Feelin’ Groovy
Feelin’ Groovy is my quilt for my next Endeavourers challenge. The Endeavourers are a group of quilters who challenge each other with themes throughout the year. We have a certain amount of time to make the quilt, and then post it on the group website. It’s been a fun experience for me, since I don’t consider myself much of an art quilter.
The theme for this time was Feelings/Emotions. One day, as I was pondering the theme, I thought “my feelings are a bit like a lava lamp – they ebb and flow throughout the day”. That thought stuck with me as I was pondering what to do. Then my daughter gave me a piece of fabric for my birthday that reminded me of a lava lamp, which in turn, made me think of growing up in the 60s and 70s, which led me to think about my brother’s red Beetle, to listening to 8-tracks in his Beetle on Sunday afternoons, and a favorite song, The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin’ Groovy) written by Paul Simon, performed by Simon & Garfunkle. And that, my friends, is how this quilt emerged.
I found a font that captured the vibe of the 60-70s, and traced it onto fabric with a fabric marker. Then, I backed the fabric with fusible fleece and stitched some pick stitches in various colors around the words. I added a little button and flower for the dot over the “i” – another 60s-70s thing.
Once I had that stitched, I had to do some wavy strips to give the idea of a lava lamp. See that multi-colored fabric with the blues, pinks and oranges? That’s the print my daughter gave me for my birthday. I had so much fun with it!
Once the wavy strips were sewn together, I pieced the wording and the strips together for the quilt top. I used fusible fleece for the wavy strips, too (that was not my original plan). I did some wavy quilting in the strips, attempting to make it look like the globs in a lava lamp; I’m not sure I was successful. To secure the word panel, I did a quick stipple around the seed stitching (yes, I did a little free motion!!).
The backing and binding are a fun stripe I had in my stash, and I thought it went well with the colors in the top.
Feelin’ Groovy is my largest challenge quilt that I’ve made, finishing at 20″ x 25″.
Wendy
SAHRR Round Three
32 Comments
Cindy Pieters
Lovely piece Wendy! I’m feeling the groove.
Diann@ Little Penguin Quilts
That is so fun, Wendy! I love the happy colors, the curves, the words, and that seed stitching. I’ve never tried that, but it gives such a fun effect. And yes, the flower to do the i is perfect! Now I’m singing, “Slow down, you move too fast.” 🎶🎶🎶😎
Needle and Foot
“…you got to make the mornin last”. 🙂
karenfae
I have about 2 yards of the fabric you used for your backing – I have not decided what to use it for and I’ve had it for several years along with a red/blue/pink print that came with it in a kit and a jelly roll or two of the same style – one day I need to dig it all out and think of something to make with it. You have captured the 60/70 era for sure – I grew up then
Nancy Bekedam
Great thought process!!! Love your candy sprinkle stitches, Wendy!!!
Vicki in MN
The colorful pick stitches around the words look like sprinkles on cupcakes! Your stippling is looking great!!
The Joyful Quilter
Super cute challenge entry, Wendy!! What a fun burst of creativity came from your daughter’s gift.
Becky Turner
OH Yahhhh… Flashback to VW Bugs and great music and wonderful colors!
Brenda @ Songbird Designs
Love it, Wendy! Yep, I remember those flowers and hearts dotting the I’s!! Fun memory and now I have an ear worm!! Thanks!!
Needle and Foot
The best!! Love the font and the little rainbow stitches around the text. The whole thing actually. The fabric you started it out with couldn’t be more groovy. Really cool Wendy!
Kathleen McCormick
Wonderful! I love the fabric Molly gave you and the story of how this groovy quilt developed. Love the flower touch, too. However, now I will be feeling groovy all day long, not a bad thing.
Diane
Feeling groovy is a delightful quilt. How creative you are. It just made be smile and I will probably smile thru out the day when I think about. Blessings, Diane
Laura
It appears that you touched quite a few of us with your wonderful groovy quilt, Wendy! I fully intend to slow down and make my mornings last! 🙂
Jocelyn Thurston
See this is why I love to visit you Wendy. Wonderful commentary on how this beautiful project came to be. Groovy was the word of the day when I was in university. I never used it but I knew many who thought they were “cool” and did. LOL
Yvonne @Quilting Jetgirl
I love that the fabric your daughter gave you was the seed you needed to get this project started! It’s a super fun quilt, and all the different styles of piecing and quilting you used draw me right in. 🙂
Tracie
Ooo, you nailed “feeling groovy!” I always liked that song and this quilt definitely has the right retro vibe. Will this go up in your quilt room?
Cocoa Quilts
Love that yurt daughter’s gift send you down a groovy trip!! It really represent the song, Feeling Groovy!! Glad you knew how to dot that I.
Beth
Oh Wendy! You are so creative….this quilt has me feeling all the good groovy vibes. 😁 It’s fantastic!
Sandy Panagos
Your thoughts took quite a circuitous route! That’s the way great ideas are usually developed, though. I love it.
Sandi
Very cool Wendy!
catkiz
Awesome quilt! I love your quilt and was just listening to S&G yesterday. It definitely evokes the “groovy” vibe, Wendy! In fact, it’s outasite!
texasquiltgal
Wow this turned out great! I love the stipple around the seed stitches and I love the seed stitches! Yes your quilting looks like lava lamp globs (is that a compliment – lol!) I bet your daughter claims the quilt. Love the fabric she gifted you and also love the backing, and I love the look of those colors together. If your Endeavourers group has a contest, yours should win it!
Janine @ Rainbow Hare
I think this is a brilliant. When I was a child I always wanted a lava lamp. You really have captured a 60s vibe with this fun quilt 🙂
rl2b2017
Hi Wendy! What a fun piece!! I have to say I’m humming a Partridge Family song. Remember them – Keith and Laurie and the gang. With a big ‘ole bus that had a Groovy vibe. Just like your lovely finish. Really nice job!! {{Hugs}} ~smile~ Roseanne
Rochelle Summers
Definitely a hit!! Your daughter has an eye for the fabric. I love the way it inspired you and the way your mind traveled to get to the end. Thank you for explaining your thought process. That’s certainly how my art quilts have evolved. It would be interesting to see what others did with the theme. Congratulations on a piece to be proud of!
nanamickie
Oh I love this quilt! I love how you explained the process as well! It looks perfectly groovy!!!
Preeti Harris
You have definitely found your groove and I am loving all the joy and happiness you are making in your studio.
Carol Andrews
Hi Wendy. I think you nailed it with this piece! I’m feeling your joy just reading the post and thinking back on the 60’s and 70’s. Thanks for the ear worm. 😉
marissthequilter
I remember that song, and you have captured the mood of it perfectly! A truly groovy quilt.
Helen
The flower button is the perfect final touch.
And… ha ha… I actually have a lava lamp! Good comparison.
thedarlingdogwood
This is so fun! I really enjoyed your thought process going from the lava lamp to your brother’s car to the stereo in the car to the specific song. I absolutely love the colored sprinkle stitches around “Feelin Goovy!” Super fun!
Judy
I am in agreement with all the previous commenters! Love the memories and the story of your creation. The font and sprinkle stitchers are the perfect base for your Lava Lamp!