EF1010 Art Update
Engineering Fundamentals 1010 - a new art project
I recently reread Elizabeth Gilbert’s book, Big Magic. I was fascinated by her idea that we are visited by creative ideas. She indicates that we are most often too busy or have our attention focused elsewhere to notice them, that we say no to them without even thinking about it. This idea has resonated with me and I have been trying to have a more open mind and pay attention when these ideas surface.
Almost forty years ago, I took my first college engineering course, EF1010 Intro to Engineering. It was the class where we learned about each of the branches of engineering. This was the era when the engineering school had the requirement that freshmen "dress" for class. That meant no casual clothes. It was easy to spot me, the only female in the class, the only person wearing a skirt to class. It was an especially memorable day when the professor pointedly told me, in front of the entire class class, which branch of engineering was best suited for females.
I did go on to get an engineering degree in the major that the prof said would be best for a female but I think that was, in part, because it was where the females felt the most ‘safe’ and respected, not that it was the thing we wanted most to do. I never ended up working as an engineer. I did not like the person I would have had to become to “make it” in that environment.
In a recent closet clean out, I found my drafting textbook from that Intro Engineering class. Every time this book has surfaced in the last forty years, I have contemplated tossing it but have not been able to bring myself to do it. I took drafting in high school and LOVED it. I went to college with my dad's old drafting tools and a brand new Hello Kitty mechanical pencil. I wanted to like that intro class but it was filled with bad experiences. For some reason I have hung on to the book. This time, when I saw the book, it was like Elizabeth Gilbert described, an idea came to me and I was open to it. I will be creating some art with its pages. I am excited about the project and am finally getting joy from this old drafting book. Maybe I can exorcise some demons at the same time.
Nude is Not a Color
The Henry Ford museum has the newly acquired Nude is Not a Color quilt on display until mid April, and Phoebe and I went yesterday to meet Hillary Goodwin (@entropyalwayswins) and see it.
It is beautifully displayed just inside the entrance to the museum. The case is out from the wall so that you can see the front and back of the quilt. The signage with photos and stories from some of the contributors really bring people over to look more closely and read the background information.
Here is my story that is included in the display material:
“My daughter, Phoebe, who was 10 at the time, often spent time in my sewing room with me and loved to help choose fabrics for my projects. I had Phoebe help choose a fabric that matched my skin tone. She noticed that HER skin matched a different color and wanted to contribute a block too. I loved that teachable moment we had in the sewing room. I think that my family looks very similar but even my daughter and I have different color skin. This moment contributed to her journey of looking at how people are the same, how people are different, representation, and fighting for social justice as she is now doing in her teens.”
The blocks we contributed are shown below. I found it interesting to choose fabrics that best matched our skin. The fabrics that matched have much more color to them than I would have guessed. Both of the blocks we contributed can be found in the photo above.
I am honored to be a contributor to this quilt and have it displayed at it’s new home, The Henry Ford museum.
Please read more about the quilt here.
Licorice Allsorts in Black and White
I’ve been making black and white versions of the blocks I am teaching in my Licorice Allsorts class. They are all variations on a theme. I’m having a great time trying out different layout options. This piece has a completely different feel to it than the colorful first version I made.
If you are interested in learning how to make these blocks, there are still some spots in my class next week.
Old School Sewing Studio Time
This is what sewing at the studio in town looks like these days.
After taking the photo I noticed that the “Old School Sewing” sign on my window made the SEW shadow on the red chair. Serendipity.
String Quilt Times Two
I don’t know about you, but sometimes I think too much about finding the perfect solution to a problem or the “right” way to finish a quilt. There really can be many good solutions. When I couldn’t decide which layout I liked best for these string pieced blocks, I made two different quilts. And you know what, I like BOTH of them. It is easy to get bogged down in finding the best path forward and forget that any path will keep us moving and making new discoveries. .
I have successfully used up the bright, colorful solid scraps! Whoop! I am looking at what’s left and I can tell you that pile is not my favorite. It’s mostly browns, greys, and some dusty rose. They do, however, all fit in my mom’s old train case so that’s progress.
My home sewing room is next to the kitchen and does not have a door that closes. Sometimes I like that I feel a part of what’s going on in the rest of the house, sometimes I want uninterrupted concentration time. I guess this is why I have sound canceling head phones.
Design wall Doings Part 2
There are endless possibilities for these string pieced blocks.
String Piecing and March Workshops
I've really gotten into the sewing groove the last few weeks and I’m deep into string piecing a couple of different projects. Technically they are very similar, but I have different guidelines that I think about when working on each of them. This one is now at the studio in town because it outgrew my home design wall. I’m aiming for a queen size quilt with this one.
I am trying to create a “minimal” look by making blocks with few strings, and setting them with alternate blocks of a single fabric. The alternate blocks are grouped together to create color clumps in the final quilt. I’m sure it will change a bit as I progress but those are the main ideas guiding my process.
If you are interested in my learning my string piecing process, you can take my String Theory class next month. I also have another workshop for Licorice Allsorts on the calendar. You can sign up for classes through my shop.
Winter Wonderland
We are enjoying quite the winter wonderland this year. I love all the snow even if I don’t get out in it much.
The photos above and below were taken from our front porch. The top photo was taken in the afternoon, the bottom photo was taken in the morning. I love how the changing light changes the look.
