1610

Work continues on the Dahlia quilt. I have completed the quilting and trimmed the quilt and am now in the process of adhering approximately 3200 red Swarovski crystals on the background.

I started with 1940 crystals and have 300 left and I'm only half way!

I wasn't sure what design to quilt on the red background so I settled on a 1" grid. Adding Swarovski crystals at every intersection keeps the look and feel of the quilt contemporary.

A few of the 1610 crystals I've applied to the background so far.

I can't wait to get this quilt completed. I'm waiting for another 10 gross of crystals to arrive in the mail. It gets somewhat tedious applying these little gems but it is something I must do. 

The pictures really don't do the quilt justice but I'm really pleased with the result.

Peace to you.

Brian

Dye, dye, dye!

I have been asked by the Montana Art Educator's Association to teach a quilt workshop for their annual get together for Montana High School art students.  This years' workshop is being hosted by Glacier High School here is Kalispell.

I've had a lot of muslin scraps just hanging out in the studio the last few years, so I thought I'd dye the scraps for the kids to use in the quilt workshop. It is spring break here this week so I've been in the studio with my helpers dyeing muslin.

Sophie helped me rip down the muslin into manageable pieces.

Wasabi is helping all he can.

Mixing the dye powders into solution.

Dye molecules in solution looking for fiber molecules to bond with.

Muslin after soaking in soda ash.

Fiber molecules waiting for dye molecules.

Dyes have been added.

Helper Kitty making sure everything is o.k.

More beautiful fabric.