Italy Quilt Inspiration

I belong to a group of quilt artists that makes art quilts each year based on a common theme. Each quilt must measure exactly 20 inches by 24 inches and contain interesting artistic techniques rather than traditional quilting. My first theme quilt with the group was about Animals, followed by Japan, Quotes, Gardens, Africa, Australia, Outer Space, Music and this year the theme is Italy. The group of quilts which total about 50 to 60 travel for two years to various art galleries, libraries and museums in Michigan. They travel to East Lansing, Alpena, Muskegon, Ann Arbor, Marquette, Escanaba, Okemos and other cities. Many of the quilts are priced for sale. Last year my Australia quilt sold at the Taubman Gallery at the U of M hospital. My Africa quilt was pictured in the Detroit Free Press. I will post pictures of my quilts on a later blog post.

I am working on my quilt this week and this is how it starts. I search the internet for ideas and pictures. I originally thought I was going to do three dimensional pasta for this quilt but changed my mind and I am doing a Tuscan Tree quilt.

I found pictures of Tuscany and its trees.

I look for simple shapes.

Color is important too.

Composition and depth is also important.

This is my rough sketch. It will eventually get more detailed and contain other changes.
Next I pick out fabrics. Since I am going to use the fusible method of applique I will be using hand dyed and batik fabrics since the cut edge will not show. I didn't like the blue sky fabrics with my oranges and greens so the quilt will have a sunny sky.
I really want to use my oranges, golds and greens in this quilt.
I doubt that the bright purple/pink fabric will survive the first weeding out of fabric.
Close up of the yellow orange pink sky. I think it might be a sunrise in Tuscany. Stay tuned for the final product later on this blog.

For some reason I am on a kick to make a tutu for Madeline. I saw some very cute tutus on http://www.esty.com/ and they look very easy to make. After work I stopped at Jo-Ann's for Wonder Under and before I knew it, three bolts of tulle jumped into my cart and on to the cutting table. Madeline can't even walk yet! What is she going to do with a tutu? Oh well, I can practice making tutus so I will be very skilled when she is ready to wear one. I think I am getting very excited to finally have a little niece or two so I can make fancy frilly things.

Well Muffin is letting me know that it is his bed time. So that is all for now.