Stories of family, creativity, and diverse distractions.

Barmaids and Gunslingers: Designing an art quilt

For my parents 50th anniversary, I decided to make them a small quilt.  Many of my quilts are wall hangings, instead of bed quilts.  I like to create designs that are unique.  This one was based off a photograph my parents had had taken while they were on vacation in Wyoming some years ago.  They had used it as a Christmas card a few years later and I had my copy of that.

Barmaids and Gunslingers

The card and my sketch.

I drew out the design on a larger scale and then started auditioning fabrics.  I wanted to try to recreate the tone of the image as well as the picture itself, and so chose a variety of tans and browns.

Choosing fabrics
Textures

I also looked for fabrics that had similar textures to the surfaces in the picture. For instance, I chose fabrics that looked like wood and feathers.

First, I pieced the background. I then appliqued on my folks and things like the little bottles. 

I used the quilting to emphasize the various features of the quilt, like the staircase.

Adding bottles to the bar. Ready to quilt before I embellish.

I embellished with ribbon, ink, paints, and other items.  The holster and belt are made of leather and I tacked on a real feather (snuck from Walt’s fly-tying supplies).

Using leather, feathers, ribbon, and yarn to add detail.

I thought this would be a good time to share this as we are coming up on another anniversary. 

Don’t forget to label your quilts!

I also sent out letters and emails to family and to their friends, asking them to send me pictures and stories.  I printed this as a booklet for them. 

Happy anniversary, Mom and Dad!

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1 Comment

  1. Sherrey

    we absolutely love and appreciate all your hard work that went into making the wonderful wall hanging! Thank you so much!

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