September’s work presented many technical challenges, so Mean Streets is a vague pinned together mishmash of fabrics instead of finished. I did get the Misty Fuse I ordered and have fused at least a yard of it to dyed and painted silk organza. Some of that yard ended up on my iron. Now I’m in a quandary about how to cut up said organza as much of it cannot be replicated.
But, onward. Here’s what I sent in.
My work on Mean Streets has been very slow. I’m still working out the direction of the light and where shadows are cast. I’m also waiting for a shipment of Misty Fuse to hold down the silk organza. There are sags where the organza droops between pins that aren’t meant to be there and some gaps where pieces don’t quite meet – all not meant to be part of the design. The shadow of the light pole is paper for now. The street in the foreground needs considerable work. I don’t intend the abupt change from the yellow to white to remain. I doubt I’ll finish this by the end of the month, but that’s OK. The size seems to be working out to about 35 inches wide and 29 inches high.
Elizabeth’s response:
At present you have two yellow squares competing for attention, but I know you’re going to fix that….
Also the very interesting yellow and black fabric on the right draws one’s eye…I’d carry bits of that fabric through into various places within the quilt.
The colors are super…and blend together really well…and it does have a very gritty urban feel to it – so you’re really capturing the atmosphere
I also really like the edge contrasts you’re developing…so I think it’s a really great start and definitely well worth continuing with…
and yes…you’re right to pool the shadows…excellent way to pull things together.
So what did I send it for my finished project? Why, a completed Emerald Isles.
The Snarky Quilter 
Ah, makes me wish to be doing the master class again. 🙂 Mean Street is very effective so far–looking forward to its development.
I’d be interested in hearing about your experiences with the class. I’ve noticed a steep drop off in participants. Did that happen when you took it?
No, we pretty much hung in there. We didn’t all finish all the projects, though. I may have been the biggest slacker there. Loved reading EB’s comments on my quilts and those of others. Learning in all. I do plan to do another of her classes one day, but now that I know how much time is involved, I’ll plan accordingly.
I love the direction for Mean Streets and will look forward to seeing it develop. I agree with Judith that it looks like a set piece, and I mean that (as I expect she did) in a good way. I’m not as taken by Emerald Isles, as it doesn’t seem as cohesive to me as the other, even though finished. But as always, I enjoy seeing your work and it’s been fun and enlightening to have you share the developing pieces and Elizabeth’s comments. Thanks much for that.
Thanks for the kind words about Mean Streets. Emerald Isles was playing around with various bits of painted/left over fabrics, and designed to lose the edges. I don’t like it much, but it’s done.
Some times that is the most gratifying part to a maker!
This afternoon I decided to cut apart Emerald Isles. At this rate I’ll have a miniature quilt.
huh!! And now what?
We’ll just have to see.
At first glance your WIP reminds me of a drawing for a stage set… German realism?
Well, the inspiration was a photo of a very rough neighborhood in Mexico, but I take your point.