Accidental
Landscapes: What they are and how they evolved
How can a landscape be accidental?
Lines and colors are carefully planned and the process of layering is left to
serendipity. Curved or zigzag strips are cut free form (no templates or
foundation bases are used), the edges are ironed under, then layered one on top
of each other starting from the sky and working to the bottom of the scene. The
scene is then pinned and topstitched. The topstitching is done 1/8” from the
edge which gives the surface a wonderful added texture.
When teaching my “Layered Curves
and Peaks” technique, my students would learn the topstitching technique by
creating a textured piece of
“Layered Curves” fabric. The fabric could then be used as is or cut up in
different ways to form fun designs. Often we would notice that if we viewed the
curved lines in a horizontal format we could envision little abstract
landscapes. I tried making some landscapes on my own and brought them to the
next couple of workshops. Everyone loved them and wanted the patterns! I told
them that they already knew the technique and besides, the landscapes went
together quite accidentally. I promised to try and write down the
“guidelines” for the colors and lines. That’s how I got into the pattern
business – accidentally! (my “Accidental Landscapes” article was featured
in the Summer 2003 issue of the “American
Quilter” magazine)
Click
here for information on Accidental Landscapes Workshop
Click on the pictures above to see variations I have made to
the basic pattern, simply by changing the colors, arrangement of the layers, and
by adding different collage details.
To see variations -
click on each picture! |
The Quilted Lizard Fiber Art Studio
