The way it is.
When I made my first quilt I cut up a section of fabric and sewed it to another piece of fabric which in turn made a whole piece.
My first quilt was made from polyester sheeting squares that you could buy from the bedding company Actil and I didn’t really know I had made a quilt. I thought it was a cute comforter. I just added a polyester quilt in the centre, a sheet on the back and stitched it all together. There is was, a quilt for 8 year old son Benjamin joining our family from Mauritius.
At 38, he still has the quilt. At one stage I rescued it from his pickup.
It isn’t just a quilt, it’s the memory imprint of hand and machine, emotion and color combining to make something out of those collection of pieces.
So I decided to learn how to make real quilts.
In those early days of quilting it was an obsession to complete my quilt tops by piecing and learning the traditional quilt patterns. (we’ve all done it) Log cabin, half square triangles etc.
I began to appliqué the quilt tops, but I needed more definition. I added ink and made the appliqué. ‘drapplique’ – drawing and appliqué.
The appliqué, became, ‘realistic appliqué’ and then another passion developed, portraits and landscapes in fabric and thread.
But I had to draw everything by hand.
Then I discovered EQ4… and on my trusty computer I designed dozens of quilts and made many of them. I could even draw the appliqué in the computer.
But things have changed drastically over the years, now we can add one of our photos to an app on our phone or ipad, sometimes the computer and voila, its converted into an amazing image that we could use for quilting.
This app I used for this quilt is called Moku Hanga
A digital image of zebras from one of my own photos created a pattern and I have the beginnings of a quilt.
Waterlogue on the ipad or iphone can give you a realistic watercolor rendition and break down the colors to Create an image. These were also done while traveling.
But this is the latest app on the market. It’s called dreamscope. I drew this image of two men in Africa using my pen on the ipad pro. I added the photo to Dreamscope and selecting aa choice of backgrounds gave me this fabulous image. I could use it as a design for fabric, or a quilt.
Dreamscope and is available for phone or ipad.
Its one of the best I’ve ever used. It creates amazing images from your own photos and
Could I create a quilt from this? indeed I could I love the way it’s created the background and then divided up all the other colors.
Instamag and Dreamscope.
Dreamscope
You can even print your own fabric through Spoonflower. So I could send the images above to Spoonflower and produce my own fabric for furnishings as well as a quilt.
However, its not that simple, the resolution is quite low in the Dreamscope images… maybe I’m doing something wrong so I need to investigate further.
I used Pencil sketch Pro for this image from one of my photos.
I spend hours on the plane, while I’m watching TV and even in bed designing on the ipad. (by the way I think every quilter needs an ipad) My mind is constantly challenged and technology has increased my desire to challenge myself even more as a Textile artist… I don’t think I should say I’m a quilter as such.. I’m an artist in textiles I love it. Its stimulating and challenging thanks to Technology.
Ohhhhh WOW Pam, my heart jumped when I saw the first photo and thought The Wave, then that fabulouse photo of Jamie that is a classic, how exciting this is. Just wish I was 20 years youngerLOL
Hi Glenda, I haven’t shown the photo to Jamie yet… I would like to have film inspiration coming from his hair… its his crowning glory but he’s also a documentary maker… I think its fitting.
The best part is if you stuff up during the design process,, you can start again with the original drawing/photo or whatever … or am I the only one who has to start again sometimes?
I mess up too, but that’s the beauty of the computer. I wondered if people ask you if they can use your patterns each day.
V
I love dreamscope!!!!
On Friday, February 12, 2016, I am Pam Holland wrote:
> Pam Holland posted: ” The way it is. When I made my first quilt I cut > up a section of fabric and sewed it to another piece of fabric which in > turn made a whole piece. My first quilt was made from polyester sheeting > squares that you could buy from the bedding compan” >
Its interesting isn’t it Carol. There are so many possibilities.
Thank you for sharing your insight into the apps you are using. Your blog is very inspiring. I find myself checking it first thing every morning. So glad to hear your grandson is doing well. We chatted several times in Houston. Enjoyed.
Donna
Donna, than you so much. I just write as I see it. Baby Jay is working his way through the process of wellness right now. Love him
I would love to see a book about your draplique.
Leilani, I need a few more hours in the day I’m afraid.
Have you tried the Enlight photo app for iPhone & iPad? That, too, creates amazing images from your photos.
Gina, thanks I’m going to try it.
I am waay waay back just starting to learning about log cabins and half square whatsists. These apps are mind blowing.
You have inspired me!
Mary
Thanks Mary, enjoy it.
Pam, Do you have any idea if comparable apps are available for Android and Windows? I don’t have any Apple products and I would love to play with apps like these.
Sandy, I honestly don’t know. you would need to check, I have a feeling that the Dreamscope one is.
THANK YOU! Dreamscope is possible for Android. I sure appreciate it!
Oops, re Dreamscope, images are still being saved online for all to see.
THANK YOU Pam ! for sharing you wonderful talent and tips. You are a remarkable artist and teacher. I bought your Craftsy class and am watching it over and over again. I learned so much from that and from your website and blog. I am a professional portrait painter and am working on converting some of my paintings into fabric and thread art.I hope you will teach more online classes. Would also love to take a real class from you at some point.
Thank you
Connie