Monday, March 15, 2010

It's a Family Thing VI

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!

    21 comments:

    1. i wish i learned all that at 16!! and the block... still super cute! tell her she did a great job!

      ReplyDelete
    2. Hahhaa...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!:)
      Great 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!!

      ReplyDelete
    3. 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!

      ReplyDelete
    4. Cool Project, and a great way to learn and teach. Enjoy your sewing time together.

      ReplyDelete
    5. I'm with Julie! What a lovely looking patchwork cube, Steph may have to tag along on school holidays when we hit the shops!

      ReplyDelete
    6. What 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

      ReplyDelete
    7. That'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.

      ReplyDelete
    8. Very cute block. How great for you and her to work together on this. I love the photos. What a beautiful blue sky.

      ReplyDelete
    9. Here comes another generation of fabric and stitching inspiration!!
      Great photos!!!
      Andi :-)

      ReplyDelete
    10. i love this post. :)

      I hope that my students someday learn that process is part of product, and that there is joy taken in doing something, anything, with purpose!

      ReplyDelete
    11. 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!

      ReplyDelete
    12. What a beautiful and talented girl. Way to go Steph :-)

      ReplyDelete
    13. Such 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!

      Those photos are incredible. They made me feel happy and warm. What a gorgeous sky you have.

      It is cold and snowy here.

      ReplyDelete
    14. Wow! What a great experience. The cube is AWESOME!

      ReplyDelete
    15. What a fun and lovely project! And also good advice about the creative process and trying out new teqnics... Great pictures! Thank you for sharing.

      ReplyDelete
    16. Great work Steph! I love the photos too - it looks like you had fun through the whole process!

      ReplyDelete
    17. Great 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!!!)

      ReplyDelete
    18. I'm *still* working on the "that despite all your best efforts not all pieced blocks turn out the same size!"

      What fun! :)

      ReplyDelete
    19. 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!

      ReplyDelete
    20. Wonderful pictures.

      ReplyDelete
    21. Love your Patchwork Cube Steph!
      Great Pictures!
      Oma.

      ReplyDelete

    Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment! I really appreciate it.

    Comments are published after review.

    Feel free to ask questions and I will answer either here or by email, as is appropriate.