Category Archives: birds

Dyeing Silk Fabrics

Posted on by
I’ll Fly Away #4 (detail) by Laura Wasilowski

Lately, I’ve been dyeing silk fabrics for my bird series, I’ll Fly Away. The designs are made with free-cut shapes that are fused into place using Misty Fuse and then ironed to wool batting. I love the ease of stitching through silk and the fact that it is tightly woven so the edges don’t fray. But mostly I love the glow of silk fabric. It has a special warmth.

Silk yardage is hard to come so I search out silk scarves and skirts and dresses at resale shops. My favorite finds are large skirt fabrics with few seams and some patterning. Overdyeing the fabrics in a variety of colors gives me more colors from which to choose. These fabrics are my latest find. And I can’t wait to start another I’ll Fly Away quilt with them.

A Bird’s Eye View

Posted on by

In my next life I would like to come back as a bird. Or maybe a tree. No. I think a bird would be more fun. Bird’s have beautiful feathers and sing thrilling tunes and fly around like they haven’t a care in the world. Yes, I would like to be a bird. Also, I like sunflower seeds.

We have one of those squirrel proof bird feeders in our backyard with sunflower seeds in it. If a squirrel grabs the bar around the feeder it begins twirling. And soon you have a flying squirrel! Don’t worry. The squirrels find plenty of sunflower seeds on the ground dropped by clumsy birds in their excitement over a free lunch.

For all of you who are as crazy about birds as I am, I have made this quilt, Birdland #17. It is a fused art quilt measuring 12″ x 12″ made with hand-dyed fabrics and threads and lovingly hand embroidered.  Click here if you are interested in adding Birdland #17 to your collection.

A Tree is a Haven

Posted on by

This summer I’ve discovered two bird’s nests in our backyard. One nest has been abandoned and is available for those interested in a home nestled in a thorning rose bush.

Another is located in a small tree and occupied by the House Finch family. The Finch family matriarch is very protective of her abode and gives me intense stares whenever I glance in their direction. I try to stay our of their neighborhood.

In honor of the House Finch family, I’ve made this quilt depicting their tree. It’s called Fine Line Tree #5.

Fine Line Tree #5 is a fused art quilt measuring 8″ x 10″. It is made with hand-dyed silk fabrics and cotton threads and lovingly hand embroidered. Click here if your are interested in adding this sweet little art quilt to your collection.