Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Book Release Celebration!
Introducing Chapter 8: Chairs and Gerrie

Oh, look! It is my turn. I almost didn't get this done on time. I am the last minute Twelve!! My name is Gerrie!

And, by now, most of you know the drill. I am going to say a bit about my chapter and then pose a question for you. If you leave a comment, you will get a chance to win a copy of our fabulous book Twelve by Twelve: The International Art Quilt Challenge. Did you know that it is getting rave reviews? Just check out one from the list in our sidebar. The book drawing is closed.  Stay tuned for the winner details.
Twelve by Twelve Theme Series by Gerrie Congdon
When Deborah announced the theme of Chairs, I immediately thought of the stack of turquoise chairs that I had photographed in a salvage shop. I had so much fun creating this piece. It allowed me to use several different surface design techniques.
Salvage Chairs by Gerrie Congdon
Before I pose my question, I want to take the opportunity to say that this has been a most interesting and exciting adventure that I have taken with the other eleven women.

I changed my question. I was supposed to ask you what size quilt you would like to make in an online challenge such as this. That seems rather limted to me. What I want to know is, what size art quilt are you most comfortable making or if you do not quilt, what size would you like to have hanging in your home? I have loved working in the 12 X 12 format. It has become very comfortable for me. I am currently working on a 36 x 48 inch quilt, and it is much more difficult for me to wrangle under the sewing machine. I usually try to do very simple quilting on a large quilt.

I am looking forward to your answers!

34 comments:

dutchcomfort said...

That’s a tough question, because I foremost feel attracted to a quilt and not to a size.
We don’t have much space to hang quilts, so something between 20 x 20/ 24 x 24 would be a lovely format.

Linda Robertus said...

I also love the 12 x 12 size, and generally to work in small formats - even postcards and ATCs. I'm trying to make bigger pieces but it's hard!

Josh Bonett said...

Hi :). As well as quilting, I work using video projection. So, my first response/instinct to your question, is 'let's do a cinematic' quilt! Maybe 3metres long (up to 10feet) and about 60cm high (24inches). Could be a fun aspect to work with. Still semi-manageable because of the height, but could be very impacting on a wall.
I know smaller is easier, but who doesn't love extra space for expression... :)
Love your chairs quilt, colours, texture. Looks awesome. Maybe you could now take some of that texture/surface design, and upholster a chair with it... you know, in case you were bored or something this weekend... :)
joshb@hillsong.com

lag123 said...

I had better start with crib size.

lag110 at mchsi dot com

Melissa said...

I like working small 12x12 is great, but up to 36x36 I like as well.

JB said...

I enjoy the 12 by 12 format which I have just recently started using. However I usually work somewhat larger. For on the wall, I have hung double bed sized quilts as well as some very small creations.

Cate Rose said...

That's always been one of my favorite pieces of yours, Gerrie.

I prefer smallish sized work -- 10x10 up to maybe 20x30. I can finish more work if the pieces are smaller, and try more things. Also it's because my studio is so small that I can't work on big stuff, also I have no place to store it.

Createology said...

Your quilt of chairs is charming. The colors are wonderful. Since I don't quilt I would have the largest quilt possible to show off the entire wall of inspiration. However if I did quilt it would certainly be the 12x12 as it seems very doable. Thank you for sharing yours.

Maree said...

I prefer lap size quilts but would love to try a smaller quilt around the 12 x 12 size.

Gill said...

I love chairs too! I'm also an upholsterer!!
I too enjoy 12 X 12 - sometimes smaller.
I don't often make full size quilts these days unless by special request!

Beth said...

For a quilt I'd be comfortable making with my dinky machine, it's 12 x 12. For a quilt I'd like to hang on our walls, it's more like 24 x 24. See my problem? :)

wordygirl at earthlink dot net

Christine said...

12 x 12 - you can do more and display more, and small scale has its own challenges. For a domestic setting, I think my maximum preferred size would be 36 x 36.

Dotti said...

I usually keep things at or less than 24 inches on any one side. I like working on a rectangular shape rather than squares, although I do both.

Jeannie said...

Your chair piece has always been on of my favorites. I love its graphic qualities. I like to work in a rectangle shape - 18 x 24 or so. I have yet to try a smaller format, but it seems like the time to do so!:)

Unknown said...

I love working in the 12x12 format, but long and slim suits my design asthetics more. Currently I am playing with 12x36 and 18x42 pieces.

Anonymous said...

I started out big (double bed size) and have down sized. Currently working on 12 x 12 for our group quilts. Like anything small enough to be comfortable quilting on my domestic machine.

Barbara Strobel Lardon said...

I like the rectangular shape the best so I usually work around 20x30 or skinnier. Sometimes a fat quarter can make the perfect size too.

Janet said...

I like 8.5 X 11. Probably something a bit bigger if I am planning on hanging it though.

Gina said...

I enjoy working on smaller quilts up to about 20"x30". Journal or 12"x12" would be fun challenge size.

CarolynPhi said...

Hi Gerrie!!!

I just finished reading your chapter in the book, and I found your narrative on how you created your "Chair" quilt fascinating!

Though I'm still not sure what a thermofax machine looks like, you've made me want to start looking for one...grin.

While reading your book, I have been amazed and surprized at the expertise, and lack of fear, you women have shown in mastering so many very technical and complicated techniques, such as: thermofax, silk-screening, dyeing, color discharging, photo manipulation programs, etc.,etc., etc... Again, you make me want to learn all of these things, too!!!

Okay, now to answer your question; I have come to love working on the 12"x12" format, because of the nearly instant gratification of being able take chances and try new techniques, and still be able to actually finish an art piece.

Thanks to each of you for helping your many fans feel that we, too, can learn to create interesting and beautiful art.

Carolyn in SoCal

Lisa Flowers Ross said...

I have trouble with very large sizes (partly because of a regular sewing machine). As you might have noticed in my play-along pieces, I have a hard time with a square format. I definitely prefer a vertical format, in any size.

wlstarn said...

I seem to go for between 18 and 36 on each side.

Renate said...

If I look at the quilts I have created, I think I have embraced the "go Big or go Home" sentiment. I have yet to fully embrace what some call "art quilts" but when I do, I would start with 12 x 12. HEY!!! That's you folks!!!!

Ruth said...

I like square quilts and the majority of the quilts I have made that were successful (in my eyes) were square. I am most comfortable with sizes that are around 36x36ins up to 40x40ins

Bev Longford said...

I have been loving reading the comments from the book review series. I usually like 40 to 50 inches, like to keep adding stuff. When I finish my present quilt 60 inches square I have decided that I am going to downsize. Sure would make adding embroidery, buttons and beads easier. Bev Longford

Dreamer said...

Your Salvage Chairs is one of my favorites. I like a fat quarter size quilt although I have made larger and smaller sizes.

oregonjudy said...

It doesn't matter what size my quilt starts out being, it always ends up twice as big as I intended. Luckily I have several big walls that can hold them.

Vicki Miller said...

My largest art quilt is almost double bed size, whilst some of my thread paintings are only 2x4 in, so I use a range of sizes for my work depending on what it is for. I am actually working on a 12x12 journal project at the moment, but I generally prefer a rectangle as it is more appealing to me

Exuberantcolor/Wanda S Hanson said...

I like anything from postcard size up to 24" square. With those sizes you can get a lot of 'up close' impact.

What Comes Next? said...

I tend to work in the 15-18 by 24ish range, Although I have made both smaller and larger

magsramsay said...

Small for experimenting with ideas and techniques - I've made around 200 'Journal Quilts' and 12 x 12 is my favourite format.
But these are just the planning samples for larger pieces - I like to work above a metre (apart from anything else this is minimum dimension for Festival Of Quilts Competition entry). Scaling up can be a problem, sometimes have to make intermediate sizes...
It helps that's I'm not doing this for my living.

Anonymous said...

12 x 12 to 20 x20 would work well
though some of my favorites are postcards and 8 x 10
Most of what I make I give away so don't have too much of my own to hang up.
Marsha in Va Beach

Lindi said...

I prefer a rectangular shape to work in, rather than the square. Anything from postcard size, up to about 15" on the long side.

Linda’s Textiles said...

I like working small, so far the biggest quilt I've made is 72cms x 109cms (28.5" x 43") 12 x 12" is a great size to work on but for looking at on a wall bigger is better!