Artist Comment/Statement: In
2001 the PAQA (Professional Art Quilt Alliance) members challenged
each other to create a small art quilt representing a postage stamp. There
was a size restriction and a template provided for the perforated
edge of the piece, other than that you could make anything you wanted.
At the time of the challenge, I had purchased a book about the
artist Gustav Klimt. I was inspired by Klimt's "Tree of Life" painting to represent a
celebration of my age 55, and a reminder to myself that I should always do my
best (First Class). Because I believe that if you do your best, then
you never have to second-guess yourself or look back with regret.
Techniques: All
of the applique's were raw-edged fused to the yellow background. Fabric
flat piping was added to the edge, and then the final border was added. The
whole top was layered and quilted. The edge of the border was cut
to match the challenge template, and serged. A liquid sealant
was added along the final border edge to prevent any raveling to
the raw-edge of the border.
Materials: Fabrics
used were commercial cottons, batiks, and hand-dyed cottons. Batting
used was a polyester batting. Machine embroidery and quilting
was done using metallic, rayon and monofilament nylon/invisible threads. Fabric
paint and alphabet rubber stamps were used for the lettering.