Janet Fogg - Quilts

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  Caddy and the Cakes

   

  Caddy and the Cakes -- A sweet convertible is displayed on a pedestal along-side other pink confections in this imaginative pictorial quilt.  One in a series of unexpected combinations, the scene depicts images out of scale to suggest either a bakery or auto showroom set in the 1950's.

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  Woody and the Seashell

   

  Woody and the Seashell -- This surreal view of a giant seashell witnessed by the Woody comes with an amazing story. The idea and design were well under way when I made the decision to include a drawing of two palm trees done by my recently passed mother-in-law, Betty Fogg. Later to my great surprise, I found out that Betty and her new husband Fred left for their honeymoon almost 60 years ago in a Woody. Sometimes inspiration comes in unexpected ways. The shell symbolizes future home and family. Machine pieced.

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  Kitty Corner

   

  Kitty Corner -- This quilt is a literal interpretation of the traditional quilt block Puss In The Corner. By setting the colorful blocks on point with alternating black squares a dark stage is set for the kitty to appear from the corner ready to pounce on the spiralling quilted feathers. This quilt is almost entirely machine pieced with some minimal applique for the floating squares in the border.

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  Viviano's Finest

   

  Viviano's Finest -- Inspired by the novel Chocolat by Joanne Harris, this quilt was designed to resemble the window display of a chocolaterie. Traditional Baby Blocks form a pyramid of candy with the shop's name rendered in type and calligraphy doing double duty as it also advertises the luscious hand dyes used to create the scene. Machine pieced and hand appliqued. Heavy trapunto suggests the hearts embossed on chocolate boxes.

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  Z is for Zebra

   

  Z is for Zebra -- Sixty degree triangles arranged to create the Streak of Lightning pattern create this abstract image of a zebra. It was designed in a workshop lead by Katie Pasquini Masopust exploring the use of ghost layering. The individaul triangles were improvisationally pieced and then trimmed with an acrylic triangle and pieced together. This random piecing and cutting resulted in the secondary zig zag effect. Machine pieced with hand applique for the type.

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  They Came by Canoe

   

  They Came by Canoe -- Made to honor the book Whale Rider by Witi Ihimaera and my own native american ancestry, this quilt speaks of the circle of life and the vessel in which we travel. Flying Geese blocks construct the canoe. Machine pieced in perspective they add to the dimensional view as well as give it an indigenous look. The spiral sun was reverse hand appliqued from a discharged piece of fabric.

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  Winding Road Ahead

   

  Winding Road Ahead -- Traditional Log Cabin blocks are transported to a new level as they build a believable if not accurate logging truck. Rows of the Courthouse Step variation combine to form one large log cabin block emcompassing the entire quilt. The four quadrants of sky, road and two sides of forest repeat the block design. An abstact blocky image is pulled into focus with the addtion of a few realistic appendages, namely the logs and the road sign adding some curving contrast. Machine pieced and hand appliqued.

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  Pineapple Rings

   

  Pineapple Rings -- Inspired by the novel The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy, this quilt utilized the Pickle Dish block as the building block for a pineapple. The story's setting was a pickle factory, pineapple being one of its products. Designed to look like a label, the main subject is created with cafeful shading and the addition of the more realistic leafy topper. Machine pieced and hand appliqued.

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  Daisy and the Cruiser

   

  Daisy and the Cruiser -- This quilt is an unexpected combination because of the use of scale. Created in a Barbara Olson workshop, the subjects were chosen for this piece because of their similarity in shape as well as theme. Daisies and bicycle wheels both spoke out and the matching elipses reinforce this. Thematically, they relate to remind one that happiness is not a destination but a mode of travel. Predominately machine pieced with hand applique in the springs of the bicycle seat.

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  Our Lady of the Lake

   

  Our Lady of the Lake -- One large Lady of the Lake block sets the foundation for this stylized image of the Madonna and Child. The angular features which are hand appliqued in black over a pieced background follow the lines of the block. In this case the chosen block fits both structurally and conceptually.

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  Bear on the Trail

   

  Bear on the Trail -- Inspired by the book Undaunted Courage by Stephen Ambrose, this quilt features a life size grizzly bear stepping out of traditional Snails Trail and Rising Star Blocks. Background piecing is from Judy Martin's pattern Shakespeare In The Park. The bear draws a comparison to the journey the explorers took in that he is active in the spring and summer in preparation for remaining still or hibernating in the winter camps. Machine pieced with some hand applique around the outer edge of the bear.

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  Northern Lights

   

  Northern Lights -- The Siberian Husky stands proudly in front of one Northern Lights block that depicts the Aurora Borealis and the moon. This quilt was inspired by lovely young dog who visited my children when they were playing in a newly constucted igloo one snowy day long ago. The visitor only stayed a few minutes but left a lasting impression. When responding to a design challenge from a major quilt show to feature a block from The Kansas City Star the opportunity arose to recreate that moment. Machine pieced.

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  Neferkiti

   

  Neferkiti -- This composite image depicts an ordinary house cat as an Egyptian queen. Traditional piecing of Log Cabin blocks create the ancient key design along with diamonds on point and provide a surface for Neferkiti to regally pose on. Machine pieced and hand appliqued.

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  La Petite Ballerine

   

  La Petite Ballerine -- This decorative wardrobe wallhanging was designed to delight the little ballerina with functional pockets for hiding special toys or dancing attire. Inspired by the fairy tale, The Shoes That Were Danced to Pieces by the Brothers Grimm, this quilt features as its centerpiece a newly satin lined and embellished worn out pair of dancing shoes. Machine pieced.

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  The Golden Carp

   

  The Golden Carp -- Inspired by the novel Bless Me Ultima by Rudofo Anaya, this quilt illustrates a dream sequence in the story. Designed in a workshop with Jane Sassaman, the central image is created with machine topstitched applique with a turned edge. Mosaic Star blocks alternate with blocks featuring floral prints to create the look of tilework around a fountain.

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  Old Glory

   

  Old Glory -- Six pointed Prairie Stars burst with color like fireworks in front of the American flag. This quilt is predominately machine pieced with reverse machine applique in the union section of the flag.

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  Abbey Window

   

  Abbey Window -- This alphabet quilt is unlike any other.  By setting a gothic type font onto the panes and stonework of an abbey window, a theme is revealed.  Perhaps sitting inside under that window is the monk who made calligraphy his life work.  Almost entirely machine pieced, with hand applique for the letters.  Designed in a Ruth McDowell workshop.

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  Within the Red Tent

   

  Within the Red Tent -- Inspired by the novel The Red Tent by Anita Diamant, this tradtional medallion style quilt features symbols from the story.  The four Double Wedding Ring blocks represent the four wives of Jacob.  The pomegranates are adapted from Sheila Wintel's book Colonial Applique and represent both fertility and resurrection.  The original corner tent motifs frame the piece to resemble a persian carpet.  Machine pieced and hand appliqued.

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  Come to the Table

   

  Come to the Table -- Dresden Plates set a tabletop viewed from above in this quilt inspired by the novel The Ladies Auxiliary by Tova Mirvis.  By cutting all the plates from the same cloth a parallel is drawn with the women of the story.  While each is unique in color and character they are all one of the same.  Machine pieced and appliqued.

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  Grandmother's Garden Swing

   

  Grandmother's Garden Swing -- This quilt is a collaboration with an unknown mid-century piecer. A vintage Grandmother's Flower Garden quilt top was transformed into a whimsical modern version of the classic favorite with the addition of borders, a reconfiguration of flowers and the addition of a life size grandmother on her swing. Machine pieced and hand appliqued.

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  Rose Festival

   

  Rose Festival -- This ferris wheel of roses is an original adaptation of the traditional applique design, Rose of Sharon.  The eight spinning roses around a central star are redesigned using original foundation pieced roses.  Connecting strips create an abstract wheel lighting up the night sky.  Trapunto dragons and feather motifs add motion and texture to the solid areas.  Machine pieced.

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  Raindrops on My Hibiscus

   

  Raindrops on My Hibiscus -- This reconstructed functional umbrella is pieced to reveal a single hibiscus flower when opened.  Glistening with clear glass beads and buttons the surface of the petals appear to be dappled with raindrops.  The umbrella point stands in for the stamen and the edge of this ornate piece is finished with a beaded fringe.  Hand dyed fabric is encased between a nylon taffeta lining and a sheer organdy top layer.