08 September 2011

King me

The Checkers quilt is done, and I'm surprised how much I love it. If only I could figure out how to photograph large quilts (twin size, this time). Sure, ironing would go a long way.
But still, this photo is with 6'-4" me, standing on a curb, tippy-toes. And the binding is still dragging. My binding does not drag!
The background fabrics are Kona Snow and Kaufman Carolina Chambray in natural. The squares are Merimekko print solids.

I've posted about the quilting before. I could not be happier with how it turned out. Such rich texture and the hand-feel is fantastic.
Here's the checkerboard.
The back has a strip of pumpkin pie. The background is Kaufman chambray, the light orange is a Kaufman solid, and the dark a Merimekko print.
Oy, I should have ironed.
I'm so happy with the texture and color in the detail shots -- I was worried the iron would ruin it. I love these detail shots in evening light, but the whole-quilt shots are garbage. And I don't have a studio bed to take pictures on.

What is your photography strategy?

18 comments:

  1. It looks fabulous! I don't make anything that big purely on the basis that I know I wouldn't be able to photograph it. One day... :-)

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  2. Your new quilt is really beautiful! I love those natural colours! I'm happy to see that you have used Marimekko's fabrics! I'm very fond of them and not only because they are Finnish like I am!
    Have great weekend!
    Teje

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  3. Completely stunning and loving those fall colors! Your designs are always so clever and original...

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  4. Hi! Just found you! Love this quilt! Can't wait to peruse your site!

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  5. Another amazing quilt. I love when I click on google reader and see a new post of yours pop up! Always inspired by what you create!

    I especially love the quilting. I wish I had a hint for photos. I recruit my husband to hold them and he usually drags the binding too. Maybe standing on a chair?

    Seriously beautiful, wrinkles and all! ;)

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  6. I love this quilt! I think the wrinkles might disappear with just a bit more height - maybe a chair to stand on or lay it on the ground and photograph from the chair?

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  7. I agree with Leanne. That is what I do. It takes a bit to get the hang of photographing some of these monsters!

    Your quilting is fabulous and the color choices very warm and cozy.

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  8. looks awesome! The quilting adds such great texture it really makes the quilt come alive!

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  9. Yeah - I always have to lay mine on the grass and stand on a chair to try to get a decent shot. Or sometimes I hang them in a tree.

    "Pumpkin Pie" on the back - awww, man. Now my mouth is watering like crazy. ;D Love the quilt.

    I read a blog once where she shared her photo-op tools. She went on regular little outings to find locales - had several clamps and a little bucket of clothes pins and safety pins. Usually found fences, trees, lines, railings to hang them on.

    Another blogger recently posted about two photography backdrop stands (look like bigger, sturdier music stands without the music plate) that she uses with a bar extended across between the two. Adjustable height and width, accommodates even king sizes.

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  10. A friend of mine strung a clothes line between 2 trees in her back yard and clips her quilts to them with clothes pins. That's how she gets pictures of all her stuff.

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  11. I've said it before and I'll say it again, "Gorgeous!"

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  12. fabulous! I love that texture your quilting provides. No secrets here for photography - I can never get a good, full shot.

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  13. oh my! the colors and the quilting are so decadent. i feel like i can taste the fall colors and soups and casseroles and pies of fall. i love every inch.

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  14. such amazing quilt Dan! love the solid colors and the geometric quilting!! you created something extraordinary with those fabrics!

    I not ironing my quilts, just i try to take the photo after put away the quilt from the dry machine... I think the grass or a fence works great to display!

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  15. I have a hard time photographing larger pieces, too. This quilt is really great... I so love the colors and the play with checks and the texture you made with your quilting.

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  16. Love the quilting and texture of this!! Oh, and the piece work, of course! Regarding your choice not to iron, I think you chose well, though if you want to try and get the bigger creases out, perhaps a good steaming will help without messing up that gorgeous texture.

    And for photographing larger quilts, I borrow my neighbor's fence and use either clothes pins or large butterfly clips. I've also been known to hang the quilt sideways so that the length goes along the fence instead of dragging in my flower bed.

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  17. I just learned a really cool quilt "folding" method from Therese May of CQFA. You roll the quilt in a diagonal direction (corner to corner), then coil it up. That way you avoid getting the folding wrinkles altogether!

    Gorgeous quilt, by the way! And I'm definitely going to try that quilting pattern.

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  18. Your quilts are amazing!!! As for photographing, I have a 6 foot wooden fence in the back yard. I run a clothesline along it and pin the quilt up there, sometimes sideways if needed. If a quilt is too big for that (and if you don't have a fence maybe borrow a neighbors?) I use a clothesline up against the brick wall or our house and a ladder to pin it up. Doing it up against a fence or house wall keeps it from blowing in the wind during photographing. I have also laid it on the grass. :)

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