Embellish
16" x 20"
I know.
Let me explain.
The subtitle of this one should be "struggle". This is the first theme word that we've had that was a verb. I don't know why but it really threw me. I didn't want to just make another kaleidoscope and embellish it. So I converted the word to a noun: embellishment.
em·bel·lish·ment/emˈbeliSHmənt/Noun
1. A decorative detail or feature added to something to make it more attractive: "architectural embellishments".
So, what is a quilt embellishment? It's anything really. Of course, beads, yarns, crystals, foil and paint all come tom mind. But what's the most basic embellishment?
Thread.
But is color also an embellishment? I think so and that's how I wound up doing a quilt with only one embellishment: white thread.
Hence, a whole cloth kaleidoscope.
Not once during the past year and a half did I ever consider that I would do a whole cloth quilt for one of the challenges but this was perfect for me. I believe it meets the theme and it also introduced another new skill for me. This is my first ever whole cloth quilt! It's also the first feathered wreath motif that I've quilted and been reasonably satisified with.
Two other firsts include doing vast amounts of pebbling and serious curved cross hatching. Both, it turns out, are reasonably easy to master.
I enjoyed this one so much that I even did a real hand-stitched binding. I'd show you the back but it looks really similar to the front....except for the faint blood stain.
Please go over to the Fiberactions Blog later today and see what everyone else did for the challenge. I expect lots of bling!
Vicki, that is stunning!!! I love every single segment of it.
Posted by: ellen kuzemchak | May 15, 2011 at 06:15 AM
gorgeous!!!!
Posted by: sue bleiweiss | May 15, 2011 at 06:50 AM
Wow.....it's amazing. I love your take on the challenge....just fabulous!
Posted by: Yvonne | May 15, 2011 at 08:08 AM
Whatever you call it Vicki, it is gorgeous! I love all the design elements you used in it.
Posted by: Freda Henderson | May 15, 2011 at 08:50 AM
Beautiful work!
Posted by: Sue H | May 15, 2011 at 09:06 AM
It's very beautiful. Love the design.
Posted by: Carie Shields | May 15, 2011 at 09:13 AM
You keep pushing yourself and I'm amazed by all you do, and how well you do it and loved it when you said "Two other firsts include doing vast amounts of pebbling and serious curved cross hatching. Both, it turns out, are reasonably easy to master." Yes, I'd say you mastered everything about this quilt!!! Great work!
Posted by: Becky in VA | May 15, 2011 at 09:37 AM
Jaw dropping, awesome, amazing! Well done Vicki!
Posted by: Chris D | May 15, 2011 at 11:20 AM
WOW,WOW,WOW...you were right, I am SURPRISED!
Fabulous take on the word and your design and execution is spectacular.
Awesome Vicki!!!
Posted by: Deb Levy | May 15, 2011 at 11:25 AM
Incredible!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Suzanne | May 15, 2011 at 11:43 AM
Excellent! I think with all the "stuff" available to us to embellish with, we forget that the simplest of embellishments can really make a statement.
Posted by: Summerset | May 15, 2011 at 01:53 PM
This is jaw-dropping gorgeous. And your first one? How can you top this?
Posted by: Robin in Short Pump | May 15, 2011 at 01:58 PM
A wonderful quilt.....congratulations!!!!
Posted by: Frances | May 15, 2011 at 02:24 PM
The embellishments on this quilt are extraordinary - this quilt renders me speechless and in an utter state of awe.
Posted by: Gabriela | May 15, 2011 at 02:31 PM
Beautifully done!!!!Love your take on this one.
Posted by: Karen | May 15, 2011 at 02:40 PM
Reasonably satisfied? It's gorgeous. I love the soft pebbles against the crisp lines. I never would have thought of doing a whole cloth quilt, but the fabric is definitely embellished with beautiful stitches.
Posted by: Judy Rys | May 15, 2011 at 04:40 PM
Wow, this is fabulous. Love the design.
Posted by: Terri | May 15, 2011 at 05:24 PM
Absolutely wonderful embellishing!
Posted by: elle | May 15, 2011 at 07:37 PM
It's beautiful but unexpected. I also think it's pretty amazing for a first whole cloth quilt.
Posted by: Mary | May 15, 2011 at 08:44 PM
"reasonably easy to master" - really?
This is beautiful, Vicki. Please tell me you marked some of the design lines? If so, what product do you recommend?
Again, really nice quilt. You are so versatile.
Posted by: Kristin Farwig | May 15, 2011 at 11:33 PM
Beautiful Vicki. Great feathers.
Posted by: Desley | May 16, 2011 at 04:47 AM
It's glorious and PERFECT, Vicki...
...but did no one else remark about your offhand mention of the "faint blood stain"?!?!?!? Yeesh!:)
Posted by: Heather Woollove | May 16, 2011 at 05:01 AM
At first glance (before reading), I thought (feel free to steal my idea) that you had quilted x-number of identical whole cloth quiltlets & sent them out to the x-number of participants with their resulting instructions being to "Embellish this."
Love what you did, btw. (Less is sometimes more.)
Posted by: Amy | May 16, 2011 at 09:04 AM
Gorgeous work!
Posted by: What Comes Next? | May 16, 2011 at 11:50 AM
WOW! WOW! WOW! WOW, your machine quilting skills are amazing Vicki! Wow! I guess that means I'm speechless! ;o) Amazing! Stunning..... Wow, thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Carole Prevost-Meier | May 16, 2011 at 05:35 PM