Sunday, January 29, 2012

Bridges...The Beginning

Tomorrow I am picking up the quilted "Building Bridges" quilt. I'm so excited I can't sleep. Since I'm wide awake I thought I'd share a bit about how "Building Bridges" came to be.

The idea was of course, sparked by my move from Kansas to Chicago.  I knew that I couldn't change the name of my blog, but I wanted a more urban, edgy look.  My youngest son, Jon, volunteered to sketch some ideas for me and he sent me this.
His drawing was the starting point and the inspiration for my new logo which the super talented Sarah created for the blog and my business.

My husband has been working in Chicago for years before we moved, but in all my times in Chicago I never made the bridge connection.  I walked over the Michigan Avenue bridge more times than I can count, but I never really thought about the river and all the bridges in the city.  I walked under the el on Wabash in the loop and never took the time to look at the trestle and how it supports the train and the lines and shapes it creates.  Fact is, I've always been a bit fearful of bridges.  I don't especially like going over them or walking under them.  Funny, how inspiration was right in front of my nose and I didn't see it until it had a personal connection for me.

After we moved, Bruno and I began walking the city and it seemed like I was either on a bridge or under one multiple times a day.  I started to notice and think about bridges and the concept struck a chord with me.

I was trying to bridge two very different ways to live, two different places, and a new way to work.  I have to admit now that it was all a bit overwhelming.  All those feelings seemed to relate to bridges and they flowed out and on to fabric.

Whenever I walked the city I paid attention and observed the lines, angles, shapes and the proportions of bridges and trestles.  Noticing led to the designs of the five bridges that are in the quilt.  None of them are copies of real bridges, they are an amalgamation of my observations.
 There was no sketching involved and I have to admit, no planning.  Each bridge evolved organically. I didn't have finished sizes in mind for the blocks either.  I simply kept building each bridge until I thought it was done and then I moved on to the next.

I have to warn you now, this week's posts are going to be about this quilt: the setting, the quilting and hopefully the finishing!

23 comments:

MariQuilts said...

Can't wait to see the finished quilt and love hearing about your process.

wintunancy said...

This is going to be a fun week, thanks in advance for sharing. I too can't wait.

Unknown said...

I'm looking forward to the big unveil, possibly just as much as you are

Pauline said...

Hi Jacquie..cant wait..will be watching closely

Jill Chapman said...

I absolutely love this quilt and can't wait to find out more about it. It really appeals to the engineering side of my brain.

mathea said...

I'll be looking forward to that!

Suzanne said...

This is just the process I was hoping you'd share.

Dani said...

That's not a warning, it's an enticement!

Linda at Roscoe's Ma said...

The changes you have gone through are really quite dramatic. I love how you have embraced them and have given your life even more depth. Amazing...

Marilee said...

I'm a relatively new follower. I was first captivated by your logo. You made a successful transition to Chicago. I visited for the first time a couple of years ago and fell in love with the city. The geometry and boldnesss of your look sets you apart.

Christine L said...

I think it's truly wonderful that you took something of your daily activities and made that into a wonderful inspiration! I can't wait to see the finished piece. Thank you for sharing the story behind the quilt as well! I love your blog. Very inspiring

Unknown said...

I look forward to your bridge posts.

stitchinpenny said...

Bring on the bridge. I love the way it looked as you were putting together parts of bridges. I think that is the most interesting part of quilting.

Elsa said...

Love the story of your process and how you found your inspiration. I live in a city of bridges also ~ Portland, Oregon. I'm not sure how many we've got but I know it's a lot! Looking forward to seeing the finished bridges quilt, quilted!

Marty Mason said...

Interesting....where we get inspiration. I've been following your bridge-building and can't wait to see the final span all layed out and pictured!

Nicole said...

I love hearing what inspires other quilters to create the works of art that they do. Thanks for sharing your story. I'm looking forward to hearing more about the quilt. I'll stay tuned!

krislovesfabric said...

Yay! Gonna love this week!

Kersten said...

Can't wait to see it!! I love your work!
Kersten
FrozenKnickers

KerryQ said...

As I was reading your post, my nosy 5 year old son peered over my shoulder at the photo and said "Is that a construction site?". So you've passed the 5 year old boy test. Major accomplishment.

Richard Healey said...

Some of the best quilts made are made with out a pattern just a vision in your head.

http://richardquilts.blogspot.com

Aliceart said...

Thank you! I love this quilt and I was dying to hear how it came about. It's amazing!

Esch House Quilts said...

I've loved all the little glimpses we've seen of this quilt and can't wait to see the finished version!

My word verification w :)ord is "bringe"

Katie said...

I love this background on the quilt. I'm eagerly awaiting yours posts this week and am glad you are sharing so much about it.