Wednesday, September 23, 2009

BE AN UNPREDICTABLE QUILTER

This is another sample on display at the two-day workshop held this week by the West Michigan Quilter’s Guild. Teacher/author/quilter Mary Lou Weidman has introduced us to a new way of making these awe-inspiring quilts. She encouraged us to move out of our box and not be predictable. Mary Lou’s quilts are anything but predictable. That’s what keeps the mystery in her quilting.

These blocks above are Mary Lou’s samples for the Flower Power workshop. Her flowers, birds, and insects are powerful and unique. They are also a challenge to the more traditional quilter who is not so comfortable moving out of her box. A lot of grumbling and giggling could be heard throughout the day. With Mary Lou’s encouragement, we plodded on and actually came up with some nice blocks.

Above are some of the blocks we students made during the two-day workshop. We have a long way to go before we achieve Mary Lou’s creative beauty, but she got us started and on our way. Mary Lou says that the scrappier a quilt is the better because it makes a quilt interesting and less predictable. She is an excellent teacher, and kept us sewing and cutting steadily throughout the two days. We certainly got our money’s worth with Mary Lou teaching us and urging us to tap into our inner creativity.

This is a close up of one of the wall hangings made during the day. Didn’t this student do an excellent job! She said she is going to put a green border around it. Check out Mary Lou’s blog for more creative ideas. The link is on my sidebar.
Until next time, Happy Quilting! And be unpredictable!!!
Caroll

7 comments:

Terry said...

Oh wow! These are so cool! I love how bold they are! :0)

Vicky F said...

Hi Carole,
Very nice photos. You captured the essence of the day perfectly. The evening lecture was fun; Mary Lou told stories that we hadn't heard in class. And you should have seen the swarms of West Mich Quilt Guild members go to the front on break to check out her quilts up close.
Have fun working on more blocks!
Vicky F

Barb said...

That is really inspiring....I love the unpredictable of it all...the different...uniqueness of it.

Lurline said...

Bold and Beautiful - who could be unhappy working in this environment?
Hugs - Lurline♥

Kimberly Mason said...

Awesome! More pictures, please! *G*

Micki said...

These quilts are awesome. I just found your blog, and boy am I glad that i did. I just love these art quilts.
Thanks for sharing!
Micki
In Ireland

Paloma said...

Hmmm unpredictable...I'm having a bit of trouble aboult what to make for Tanya's block. This post is very helpful. Thanks for sharing!

lkjlkj

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