Thursday, June 5, 2014

Buying Fiber Art Quilts To Hang On Walls

By Sally Delacruz


A quilt basically consists of two layers of fabric with a central core of batting or wadding. Fiber art quilts retain some of the qualities of traditional versions, usually consisting of layers of fabric stitched together but the similarity often ends there. Some quilters producing these items reinterpret or adapt traditional themes in new ways but many depart altogether from tradition, regarding a quilt much like a canvas on which they can express their creativity.

Others chose to give free reign to their creativity, breaking most traditional quilting rules and developing a much, more free flowing means of expression. They no longer saw a quilt as a utilitarian object but more like a new type of canvas. They experimented continuously with techniques and materials to create this new art form.

Each artist uses different techniques, fabrics and threads to bring their project to life. The use of fiber to do so offers them a flexible medium and painting, dyeing, stamping and tearing are all possible. A variety of colors and textures are used to bring depth and excitement to pieces. Each piece is different, created painstakingly by the artist and taking many hours of work.

In the past, a quilt was stitched in a certain way so as to keep the layers together. With this new form of art, stitches have much more than a purely practical function. The variety of threads available make it possible to use them to add all sorts of color, texture and shine. There are also many techniques used for stitching such as embroidery, knitting and weaving.

Many of the artists are inspired by nature. Some of the work is representational and beautifully and accurately created. Other artists produce more impressionistic or abstract works. Any idea or concept can be seen as a catalyst for a new piece.

A quilt as an artwork can be finished using various different techniques. Some are finished with binding and some with or without borders. Installing such a piece on a wall is very important as it has to be done in such a way as to cause no damage to the artwork. Too much pressure on the fabric, uneven hanging or slippage has to be avoided.

The pricing of such items varies considerably. The length of time taken to complete the piece, from conception and design through to the finished article, is probably the most important factor. The square footage of a piece is another factor taken into consideration as well as the price of the materials used. The artist might even get involved with actually hanging the quilt for the customer, providing the hanging materials which adds to the price.

Each piece is unique, with different techniques and materials being used to execute the. Artists sometimes battle to obtain recognition for this type of work as art rather craft. This can be frustrating for artists who make these pieces to be admired aesthetically and expect them to be regarded in the same way as any other art form.




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