I am lucky to have a brother who travels around the world and takes lots of photos of the places he visits. His sailing trip around Greece led to a bumper crop of great photos, which I shared with you a few months ago. I used one of his photos to develop a quilt of a billowing sail.
Because I loved the curved lines so much I didn’t really change the image, but just translated it into fabric. I began with tracing the lines from a black and white print of the photo above. Then I took it to a copy shop to get an enlargement. I could have, and should have, used the old fashioned grid enlargement method, but I thought the shop would be easier and faster. Alas, I was wrong.
The shop was crowded with clueless people who needed the sole staff person’s help. When my turn came I gave the staff person the enlargement size I wanted – 24 by 36 inches – and she sent it to the oversize printer. She gave me my copy, I paid, and went home.
There I discovered that the enlargement was 18 by 24 inches, smaller than I had asked for. I had been so eager to leave the store I didn’t check the measurements. Yes, I could have returned to the store, but I gave it up as a lesson learned.
So, my top started as 18 by 24 inches, which is okay as I didn’t have as much of the hand dyed blue fabric as I thought. I used the enlargement to create freezer paper templates of the large pieces, which I ironed to my fabrics and cut out the pieces. You can see this process below. All the extra lines on the drawing are for the quilting.
Matching some of the bits was fiddly, as it’s been a while since I’ve done precision piecing. The top is done and awaits quilting. I plan to use heavy threads for the ropes and lines in the sails, following the lines in my original drawing.
I’m hoping to get motivated for the quilting, but I continue to fuss with my lost family piece, as well as print off many ugly monoprints.
I am linking to Off The Wall Friday.
The Snarky Quilter 
I love the point of view! This will be a great art quilt!
Thanks. I just have to get it quilted.
That is so very cool! Your brother is a fabulous photographer.
Thanks. I think some of the fabric I used is yours, but if so I ordered it a while ago and don’t properly remember. And I will pass along your compliment to my brother.
Beautiful, Joanna!! That blue is absolutely yummy!!!! I see how the quilting could go several directions depending on whether you are going realistic or abstract or in between. Maybe thicker threads couched for the lines/ropes? I am currently using the grid method of enlargement on a new design. As always it is work but I’ve already found some “issues” I didn’t see with the original smaller drawing so I know it’s time well spent. You have such a good brother to keep sending you inspirations for your art!!
Thanks Jane. I hope to sort out the thread I want to use for quilting this weekend. I did start marking the quilting lines and found backing fabric.
Ha, I had that same experience at the copy place, only, I was the person trying to use the machine! The lines are great in this photo and you have translated them in fabric perfectly (that blue is delicious). I can’t imagine how you would quilt it. Staying tuned for when it happens.
Thanks. I can’t image how to quilt it, either.
Wow, this process just looks so complicated, for such a “simple” subject. But the piece looks great! I look forward to seeing it with all the lines.
Thanks. Sometimes it helps to have a process to follow to relieve uncertainty, and for me that makes it less complicated than winging it.