Leni Wiener

I am happy to announce that my work will be exhibited at the Larchmont Public Library in the first floor Oresman Gallery from February 3 to 27, 2009.   The show will feature “photo-inspired art quilts” many of which are on my website.  You may even see the flamenco quilt featured on this blog (I am not sure yet which pieces will be hung)

The gallery is opened during library hours:

Monday and Thursday from 9 - 9;

Tuesday and Wednesday 9 -6;

Friday and Saturday 9 -5;

Sundays 12-5.

The library is closed for President’s day on February 16.  For directions go to www.larchmontlibrary.org/hourdir.html

Please join me for the opening reception on Saturday, February 7 from 3 to 4:30.

Here is the finished quilt.  It is small (only 8″ square).  If you are having a hard time making a committment to a larger piece, start something small (but not so small that the pieces are unmanageable).

Here you can see the pieces all sewn into place with clear thread, and some detail work done in thread painting.

I welcome questions and comments.

I know, you are thinking “where has this crazy lady been?”  Well, I have been working, but on a piece that I cannot show on the blog as it is for a particular show.  But I took a short break to do a small piece for an upcoming SAQA 20th anniversary trunk show–with a deadline fast approaching.

this will show you a little bit about my process in more detail:

I start with a photograph, and (I use the computer) create a full sized pattern for it–that way I can trace the elements and cut them just the right size and shape–no guessing.

working only one element at a time, I create a collage using the pattern as a guide, tracing onto freezer paper and pressing that freezer paper onto the right side of my fabric.  Then I cut along the lines and place each cutout into position.  Here you see the hands completed and overlayed onto the pattern–as each element (like the hands) looks right, I use a dab of fabric glue on a toothpick here and there just to hold it all in place:

using the same freezer paper method, I cut out the fabrics for the piano keys and lay them in place.  Sometimes, I make a rough tracing of all the elements so that I can use it to be sure everything is in exactly the right place:

here you can see all the elements (so far) in their correct position:

and little details like the highlight on the black keys added next:

that is all that is done so far….