Mosaic Challenge
The Mosaic Challenge is the final 2024 challenge from The Endeavourers Art Quilt group. As usual, I had an idea for this quilt long ago, but the quilt I ended up making is not even close to my original idea. My inspiration for this piece comes from “pothole art”, where artists fill in potholes in cities around the world with mosaic art. I think it’s a cool way to take something unsightly and make it fun to see. Google it and you will see all kinds of examples.
Back in 2023, I participated in the Dreamlines Project from Serendipity Patchwork & Quilting. Each month we were given an improv technique, and at the end of the year, I had a bundle of improv strips. Those strips have been waiting patiently for me to decide how to use them. I used a few of them for this mosaic challenge and they worked perfectly.
After I had sewn a few of the strips together, I did a random cut, then framed that with a black print. Then I added the background Isidewalk) fabric along with some sidewalk “cracks”.
It didn’t turn out quite as I had planned, I feel it’s a little too angular. I wanted it to look more ragged, but couldn’t wrap my head around how to work that out with improv. That’s part of the enjoyment of the challenge for me, seeing what works and what doesn’t.
When it came to the quilting, I actually took some of the scraps from the quilt top and made a sample so I could mess around with quilting ideas.
You can see that I was experimenting with a hexagon sidewalk design, and I also played around a bit with thread color for the sidewalk. I didn’t want the sidewalk to stand out too much. In the end, I went with a rectangular sidewalk design using a brown thread. I quilted double lines so it would stand out enough to be seen. The brown thread also was used to represent the dirt on the sidewalk, etc.
The quilting in the mosaic is just random lines quilted throughout using an orange thread. I wanted the mosaic design to draw the attention rather than the quilting.
For the backing, I used this fabric from my stash. I thought it fit the theme well.
The finished quilt measures 20 x 22 inches. This mosaic challenge was a fun way to wrap up the year for our group! You can see the other art challenge quilts at The Endeavourers.
Wendy
SAHRR Border 2
16 Comments
marissthequilter
This is spectacular — the brightness of the patched ‘pothole’ against the slate grey of the surrounding fabric works brilliantly. The improv strips are wonderful. The shapes and colour combinations sing. Well done!
laura bruno lilly
What a wonderful way to apply your improv strips into a fully formed art piece. The idea of mosaics as fill in/cover over sidewalk potholes is intriguing. I went to the Endeavourers site and really liked the “Ostia Antica” piece and process. I admire your commitment to do each challenge & post 4 times a year with your finishes…I can see how this would be a fine way to explore new techniques and hone your skills. Brava!
Kate
Very bold and bright! A fun interpretation of the challenge.
Laura Kate
Nice little piece. I like your fabric and thread choices.
J Mur
What a great use of your Dreamlines Project pieces, Wendy! Congrats on your latest challenge finish.
Barbara J Stanbro
It turned out great, Wendy! Love it!
Karen
I love the brightness of the piece
Nancy @ Grace and Peace Quilting
Love the mosaic pothole art! I hadn’t heard of it before and certainly haven’t seen it. I wonder if they have any in Minnesota. Very original quilt and quilting, Wendy!!!
aquilterstable
I enjoyed seeing and hearing more about this piece, particularly your trying out different quilting designs to get your desired result. An interesting challenge!
Diann@LittlePenguinQuilts
This is fun to see, Wendy! A fun idea for inspiration, and such a great way to use those Dreamlines pieces. I made a few of those, too, but haven’t done anything with them either. Now I want to!
Janine @ Rainbow Hare
I love this colourful block and I’m very impressed that potholes inspire art!
Quilting is in my Blood
What a colorful piece of improv with great inspiration!
texasquiltgal
Fun piece – I think your “pothole” is beautified! Your quilting looks spectacular.
Vicki in MN
You amaze me with what you come up with for these challenges! Best pothole I have ever met:)
kathleenmcmusing
Quilted pothole art – what an idea! It is a fun piece and I love your creativity. I wouldn’t mind running over that pothole with my tires!
Yvonne @Quilting Jetgirl
I like the thought and intention you put into all the details of this piece, even the color of the quilting thread. I love a good challenge and hope that the Endeavourers plan to continue on!