. You know ... you just can't rush these things ...

And here's the result - three spiderwebs. I think I remember seeing something like it on Norma's page a while back?. I made the one in the background at the top as a practice first, using up scrap 2"strips. You can see it's all random and a bit messy. The two in the front were made after I got the hang of it, and I used up some of my Sarah Johnson prints. Gosh I must have had them ten years now? Scary. This afternoon, we're heading to my parents for a BBQ, I'll finish the binding on them and give them to Mum as a gift. I'll even give her the practice one - I'm sure she'll find a use for it.


I'm off to play in the sewing room, there will be binding abounding!

13 comments:

Mary Johnson said...

The first quilt I ever hand quilted was given to my sister. It was a small quilt that she used on her table. Well, with 2 children it needed washing pretty frequently and it now looks like an older quilt because of the fading. I think it almost looks better than when I first gave it to her.

Silverthimble said...

I love your spider webs! *VBS*

Sew Create It - Jane said...

I love the random spiderweb...it works for me.
Your DJ looks lovely too...if anyone asks...don't tell them it's faded...tell them it has patina :o)

KC Quilter said...

Your Dear Jane piece still looks amazing--even with the faded fabric. In fact, I like it better than the original because it really gives it that Civil War flavor. Great job on your spiderwebs!

Unknown said...

That fading fabric is so sad. What will be left of our quilts when our great great granddaughters are around? But the DJ is a fabulous accomplishment nonetheless.

Joyce said...

For what it's worth, I like the faded fabric better. I have a few silk paintings that I did that no one can believe the background was once blue. The blue has completely faded to white. I think there is just too much light in our kitchen.

sewprimitive karen said...

Absolutely love your spiderwebs, Tazzie. So that one fabric faded all by itself and the others are still OK? It looks nice and antique-y though as long as you don't put the stored piece next to it.

Kairle Oaks said...

wow, that really has faded a lot, but the present color looks very nice, Tazzie.

Great spiderweb blocks!

Hanne said...

I have also had fabric fading badly on me over the years. Only one fabric ruined the work it was in, as it was so badly faded - from red to grey and the other fabrics had not faded much at all. We get only so called quilt shop quality here......
The spider web blocks are very nice.

Anonymous said...

Yes sometimes they fade but the look is still there and often softer and more appealing. I would rather they be on beds or up on the walls fading a bit than stored it a top cupboard not seen and not appreciated. Future generations won't know the exact colours (unless we leave too much stash). It is lovely quilt Tazzie so enjoy it.

Quilts And Pieces said...

I took a class from her a few years ago and loved it! I love your spider web blocks! What fun! And wow to the faded fabric. But you know, I think I heard somewhere that blue fades the most?

CONNIE W said...

I stopped by to say how much I admire the DJ photo. I haven't started yet but I hope to in the near future now that I have my supplies. I welcome any words of wisdom. :) Connie

Tonya Ricucci said...

ouch that fabric has really faded. but at least it faded into a very beautiful color and still looks great with the other blocks.

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