Harvey Fierstein

Harvey Fierstein Instagram – This one gave me quite a rough time! It began simply as an exercise in sewing curves. I then decided to “couch” a design over the top which didn’t work out because I don’t really know how to use the “couching” foot. But the disastrous remnants of the experiment are visible in the lower right hand corner.
Then I had an idea of “thread painting” Mer-men over the watery landscape. Those disastrous remains can be seen as errant threads toward the middle of the quilt top.
And so I cut out the Mer-men figures from fabrics Ala Matisse. I made them of red and violet and hot pink. I pinned them onto the quilt top where they hung unhappily for more than a month while I made 3 other projects. I was just not happy with what I was looking at.
Cue fresh eyes! Through the wonderful Lisa McNulty I was virtually introduced to one of my quilting heroes… LIZA PRIOR LUCY! If you’ve never seen the work she does with Kaffe Fasset just look her up. Genius colorist! Magnificent craftsperson! All around terrific human being. She took one look at a. photo and diagnosed the problem that had been staring me in the face the entire time – the MERMEN needed to live in the same color world as the sea in which they swam. Off I went to Cotton Candy Fabrics and, thanks to Erin Byrne Holmqvist having a great selection of Kaffe designs, I was able to choose the 4 prints that I eventually used.
I decided to leave the mistakes of the past on the quilt top as a great example to myself of the struggle. So many of these projects seem to come together easily. It’s good to remember that the struggle can be the best part of learning a craft.
So.. here it is. Now Liza wants me to make a red version using the original figures. But first I need a good night’s sleep. and moment to celebrate. | Posted on 07/Mar/2024 07:45:55