Sewing an Installation Art Piece

I had a very unique opportunity back in Feb-March of 2016 to sew 35 painted portraits together for John Coleman, a local Portland, Maine artist. It was so incredibly difficult to be responsible for these works of art, but also, so humbling and exciting to be engaged in such a unique opportunity. If you are interested in reading the whole story he allowed me years ago to share the pics but I held on to it longer and just saw it in my drafts...so take a step back in time...don't mind the tense - I wrote this post later that year, but won't go back in and change the tense.

("The Funny Thing about Time" - 35 black and white portraits, 34 of which have their eyes closed, are all of John's family and closest friends, one of which has eyes opened, the artist.)

I actually knew John because my husband worked with him when my husband first moved to Maine many, many years ago. One random day I was flying home and saw John in the airport and happened to be sitting next to him on the flight home. We got to talking and the conversation led to an old sewing machine he inherited and John wanting to learn how to sew because of some art pieces he wanted to hang for a show. He didn't know what to do and was stuck. I offered to teach him and met him weeks later at A Gathering of Stitches in Portland, Maine (which has since closed). I figured if he had future projects, he would have a place to go the next time, because Samantha has tons of room for him to sew his large canvas pieces. When all was said and done, he was leaving with his artwork exactly as he wanted it.

Months later, John emailed with another project "The Funny Thing About Time". One that was too big for him to take on himself, and asked if I was willing to accept the challenge. We met and went over all the details of the project and next thing I know - I was helping him carry rolls of painted canvas to my car in the snow, more nervous than ever before. What if I dropped them in the muddy snow? What if I cracked the paint? I was a mess. Gratefully I got them home and laid them in the studio. Then I stared at them for a day or two - nervous again to do anything to them. As an artist myself with oil paintings from my college years - I couldn't imagine something happening to them while in the hands of another.

(This is the artist himself, John Coleman. The only portrait with eyes opened.)

First thing was first - I had to trim every single painting so each face was relatively in the vertical and horizontal centers. The only way to do this was to create a template. I trimmed each one and was supposed to leave the far left edge of the left column and far right edge of the right column alone, as well as the top edge for the hems, and the bottom edge of those respective rows to keep raw. All was going well until the last painting on the bottom. I cut off the edge. My heart sank knowing this was going to be the double rolled hem allowance I wanted and I just cut it off. Luckily I still allotted a 1" border for seam allowance on all sides of every piece so I sucked it up and kept going.

(Samantha had the best machines at A Gathering of Stitches in Portland, Maine!)

I finished cutting half of them and took them back to Samantha's place and used her TacSew machine to sew these pieces together. (This machine is a serious beast and I actually miss sewing with it - just saying.) I sewed a whole row together correctly.

(This was my first finished row.)

Then the second row I got two mixed up and had to take them apart. No harm no foul. Since those went together pretty easy, I went back home and finished trimming all the other paintings.

(This is the center row, with the artist's wife in the forefront, and his children if I recall correctly, above him.)

Eventually I had all of the columns sewn, and it was time to sew them all together. I asked John to meet me at AGOS knowing the columns were going to get too heavy for me to safely lift on my own, which worked out to be spot on. Even with the two of us - it was a serious workout.

(I'm pretty sure this is the largest "quilt" Samantha has ever seen in her studio space.)

John recently sent me pictures of the finished project hanging in all it's glory and I just had to share (with his permission of course).

(This is how you would see it if you were at the gallery walking around looking at all of the art.)

I hope to get a blurb from John about the meaning of this project. He told me - but it's been a while and I don't want to botch it. What I got from it was that we have to work really hard to maintain the relationships around us, money isn't everything, and time is fleeting. Eventually we will loose the people around us that we love dearly and we will be left alone.

(Money bags are attached to the top corners to make it even harder to pull open - just like trying to gain financial status can make it harder to keep the relationships around us)

It really was amazing and scary to work on such a HUGE installation piece, but I tried to be intentional with every single point and didn't royally mess anything up. As he helped with the larger sections - he said he didn't realize I was being so careful with lining things up, or that it needed to be. As all of the points and corners came together - he realized the benefit and importance of being precise. Thanks heaven's for the template to cut each one out, and the blue tape on the TacSew for seam guidance.

If you would like to see the video of John opening (and closing) the whole piece you can by clicking the link. Thanks for stopping by.

The Puppy Portraits Cross Stitch SAL: French Bull Dog

I know I'm not supposed to pick favorites - so I won't - but I have loved this one from the very beginning and hope you will too. This little dapper dog has a sweet little bow tie and a very elegant, very "old fashioned frame" with an enormous bow. I'm so excited to introduce you to the second puppy in the Puppy Portraits cross stitch a long. It's the ever loving, small - but mighty, French Bull Dog!

 

If you are new to the Puppy Portraits stitch a long, you can find out more about it in the first June post...here and more about the Aurifil company. I also had a chance to talk to Erin a bit and shared a lot about this project and why I love Aurifil. You can read all about it over on their Auribuzz blog. If you haven't signed up yet, it's never too late. You can sign up now. Reserve/purchase your patterns by filling out the Puppy Portraits Google form linked via the button below.

Just a reminder: We are not charging for this event in the traditional sense. Rather, we simply ask that participants make a donation to a charity that is close to theirs hearts or homes to offer passionate and targeted support to those in need. The signup form will require the following details:

— When and where a donation was made (donations must be dated June 10, 2021 or later)
— Donation amount (minimum of $12)
— Screenshot or other proof of donation

We’re excited to be tracking all donation totals as well as the charities, organizations, and foundations that you all have chosen to donate to. To date we have raised well over $2500! We’ll share all the details at the end of the stitch-a-long. Participant names and individual donation amounts will not be shared and will remain anonymous.

Upon signup, your name will be added to our pattern distribution list and you’ll receive a PDF download with the stitch-a-long frames. Because the registrations are being confirmed manually, the first email won't go out the second you sign up. All "FIRST" emails will only be sent on Friday mornings. If you register Friday night or Saturday morning, you may not get the first email until the following Friday. We appreciate your patience. All subsequent portraits will be arriving on the 2nd Thursday of each month for the remainder of the 12 months. The frames are numbered in the order in which the puppy portraits will arrive, so please be sure to stitch them in order as noted if you want to get ahead. When you finish your new ‘puppy of the month’, you can then continue working on the frames.

If you'd like to order the Puppy Portraits collection and your color choice of Lugana precut linen (mushroom is shown above), you can find it in my Kid Giddy Etsy shop. I currently have stock of three different linen fabrics but quantities are limited. Once they sell out it will be considered a pre-order and will ship when more product arrives. We appreciate your patience!

To all that have joined us thus far, we are so excited to have you. To those still deciding or just finding out, we can't wait to have you join the party! We truly hope you will stitch-a-long with us over this next year and feel good about being a part of this special project.

Disclosure: There are no affiliate links. Thank you.

The Puppy Portraits SAL: Mini Poodle

It's still month two (albeit late) so I'm going to share the first puppy release with you before the second one comes out in August! We released the Frames to get you started back in June. Who's the first out of the gate? None other than the Mini Poodle...the youngest and smallest of the bunch. He hasn't grown into his full color yet, but he's still as cute as can be. 

If you are new to the Puppy Portraits stitch a long, you can find out more about it in the first June post...here and more about the Aurifil company. I also had a chance to talk to Erin a bit and shared a lot about this project and why I love Aurifil. You can read all about it over on their Auribuzz blog. If you haven't signed up yet, it's never too late. You can sign up now. Reserve/purchase your patterns by filling out the Puppy Portraits Google form linked via the button below.

Just a reminder: We are not charging for this event in the traditional sense. Rather, we simply ask that participants make a donation to a charity that is close to theirs hearts or homes to offer passionate and targeted support to those in need. The signup form will require the following details:

— When and where a donation was made (donations must be dated June 10, 2021 or later)
— Donation amount (minimum of $12)
— Screenshot or other proof of donation

We’re excited to be tracking all donation totals as well as the charities, organizations, and foundations that you all have chosen to donate to. To date we have raised well over $2000! We’ll share all the details at the end of the stitch-a-long. Participant names and individual donation amounts will not be shared and will remain anonymous.

Upon signup, your name will be added to our pattern distribution list and you’ll receive a PDF download with the stitch-a-long frames. Because the registrations are being confirmed manually, the first email won't go out the second you sign up. All "FIRST" emails will only be sent on Friday mornings. If you register Friday night or Saturday morning, you may not get the first email until the following Friday. We appreciate your patience. All subsequent portraits will be arriving on the 2nd Thursday of each month for the remainder of the 12 months. The frames are numbered in the order in which the puppy portraits will arrive, so please be sure to stitch them in order as noted if you want to get ahead. When you finish your new ‘puppy of the month’, you can then continue working on the frames.

If you'd like to order the Puppy Portraits collection and your color choice of Lugana precut linen (mushroom is shown above), you can find it in my Kid Giddy Etsy shop. I currently have stock of three different linen fabrics but quantities are limited. Once they sell out it will be considered a pre-order and will ship when more product arrives. We appreciate your patience!

To all that have joined us thus far, we are so excited to have you. To those still deciding or just finding out, we can't wait to have you join the party! We truly hope you will stitch-a-long with us over this next year and feel good about being a part of this special project.

Disclosure: There are no affiliate links. Thank you.

The First Ever Ugly Sweater Block Party

Two things I love in life...Christmas and crazy fun summer block parties...are coming together in just a couple of weeks in a whole new way! You know...all things jolly, the oh so swanky Ugly Sweaters, mistletoe and Santa!...and in the heat of the summer sun, those parties that shut down neighborhood streets, go all day long, and involve laughter and all the yummy foods the neighbors can bring?! Well it won't be in person and hopefully you have A/C and can crank it so high you legit have to wear an "ugly sweater"...but here's the deal...We are having a party and we want you there. Last year I couldn't celebrate the 5 year anniversary of the Original #UglySweaterBlock while making masks and sewing medical gowns during a pandemic, so I'm celebrating now and it just won't be as fun or the same, without you.

If you missed the news on Instagram - I have teamed up with Ebony Love over at @retreatfromhome to host the very first super fun #UglySweaterBlockPARTY on July 24th! This will be an all out fun day online, meeting new friends during the mingle and jingle events, accessing the two exclusive event patterns (not available to the public until next year), TONS of prizes and AMAZING shopping discounts from our awesome sponsors.

There is also a special limited edition swag pouch for the first 200 attendees, and special goodies for the first 25, 50 and 100 attendees! You will not want to miss this opportunity to gather together for swapping fabrics, blocks and fun/ugly sweater tales while learning all my tips and tricks in my two live classes. Head over to

RetreatFromHome.com to sign up and then grab one of the “I’m attending” badges to share from my first #UglySweaterBlockPARTY post on IG or down below!

🌟If you refer a friend - make sure they tell us your name…we will be giving out a prize for the most referrals! Ok - ready - set - go! Registration closes on 🌟

 

 

We can't wait to party with you!

Disclosure: There are no affiliate links. Thank you.

The Pocket Economy Block

If you are new to quilting or have been quilting for a long time, you likely know or have heard of the Economy Block. It has also been called the "square in a square" or the "diamond in a square" block. I've loved it since I first learned about the basic block. It didn't take me long to make a Micro Mini Economy Block in various sizes and offer it with other basic hexie and square paper piecing blocks that can be downloaded in my Etsy shop, as a bundle, if you want to sew small and use up some of those scraps!

Now I've got a fun new spin on the Economy block for you. Kim @PersimonDreams invited me to participate in her "Old School BOM" sew along throughout this year and I'm excited to share my fun add on to the basic economy block for the month of June. If you've already been sewing I hope you are having fun sewing through all the amazing "Old School BOM" with the other designers. If you are new to the sew along, I hope you'll take some time to check out all of the other designers FREE blocks that have been released.

So what's so fun about this new block? By adding two more pieces, you can make a fun pocket in the center and use the pocket for a sweet little note, little cuddle toy or something else. To get this fun Pocket Economy Block pattern and the simple instructions click the newsletter sign up link here. (PLEASE NOTE: Once you sign up for the newsletter, Mailchimp will automatically send you a confirmation email that you've signed up. Please be patient and await the actual "Welcome Newsletter" that will come some short time after. Be sure to check your spam/junk folders as emails are known to be filtered. Also note, I will not respond to rude and demanding comments or emails. This is a free pattern and negative behaviors will not be tolerated). There are paper template pattern pieces and two different sizes to make. You can sew one 12" block, or sew four 6" blocks and combine those four to make it 12" to fit with all of the other blocks. After you finish sewing your Pocket Economy Block, please be sure to share it with me by tagging me @kidgiddy on Instagram and use the #oldschoolBOM hashtag as well.

I look forward to seeing what's in your pocket! Thanks for sewing with me!

Disclosure: There are no affiliate links. Thank you.

Puppy Portraits and a Stitch-a-long

I am beyond excited to finally be sharing this nearly 3 year long project I've been working on with Erin over at Aurifil and the Aurifil company. I had a chance to talk to Erin a bit and shared a lot about this project and why I love Aurifil. You can read all about it over on their Auribuzz blog. 

Many people over the years have sewn my dog blocks, which started with the French Bulldog block and expanded to eleven more…with other breeds to come later this year. I was at my Mom’s childhood home one summer and saw a wall that was once filled with numerous framed portraits and family reunion photos. She was packing to move and I missed all of the photos. At the time I was trying to think of another fun quilt layout that would work for all 12 dog blocks in the series and thought of a wall of frames. I quickly decided I didn’t want to sew all those 12 blocks again, so I turned it into a cross stitch pattern instead.

When I thought of bringing the cross stitch pattern to “market”, I knew I didn’t want to make money from it, but wanted to do good with it. Oftentimes, designers are asked to give away free patterns to boost sales for one company or a certain product. But when I came up with this idea – there was no product, just the pattern. My idea was to find a way to encourage those that can afford it, to pay for the pattern with 100% of the proceeds to go to various charities. As mentioned, this idea has been in the works for well over a year…and on my end it’s actually been upwards of two and a half years, which was long before Covid. When Covid hit everyone was struggling one way or another, I knew all my prep work was worth it and this was the purpose for the project. To help others with the money raised from the pattern sales. Even though it wasn’t ready to release last year, we knew it would still benefit so many people and continued work on it. Aurifil offered to create the Puppy Portraits spool collection to make it easier for folks to get the colors I used and to help raise awareness to the project. I’m so grateful to work with companies that are actively helping to make a difference for everyone.

We are so excited to share that the Puppy Portraits Stitch-a-Long officially kicks off TODAY (June 10th). Can you guess three of the dogs that might be included on the portrait wall? Reserve/purchase your patterns by filling out the Puppy Portraits Google form linked via the button below.

We are not charging for this event in the traditional sense. Rather, we simply ask that participants make a donation to a charity that is close to theirs hearts or homes to offer passionate and targeted support to those in need. The signup form will require the following details:

— When and where a donation was made (donations must be dated June 10, 2021 or later)
— Donation amount (minimum of $12)
— Screenshot or other proof of donation

We’re excited to track all donation totals as well as charities, organizations, and foundations included. We’ll share details at the end of the stitch-a-long. Participant names and individual donation amounts will not be shared and will remain anonymous.

Upon signup, your name will be added to our pattern distribution list and you’ll receive a PDF download with the Stitch-a-Long frames. The first puppy portrait will arrive in your inbox on July 8th (if you’ve signed up by July 7th), with all subsequent portraits arriving on the 2nd Thursday of each month for 12 months. The frames are numbered in the order in which the puppy portraits will arrive, so please be sure to stitch them in order as noted. When you finish your new ‘puppy of the month’, you can then continue working on the frames.

If you'd like to order the Puppy Portraits collection and the Lugana precut linen (as shown above), you can find it in my Kid Giddy Etsy shop. These are pre-orders and will ship when the product arrives. We appreciate your patience!

We truly hope you will stitch-a-long with us over this next year and feel good about being a part of this special project.

Disclosure: There are no affiliate links. Thank you.