Scrap Knit Art

The San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles  has a new exhibit called Scrap ART, with a display of some wonderful quilts made in a very creative way with scrap fabrics.  This exhibit examines the history of the scrap quilt and  displays the work of contemporary fiber artists who have taken leftovers and recycled clothing (including gloves, ties and old sweaters)  and fashioned them into works of art.  There is a visually striking quilt made with silk bow ties, another created with women's dress gloves and pin cushions and one made out of recycled aluminum cups from used votive candles.

Ellen Danforth is an artist who was interested in working with felted woolens and used old sweaters and funky old afghans to create a series of colorful and interesting quilts.  Here is a picture of her quilt called
Corn and Beans:

                                                                              


                                                                                     
A close up of the recycled pieces:

                                                                                


  
  Here is her felted quilt called Behind Bars:                                                                              

                                                                                        


A closer look:

                                                                                    

      The exhibit will be there until October 16th and definitely inspires you to try something new and different with your fabric stash and old castoff sweaters.   While I was at The Museum,  I met this woman wearing a really nice quilted vest that she did herself.  She was kind enough to let me take some pictures:

                                                                                      

                                                                                
                                                                                  
                                                                                    

Here's a picture of Rowan modeling the sweater I made for him for this Fall; it's a little big and hopefully will fit him through the school year.  The pattern is called Maize from Nashua Handknits:

                                                                              



Enjoying  the summer weather!