I thought today I would show the back of my new art quilt so you can see the amount of quilting that has gone into this so far. I usually do not show the back but do get asked to show it by buyers as well as viewers. The reason for this is because I firmly believe that an art quilt is fiber art...fitting into the world of quilters as well as mainstream art. I feel it should be considered from the front fully and totally and the back should only be nice and neat and tidy with stitches that have good tension. I do not think it necessary to bury threads at the end of a quilting line or to be as precise as what is required of a bed quilt...which is always seen on both sides . How many collectors ask to see the back of an oil painting when considering whether to purchase it, or a watercolor or pastel...all of which many times have miscellaneous paint spatters or smudges on the back. An art quilt will hang on a wall and the back will remain unseen. Yes the sleeve and the label should be neatly done as should the binding if it is traditionally bound, and perhaps if a traditional pattern either pieced or appliqued it should meet those high standards. But quilts such as mine with many layers and many thread changes and dense quilting should only be required to be neatly done with all loose threads clip and removed. It is only my humble opinion but it is how I construct all of my pieces.
This is the quilting so far. Added some whiskers too.....loved adding those. It continues to come to life.
And here is me in my studio.....You can not see most of it...there is a cutting table to the left and that closet is huge and houses all my fabric, completed quilts, supplies, extra machines, boxes for shipping and miscellaneous other things. So nice to be able to shut the door and not worry about it fading in the sun either. Of course my buddy Ozzie is always with me....and my camera on the tripod ready for a quick photo of wildlife or just the beautiful woods outside that window.
