| Art quilting has become immensely popular in recent | | | | • Thread: thread painting, free motion |
| years as more women and men take a step beyond | | | | embroidery, free motion quilting, bobbin-work, couching |
| traditional quilting and venture into this very creative | | | | These special art quilting techniques can be studied |
| field. But what exactly is an art quilt? | | | | through books or in live workshops or on-line classes. |
| An art quilt is most commonly defined as having the | | | | They are fun to learn and provide the art quilter with |
| basic characteristics of a quilt, i.e. a layer of batting | | | | their own unique art quilter's palette of skills. There are |
| sandwiched between two layers of fabric and held | | | | also many on-line art quilt groups offering information |
| together with stitching, however this is where the | | | | and resources for art quilters who want to stretch |
| similarity ends. | | | | themselves further. |
| As with traditional painted art, an art quilt comprises the | | | | Additional Techniques |
| same elements and principles of design and is intended | | | | Additional art quilting techniques can be used to create |
| to hang on a wall, but because of the nature of fabric | | | | interesting and unusual textures, shapes and design |
| it can be manipulated or cut to any shape or size and | | | | elements. Some of these techniques include: |
| has a tactile quality and surface design texture not | | | | • Needle felting |
| found in painted art. Further embellishment of the | | | | • Photo transfers |
| surface of the art quilt can provide additional interest | | | | • Foiling |
| and texture. | | | | • Using a heat gun to distress fabric |
| Special Techniques | | | | • Using papers and plastics as structural |
| Art quilting requires special sewing and quilting | | | | elements |
| techniques that are used to create the surface | | | | Express Yourself |
| structure and texture of the art quilt, some of which | | | | Art has always been an expression of ourselves and |
| include: | | | | our environment; a reflection of our thoughts and |
| • Appliqué: hand, machine, raw edge, | | | | dreams, and can be either subjective or objective, and |
| turned under, fusible, reverse | | | | so it is with art quilting. The only difference is the |
| • Color Application: hand-dyeing, tie dyeing, | | | | medium - fabric and thread instead of oils or |
| stamping, fabric painting | | | | watercolors; batting instead of canvas. Plus the added |
| • Embellishing: beading, hand-stitching | | | | ability to add further surface embellishment and texture |
| • Embroidery: hand, machine, free-standing | | | | through the use of special art quilting techniques. |
| • Machine Stitches: decorative, faux hand-quilt, | | | | The journey into art quilting is addictive and seductive |
| zig-zag, satin-stitch, twin needle | | | | and can be very rewarding. Either as a recreational |
| • Piecing: straight, curved, strip | | | | hobby or a serious art form, it is a great outlet for |
| • Quilting: hand, machine, free motion | | | | self-expression. |