Paper and Threads Representations of a New York City Subway Mosaic
I was invited to applique a square for the Empire Quilt Guild 2011 Raffle Quilt. All of the eighteen 11 inch squares are based on New York City subway mosaics and I was thrilled to be assigned the Chambers Street IRT mosaic of Kings College. We are a Columbia University family and Kings College was the original college which became Columbia University after the Revolution.
I was gvien an applique pattern that was drafted from a photo in a NYC subway book, but decided that I wanted to make my own. I photographed many of the mosaics which run along both the uptown and downtown platform walls trying to find one that wasn't too damaged by age.
I drew and painted the mosaic in my daily sketchbook, to try to familiarize myself with the complex design before making a new pattern and selecting fabrics.
I just completed the applique square - which required more time than any single 11 inch square I ever made - mostly because I decided that I wanted to applique every stone of the building on individually!
Comments
Shirley, I really like this charming piece. Doing each stone separately greatly contributes to the mosaic feeling. Well done. I hope you'll post a link to a photo of the finished quilt when it's done.
Posted by: Virginia Hanley | September 28, 2009 10:47 PM
Absolutely impressive! I seriously prefer your version better, both painting and the quilt ^^
Posted by: Alex Tan | September 29, 2009 3:26 AM
Wow! Such patience - this is beautiful.
Posted by: Margaret | September 29, 2009 3:42 AM
A very involved process, very impressive. I've always loved the subway mosaics, but I've never drawn them. Thanks for sharing the photo and drawing - your end product is stunning.
Posted by: Gary | September 29, 2009 9:27 AM
This is so beautifully thought out and executed, Shirley. I'd be thrilled to frame it by itself. It will be a stand-out contribution to the quilt. I'd like to see the whole quilt eventually too.
I love the two figures at the bottom.
Posted by: RobynS | September 29, 2009 10:02 AM
This is amazing work. I am a ex-quilter and applique was beyond me. I hope to see the whole quilt too.
Posted by: donna noble | September 29, 2009 10:37 AM
WOW! You did a wonderful job!
Posted by: Sharon | September 29, 2009 3:04 PM
Congratulations. This is true to the original artist's work, and to your own craft. Beautiful.
Posted by: Phyllis | September 30, 2009 12:24 AM
Patience, patience, patience (wow!). I really like what you did. Lots of talent in art and stitching went into this.
Posted by: Ramona Davdidson | September 30, 2009 12:42 PM
Shirley, This is LOVELY! Congratulations!
Posted by: Gwendolyn | September 30, 2009 3:23 PM
Wow, beautiful work, and such patience and hard work gone into it. Look forward to seeing more of your work.
Posted by: Catriona Andrews | September 30, 2009 3:50 PM
Wow, I'm blown away at this project. Very impressive, very inspiring. What a great piece you've made!!
Posted by: Art is for the Making | September 30, 2009 10:20 PM