My 16 year old daughter is studying Studio Art as part of her VCE studies, something I wish I could have studied way back then.
Her instructions for this project were left to her creative imagination. The step by step documentation of the entire process is the key to success, rather than the finished product. Thorough documentation is required for all practice runs, difficulties encountered, testing of ideas, materials and equipment used, whilst taking progress photos along the way.
And the final product is a Patchwork Cube, made independently after I introduced her to the very useful Half Square Triangle.
Steph enjoyed raiding the fabric stash and has learned much from her foray into the patchwork world. Not only did she learn how to sew a quarter inch seam, but also:
- that despite all your best efforts not all pieced blocks turn out the same size!
- sewing with tomato red thread it not a good idea
- fabric is stretchy if you don't cut it straight
- dinosaur school sewing machines are not for taking apart
- mum's spare sewing machine is pretty cool after all
- that you learn from your mistakes.
Steph so enjoyed her project that I have absolutely no doubt that there will be more fabric play to come. My stash is her stash - with the odd exception of course! I must also say that this photo shoot was hilarious with many outtakes picturing only blue sky. In the end any portion of the cube captured in an image was considered a bonus!
i wish i learned all that at 16!! and the block... still super cute! tell her she did a great job!
ReplyDeleteHahhaa...Half"Square"Triangles at their best! What a great project, now she can go into business making these for children...heck...I would love one myself!:)
ReplyDeleteGreat job and lovely blue sky...we have had an inch of rain every day for the last 3 days...but then again...the snow if finally gone!!
Love it!! My 16 year old also had to do a similar project in FACS (Family and Consumer Sciences) formerly known as Home Ec. She made an apron from my/her stash and it was sewn on dinosaur school machine that had every trouble known to man. But in the end was successful, much like your daughter. She must just love the final cube! Way to go!
ReplyDeleteCool Project, and a great way to learn and teach. Enjoy your sewing time together.
ReplyDeleteI'm with Julie! What a lovely looking patchwork cube, Steph may have to tag along on school holidays when we hit the shops!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful gift you were given to have a daughter who raids your stash!!! Love the cube photographed in the air! I am having a giveaway if you would like to join me on my blog. You are a hero of mine and I would be honored! Em Celebrates at http://www.wonkyquilter.com
ReplyDeleteThat's great to see your daughter getting behind the machine! I am having a baby soon, a little girl, and have fantasized that she might one day be interested in learning quilting... and that I might teach her! The flying geese look great, by the way.
ReplyDeleteVery cute block. How great for you and her to work together on this. I love the photos. What a beautiful blue sky.
ReplyDeleteHere comes another generation of fabric and stitching inspiration!!
ReplyDeleteGreat photos!!!
Andi :-)
i love this post. :)
ReplyDeleteI hope that my students someday learn that process is part of product, and that there is joy taken in doing something, anything, with purpose!
Cute fabric cube! Late last summer my daughter picked up a free apron pattern when she was at a fabric store with me, and the next thing I knew she was sewing on my machine and using my fabric when I was at work. And I LOVED IT!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful and talented girl. Way to go Steph :-)
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful block. Your daughter is lovely as well. I wish I had been encouraged to sew in school and I wish my Mom had your stash!
ReplyDeleteThose photos are incredible. They made me feel happy and warm. What a gorgeous sky you have.
It is cold and snowy here.
Wow! What a great experience. The cube is AWESOME!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun and lovely project! And also good advice about the creative process and trying out new teqnics... Great pictures! Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteGreat work Steph! I love the photos too - it looks like you had fun through the whole process!
ReplyDeleteGreat cube!!! Careful, Rita - you might find your stash gets much less if she gets the bug for sewing!!!! (which means more shopping, so not such a bad thing, after all!!!)
ReplyDeleteI'm *still* working on the "that despite all your best efforts not all pieced blocks turn out the same size!"
ReplyDeleteWhat fun! :)
I wish I would have taken up sewing when I still lived with my mom. Must make you so happy she's doing art stuff you creative lady!
ReplyDeleteWonderful pictures.
ReplyDeleteLove your Patchwork Cube Steph!
ReplyDeleteGreat Pictures!
Oma.