The Art with Fabric Blog Hop began Monday, and today is my day to share about my project. 
I want to thank Alida of Tweety Loves Quilting for hosting this event. This is my first year participating, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it. I also have to thank Karen from Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats for encouraging me to join in on this blog hop. Karen is posting her project today too, along with two other fellow bloggers, so if you haven’t had a chance to visit their sites today, please do. I have links to those blogs at the end of this post.
The theme for the hop is 1 + 1 =3, and while my piece doesn’t exactly tie in with that theme, you will find many talented quilters who have done some amazing work.
The Artist
Clare Youngs is a paper and mixed media artist that I follow on Instagram. Her designs never cease to make me smile. I thoroughly enjoy her clever use of paper and mixed media to create texture and visual appeal. It took me days to muster up the courage to send her a direct message and ask if I could use one of her designs for this hop. She graciously said yes. I specifically asked her if I could use this design. I hope that my work honors hers. Thank you, Clare, for generously allowing me to use your work for inspiration!
The Fabric
I wanted to use the same colors as the original design, so I was on the look out for blue/white fabrics that were graphic and full of texture. While we were on a trip to Utah, I found all of the fabric I needed for this quilt, with the exception of the Kona Snow background fabric, which I had in my stash.
The fabric is a mix of fat quarters and fat eighths from various designers.
So without further ado, I present to you —
Sundance the Rooster
Why Sundance? Well, our trip to Utah was for a conference at the Sundance Mountain Resort. Since I found all the fabrics in Utah, the name just seemed appropriate. Besides, Sundance is kind of a cool name for a rooster, don’t you think?
The Construction
This is where the fun began. The quilt was constructed using improv techniques. For the body, I used improv piecing with the blue/white fabric. I had sketched out the design, so I made templates to use when I pieced the body together. 
Once the body was done, then I began work on the head. Honestly, I was winging it as I went along (no pun intended, ha!). I just thought about how I wanted it to look, and started sewing to see if I could get it into fabric.
There were a few hiccups along the way.
Not quite what I had in mind, so the ripper and I had a good time!
Before I knew it, I had Sundance constructed. Now to add those tail feathers and he’s ready to be squared up.
Constructing a quilt this way certainly lends itself to interesting seam intersections. I’m pretty sure there was an easier way, but what fun is that?!
I made the tail using the trimmings from some of my improv blocks for the body. You can see how I made those trimmings in this post. The tails were the last thing added to the quilt top. I appliqued them on using my machine.
Honestly, the trickiest part of this was quilting around the strings. I think the tail gives him a bit of a rakish personality, don’t you? Either that, or he’s waking up from a rough night of protecting the roost!
The Quilting
I had to ponder the quilting for a little bit, but in keeping with the Sundance theme, I decided to incorporate rays of sunshine in the quilting. I used yellow Aurifil thread for the rays.
I may go back and add a bit more yellow thread quilting so that it stands out a bit more. We’ll see.
In the foreground, I stitched slightly curved lines for the ground using a natural thread from Aurifil.
You can see that I used some straight line quilting in the rooster body as well.
I thoroughly enjoyed the whole process of constructing Sundance. I hope you enjoyed reading my process and seeing the finished work.
Grab another cup of tea or coffee, and pop over to my fellow bloggers who are posting today:
- Kat at Kat Knap
- Julie at Julie Bagamary Art
- Karen at Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats
- Wendy at Pieceful Thoughts of My Quilting Life – You’re here!
Thanks for stopping by my blog today, and I hope you’ll be back again!
Wendy
Sundance is a brilliant name for a rooster. Especially one like this good looking fellow. Loved your project Wendy. 🙂
What a great rendition of the original. Love both his head plumage and his tail feathers
Wendy, that’s wonderful! Very true to your inspiration. The beak slip made me laugh–thanks for your honesty. I love how you did the comb. Very jaunty little piece!
Wendy, Sundance is beautiful! What a great way to honor the original— I love the clever way you designed the plumage and tail feathers..truly a piece of art!
Thank you!! It was a fun project!
Oh, wow! Sundance is awesome! You did a fantastic job creating your own fabric version of the artist’s clever design. The offset beak photo cracked me up!
Super little piece, Wendy. Chickens are my favorite bird 🙂
Thanks, Louise! Chickens are a favorite of mine too!
Holy cow you did fantastic!! And you made me laugh with your misplaced beak photo:0 The tail feathers are so cool-just a thought for next time-quilt then applique them on;) For just ‘winging’ it you nailed it perfectly!!!
Well, duh. Why didn’t I think of that?! Thanks!
Oh my gosh! What a cute little quilt!
Thank you! It was fun to make.
This is awesome, Wendy! I loved reading about the process for creating Sundance. I think sometimes you just have to jump right in. I hope you have sent a picture to Clare. I think she would enjoy seeing it. Your fabrics are just spot on!
Thanks, Tish! Yes, I will send her the picture 😊
You have done a wonderful job on this rooster! You are quite the artist yourself!
Thank you, Danette. I enjoyed the process!
WOWEE WENDY!!!! This is SO darn cool. I love this so much, and how clever to use the trimmings for the tail. And your staging for the photo shot looks great, too. An all around winner-winner chicken dinner in my book. Happy Wednesday! ~smile~ Roseanne
Thank you! I’m very happy with it 😊
lol Roseanne…. I think Sundance might object to being a chicken dinner! xx
This is fantastic Wendy. Sundance exudes personality – his tail feathers are the perfect touch. Excellent job with this. I am sure the artist will agree you made an awesome version of her piece. Love it.
Thank you, Bernie! I hope she likes it!
I love this! (And the original artwork.) The rooster’s comb evokes the sunrise for me even without the quilting. Very cool!
Thanks, Becca! I’m glad you like it!
I love Sundance…great little quilt!!
Thank you, Deb!
Sundance is quite an amazing rooster. Thank for taking us through your process.
Thank you, KJ. 😊
My friend, this Sundance creation is fabulous! What a handsome fellow, complemented by your creativity!
Thanks, my friend!
So glad you joined the hop! I was delighted to see someone else had used what I call “raw edge applique.” My entire piece was constructed that way. Look for my post tomorrow ~
Thanks, Tami! I’ll definitely catch your post tomorrow!
Love your rooster and yes, Sundance is a great rooster name.
Thanks, Laura!
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Great quilt! So much fun to chat with the artist and then create such a faithful quilty rendition. I love the tail and admire the creativity of your improv piecing. I woul love to have him strut through my yard.
Thanks, Kathleen!
Oh he’s fantastic, Wendy! I love the raggedy tail and the colour scheme is gorgeous!
Thank you, Sandra! I’m glad you like it!
Wendy I love what you made. It’s wonderful. Maybe next year I will tackle this. The quilting is spot on, and I like your improv technique for making it. Your rooster looks so happy….and indeed . ” What fun is that”
Thank you, Lisa! I think you would enjoy the hop!
Your rooster is great. And I think Sundance fits perfectly. Nice job!
Thank you so much!
Hi Wendy, what a great project. Sundance looks wonderful! You did a great job interpreting the image. I love improv sewing – it’s hit and miss, but either way it’s always mostly fun and lots of learning.
Thank you! I enjoy improv. It relaxes me and definitely challenges me.
I love roosters and chickens and Sundance is awesome!! Great job!
Thank you!
I LOVE your rooster. What a cool piece, and I loved reading about your process.
Thank you! It was an enjoyable project!
Oh Wendy! Sundance is wonderful! What a beautiful and inspired fella. I love the sun ray quilting, it makes him shine all the more!
What does the 1 + 1 = 3 mean?
Thanks, Abbie! 1 + 1 = 3 is a concept developed by Josef Albers. If you click on the Art with Fabric button, it will take you to Alida’s site. She explains it well.
Thanks Wendy!
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Absolutely creative and inspiring interpretation of the original piece!! I am so happy that you decided to join the event, thanks for being part of its success!!!
Thank you, and thank you for hosting the Hop!