Friday, March 23, 2007

Coloring Inside the Lines



Several of you left great comments on the post about the crayon quilt. I wanted to respond to those but ole' buddy Blogger is making that very challenging. Let's try again! First off, a couple of disclaimers: I am NOT an artist. I am NOT an expert on crayon quilts. Some of you wanted info on the highlighting and shading. I took a class several years ago from a local artist, Ann Dent, who gave us tips on this. She had us put the highlights in first because it is very difficult to later add light color to darker crayon. I usually use white ,yellowor other soft light color and just try to decide where the natural light would be shining. This is a b-i-g challenge for me so I usually just jump in feet first and start coloring!!! As for the shadowing, she had us use violets or umbers or other dark tones--never black--and spread the shading colors where it should naturally occur--again, big challenge for moi! The rest of the coloring would be a blend of crayons. After each coloring, the piece would be ironed with a clean paper towel on top of it. With each buildup of crayon and follow-up ironing, you begin to see the crayon become one with the fabric. Some of her other tips included peeling the paper completely off the crayons and using the long flat side to color, never the point. Pay attention to color value. Use plastic-tak to remove crayon crumbs as you work. After the final ironing, you can add a sketchy outline with pigma pen or embroider an outline with floss or leave it plain. I like some type of outline as it helps to define. Other embellishments can be added also. It is easy to find patterns--coloring books, redwork books, applique patterns--or be brave and draw your own!

The first photo is of Flags and Flowers that I did in Ann's class. Still need to figure out what to do with them LOL! Second photo is a crayon pillow I did before the class. It is just flat coloring, but I like it because it is very reminiscent of the 30s, a heyday for crayon quilts. I will have to load the finished Bo Peep later as Blogger has had enough for now!!! I hope you'll take a stab at crayon quilting. It will soothe your inner child!

Don't miss Tonya's beautiful post about Egyptian weavers and a most lovely quote on creativity. The quote went immediately into my book of favorite quotes. Go be creative!

6 comments:

Libby said...

Just beautiful - I'm a sucker for the flag and flowers are just the perfect touch.

Quilts And Pieces said...

Oh these are beautiful! I love them! I think you did great! And I would never have thought of doing them on a print fabric - it does give it a very cool look!

Darlene said...

Beautiful, Vera. I love a new box of crayons - sigh!

I observed a "coloring on fabric" demo a couple of years ago and have the itch to try it since then. Alas I have not :-( Anyway, the "teacher" also suggested that you lay your fabric on i.e. a piece of sandpaper and color your fabric - it's gives it a texture (am I making sense). She had several things for us to try and it was interesting to see all the different textures.

Unknown said...

I, too, love a new box of crayons. There's a new one in my drawer right now. You've inspired me! I really would like to try this technique. You've done a great job! Love the pillow.

Kairle Oaks said...

Your pillow and blocks look great.

Using crayons is a lot of fun. I just used some on the last quilt label I made. Nothing fancy, though.

Patti said...

Oh Vera, these are beautiful! I've had a pattern and fabric for a crayon colored pillow for years and still have never made it. It's the little house logo of my favorite quilt shop where I just spent a wonderful four days. Your pictures make me want to get it out and make it - it would be such a nice spring accent for the bench in our entry.