Friday, October 29, 2010

Gone Dotty!

Barbara Brackman recently posted about how polka dots have been used over the years. Modern, stylish women were using polka dots way back in the late 19th century. There was even a Polka Dot Club!

It got me thinking about the quilts I've made with polka dots, and some of the teachers who've shared my love of the nifty little shape.



I made this quilt in a workshop with Kaffe Fassett and Brandon Mably a few years ago.
They taught me how to focus on the colors and combine them in a pleasing way.



Dots come in more than one shape!



Last fall, I got to take a workshop with Freddy Moran. She taught me that any colors go together, the more the better. This is the Liberated Wedding Ring pattern in her book with Gwen Marston, Freddy and Gwen Collaborate Again.



Anything goes!


I made this one with the Gee's Bend gals in 2009. They taught me how to choose fabrics by using my intuition. And put away that rotary cutter!



They all loved this black and white dot, cut from an old dress.




Last summer, I made this quilt in a class with Denyse Schmidt. I chose the red dot as my focus fabric. She taught me how to use scraps in an improvisational way.



Dots go with everything!

24 comments:

beth said...

So much inspiration today! WOW!

Sujata Shah said...

Okay.. I am out of words.. that's it.. throwing the towels on describing how I feel at this moment..
I had actually collected so many dots for that bow-tie class and turned out that I had to work in the front that day! Still have those fabrics
somewhere in the box.. may be I should pull them out and do something with them..
Love the second quilt too! Oh.. Nifty, you are Soooo good with your fabrics!

Victoria Findlay Wolfe said...

GOOD GOODNESS WHAT A FABULOUS LOAD OF YUMMY QUILTS!!!! love them all!!!

Twisted Quilts said...

I love everything you have shown. Fantastic. I love dots too.

Julie Fukuda said...

When I was walking through one of the fabric/craft stores the other day I noticed a whole section of polka dots and was wondering what a quilt of all those fabrics would look like. You have just saved me the time and work and the answer is "Great!"

Michele said...

Goodness, what a post. I'm so inspired! Thank you for all the eye candy. I think my left eye has a cavity.

carol fun said...

Oh you are a quilter after my own heart - I LOVE LOVE LOVE polka dots! Freddy Moran's first book inspired me with its eye popping colors and pattern. Your dotty bow ties are fabulous. I think I may have to do one like this with my polka dot stash. Thanks for sharing these wonderful quilts!

Em said...

Oh how I love you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You have studied with the heroes of my heart and can't wait to someday hang out with you!!!! Until then, I will CELEBRATE you in blogland! WOW oh WOW for polka dots and you- winning combo!

maree said...

Scrummy!!!! Love those polka dots and just want to rummage through my fabrics now and start something new......but will contain myself and finish my to do list......but super quickly:) Thanks oh nifty one for making me smile:) Ciao

Theodora quilts said...

what a coincidence I just cut out about 25 blocks using polka dot fabric LOL , I love your quilts a very nice a smart way using polka dot fabric, I especially like the one with the black and white as a background just love the contrast with all the other colorfull fabrics in the center part of the quilt I just might copy you ,by the way thanks for visiting me, take care theodora

YankeeQuilter said...

Growing up there was a comic book character named Dot who collected all things Polka dotted...I love how you have used them and made each of those class projects your own!

shellysquilts said...

Hey LeeAnn, What's not to luv about polka dots? You've used them very well. Cute stuff! You're making my skirt fly up, girlfriend! Have a great weekend and happy sewing!

Bonnie Hull said...

...and I'm thinking of that baby quilt from years ago when I bought all polka dots and put them together in your studio...love to you today...

Marit said...

Fantastic gallery with lots of dots! How fun to have been to workshops with all the best teachers - and bringing home these pretty quilts.
I am so in love with the last one, the one from Denyse's workshop......

CharlotteP said...

Love the quilts...dots are great! Can't resist dotty batiks myself...each time I go to buy fabric, more appear!

Magpie Sue said...

You've reinforced my desire to make a polka dotted quilt. Hopefully sooner rather than later!

I especially like your Gee's Bend quilt with the spare use of dots. But those Bow Ties are pretty fun too :- )

Spangle said...

Yep, you have just inspired my next quilt for a teen girl. Thanks!

Tonya Ricucci said...

beautiful fun quilts!

Orlando said...

I too am a fan of all things dotty and spotty! They're all gorgeous but the liberated wedding ring it a show stopper. And I can't decide what I'm more jealous of... your quilts or who you've taken classes from!

Victoria said...

I adore your quilt made with the Gee's Bend ladies and the quilt with Denyse Schmidt. (Both of those experiences must have been great!)

And as for polka-dots... I have always loved them... hard to be in a bad mood around such a happy print!

Rosalyn Manesse said...

Help--I'm seeing spots before my eyes1 Oh the quilts are so wonderful

Anonymous said...

your quilts rock!
love the polka
dot!

dls said...

Love the dots.....they are so cheerful!

Alison Marie said...

I am jealous - you have taken classes with so many of the quilters I would love to learn from in person! And I am loving the quilts....just found my way over here via Lazy Gal Quilting's blog.