If Napoleon Was a Tree - Technical Post

 I thought I'd do a separate post about the more technical side of how I put together my recent art quilt.

 The fabric was the most important part (obviously). I needed something in the right color range and pattern that would read as wood.  I found a perfect fat quarter piece at the LQS.

 I do love my batiks!

 I conveniently had a bowl that measured 12" across, so I traced that and cut out my circle shape.

 I marked the center and then in four places across, I marked off every 1/8 inch.

 I knew it would be difficult to see and sew the center spiral, so I went ahead and drew it out, connecting the marks.  Why a spiral?  Especially since a tree has rings?  Well, I wasn't going to stop and start and bury threads for 48+ circles, therefore a spiral = non-stop sewing.

 At this point I had a backing, layer of interfacing, black felt, another layer of interfacing, batting and then my fabric.  It was too thick.  I could barely close the safety pins, so I suspected that the quilting might not go well.

 I took out the batting, basted it, and ready to choose thread.

 Four choices.  I ended up using the Aurifil (at top).  No big surprise there.

 I started quilting the spiral.  I realized when I got to about this point, I was going to have to draw in more of the lines.

 So I did.

 Back to the quilting.

 The back.  I think I mentioned in the last post, but really, if I had known how good the back would look, I totally would have used a wood color there, too.  It would have practically been reversible.

 I used a satin stitch on the edge of the fabric after all the lines were quilted.  I then trimmed the back fabric up to the satin stitch.  I tried to cut the felt in a 'bark like' edge.

 Here's the finished top - before tags.  Mr. Riley thought it was a real piece of wood lying on the table, and liked it.

 The back. 
As for the tags, they are just two layers of white cotton fabric with a layer of Wonder Under in between.  I used a Pigma Pen to write the dates.  Confession:  They are not exactly permanent.  I am really happy with the whole aspect of the art quilt - but I wasn't sure that I would want the Napoleon aspect of it permanent - so if/when I'm ready, the tags can be removed without damaging the quilt.

 My inspiration photo.
You can go to my previous post about this quilt HERE.

Our next Theme is Fire.  I think I already know what I'm going to do!
 Reveal date is May 1.

Four-In-Art Nature: Tree Reveal

Today's the day!

I call it "If Napoleon Was A Tree"

 For a better understanding, here are my inspiration photos.

 When Elizabeth announced Tree as our theme.  My mind went in a million directions.  Christmas, Pines, Lone tree in the sunset, Snow covered tree, Large trunk/root system, Or even piled split logs.  When I thought back to a large cut round in the Milwaukee Public Museum, I knew that's what I wanted to do!

 The quilt before the tags were added.

 The back.  If I had known it would look so good from the back, I would have chosen a wood color for the back as well.

 Now, I'm sure you're wondering, why Napoleon?  When I originally came up with the idea, I thought that perhaps I'd tag major events in my own life.  However, the more I thought about it, the more creepy it was, as if my 'tree had been cut down.'  Anyway.  I had about 48 rings marked out, so my thoughts turned to my mother, but it was just too personal.  So, Google to the rescue.  I simply started searching on dead famous people and came across Napoleon Bonaparte who had died at age 51.  I knew I could squeeze in a few more rings, and thus: "If Napoleon Was A Tree" was born.  I narrowed major events in his life down to 16.

August 15, 1769: ·Napoleon Bonaparte born in Ajaccio, Corsica.

March 2, 1786: ·Napoleon is given command of the French army in Italy

March 9, 1796: ·Napoleon marries Josephine

August 1, 1798: ·Under the command of Admiral Nelson, the British fleet destroys the French navy in the Battle of Aboukir

November 9-10, 1799: ·Following a coup d'etat, Napoleon becomes First Consul of the new French government

March 25, 1802: ·Treaty of Amiens signed with Britain

May 3, 1803: ·France sells Louisiana territory to U.S.

May 18, 1804: ·Senate proclaims Napoleon Emperor

March 17, 1805: ·Napoleon is crowned king of Italy in Milan

October 21, 1805: ·The Battle of Trafalgar marks yet another naval defeat to the British under the command of Admiral Nelson

July 22, 1807: ·Napoleon creates the Grand Duchy of Warsaw (Poland), to be overseen by France

1810: ·Marries Marie-Louise, Archduchess of Austria

1814: ·Napoleon abdicates his rule and Louis XVIII, a Bourbon, is restored to the French throne ; Napoleon is exiled to Elba

June 18, 1815: ·Defeated in the Battle of Waterloo

June 22, 1815: ·Abdicates for the second time

October 16, 1815: ·Napoleon is exiled to Saint Helena

March 5, 1821: ·Napoleon dies

If Napoleon was a tree...I think he'd either be a Buckthorn which is an invasive species around here that is hard to kill, or a Locust Tree.  Fast growing and hard to kill, but ultimately short lived as far as trees go.w


 I'll do another post on the details of putting it together.

I am going to schedule this to post at midnight, because internet has been sketchy here.  I will update with links from Elizabeth, Betty, and Leanne as I get the chance.