Category Archives: What’s New?

Progress in the studio

Over the past week, I have spent many hours a day learning to drive my new Janome. It’s one of the wide-throated sewing machines, and it’s fun to have this much room to move the fabric around.

Stitch texture (quilting) on work in progress, by Andrée Fredette
It’s quite the transition from the 20-year old Bernina, but I am adapting quite well. I am having fun.

The smaller piece I have been working on is titled Que Onda? (What’s Up?) and is already textured. It’s ready for finishing touches. Below, 3 detail shots of the texturing.

Stitched texture (quilting) on work in progress by Andrée FredetteI revisited some favorite texture patterns of mine, to see how tension settings and various threads worked out with the new “beast”…
Stitched texture (quilting), work in progress by Andrée FredetteIt turns out that the Janome is really easy to manoeuvre… and remarkably quiet. Maybe that’s a hint that I should get the Bernina to the technician for a bit of maintenance. I still plan to use the Bernina for piecing.

Below, another pic showing two of the pieces in the works, the little one (Que Onda?) and the big one, It’s a jungle out there. The big one is on the floor, ready for pinning. Once that is done (tonight), I get to texture it to my heart’s content. This will put my driving skills to work!
Que Onda and Its a Jungle, 2 new quilts (work in progress) by Andrée Fredette
Jungle may still get trimmed quite a bit, depending on how I feel when I see it with some texture. I am not sure, yet, about the cropping of the piece. But I’ve decided to go with the flow and let it be fun. These colours are bringing out my inner child. I am letting the child play…

Thanksgiving Art Show on Saturna

Saturna is a small place, adrift between the mainland of BC and Vancouver Island, with a small population. It must be the water, the air, the greenery… because this island inspires a considerable percentage of the population. Saturna is home to several artists who will be showing their work during Thanksgiving Weekend.

As the dates near, more information will be available on the Art Saturna site.  In the meantime, here is the poster!

Thanksgiving 2012 Art Show on Saturna Island

End of summer? Not Yet!

After a few weeks (has it been that long?) of absence, I am back indoors and blogging.

Even though summer is not officially over, I can feel the change of season in the air.

A new season, and time to get serious about studio work. After a summer of wandering outside and goofing around in the garden, plus taking lots of pictures, it’s time to spend a bit more time inside.

Today, my work space looks like it was hit by high winds. I’ve turned the tables (literally!) to face my design wall – and the music (there is a mini-stereo on the shelves)… We will see if that helps focus the mind… Altogether a good thing. And rummaging through boxes of fabrics, I am rediscovering colours I hadn’t seen in some time.

Let us see what the next weeks bring.I just hope I don’t trip over the fabric.

Busy sewing studio on Saturna island, BC

 

Muse Winery Art Show: A Report

After the weekend art show at Muse Winery, on Vancouver Island, I got home last night, on the evening ferry. Once the car was unloaded, I put my feet up and had a glass of wine.  My body was tired (and my feet were aching… note to self: “get better shoes”!), but I felt very energized by the weekend. The people, the conversations, the art on display… it was all inspiring.

I have exhibited before, but the settings were entirely different. They were usually textile-oriented events, and most often, I was not in the room! This was definitely a new experience for me: meeting people and talking about my art, while standing right there, in front of it. And more importantly, talking about art quilts with quite a few people who are not familiar with that medium. Once I got over my initial shyness and hesitation, it became fun. I was “forced” to come out of my shell (smile)… and to become comfortable with that “spokesperson” role, not only for my work, but also for textile art in general.

It was especially nice to show my work among a group of artists who work in different media. I think that the contrast between these various modes of self-expression really enhances their display. I will let the pictures of the room speak for themselves. The pictures are a bit dark because I took them just after set-up, before the Friday night “vernissage”, so the lights are not all on….

I am also very happy to report that one of my new quilts – Trio – has been purchased and is going in a private collection.

And now, back to the studio…

Art Quilts by Andrée Fredette at Muse Winery Art Show, December 2011