Anyone for Chess??

[Lorchen]

Festival of Quilts in Birmingham has a category called 'Quilt Creations'. The rules say that whatever you enter has to have a 3-D element. So you see lots of bags, garments, bowls, dolls, etc. The winner this year was a full-size 'coracle' (a kind of boat). The category always intrigues me, so I decided to enter something this year.

I'm totally non-competitive, but always thought it's rather nice to see something that I made displayed.

So here is the story (short version): We have had a set of rather large chess pieces in the family for years. We love them, but it's rather difficult to play with them because the standard boards are all too small. So I decided to make a 'board' especially for this set, and a couple of bags for storing the chess pieces.

The light squares are a hand-dyed evenweave fabric, hand-embroidered with an Elizabethan blackwork motif that I designed myself (big compliment of one of the judges on the comment sheet: 'Very attractive machine embroidery.') The dark squares are a hand-dyed fabric by the German textile artist Heide Stoll-Weber. If you click on the pictures you can see a bigger version.

I now have to start thinking if I want to enter something next year. Lack of time is always my biggest problem. Sigh....

[Renata]

Lorchen, your chessboard is really beautiful--the colors of the squares and embroidery are so perfect together--truly class act! Love your top, also, multi-colored, modern and becomes you! Did you make it? Look forward to what you create for next year's exhibit!

[rehak]

I think your chess set is incredibly beautiful! I hope you decide to enter next year just so I can see what other creative thing you come up with. Your ideas are always so fun! And so beautifully executed! But I understand about the time constraints....

Nancy

[AndreeBergeron]

Beautiful! Colors are so rich, Very well done.

[AndreeBergeron]

Holy Smolly, Lorchen! :shock: :shock: :shock: You will never cease to amaze me (us?). Brilliant! This is WAY better than underpants!
Both your chess set and you are smashing!


Now for the sub-plot. Here I am ready to go to bed,and taking a last peak at the forum before tucking in for the night. I see a new topic begun by: Lorchen. Titled: Anyone for Chess? Hmm, I say to myself, I wonder what she's up to now, and how any pages is this QUILTING forum going to end up spending on the subject of chess. Maybe it's another type of exchange, where we play virtual chess, like our virtual parties....well, my mind sure was going fast...but Lorchern you still managed to surprise me. Love your stuff. :lol: I wonder what I'll come up with in my dreams now, or will I even sleep?

[Sewdreamy]

Lorchen, That is fantastic! I love it. And that pic of you is also rather sensational too.

[lotti]

Fabulous chess set, lorchen. Such a great family heirloom you've created!

[twiglet]

Wow Lorchen didn't realise it was yours, it's fabulous Silly judge :roll:

[Zarah]

I really can't add much to what the others already said but I want to be here and say fabulous creation and fabulous you. Both very beautiful

[Lorchen]

Thank you guys! I'll try and share pictures of my favourite quilts from the show. It's just a question of finding the time. I seem to be even more busy during holidays than when school is on.

[Reetzbobeetz]

Lorchen, your chess set is beautiful. The blackwork design is fabulous and the piece as a whole really works so well. I think you should definitely make something for next year - even if it's just so we can hear about the ridiculous comments from the 'Judges'. :roll:

You are looking fabulous dah-ling!

[idaho]

Ditto, ditto !

[sewmarti]

Love it. What a cleaver idea. Would love to see other entries.

[sewmarti]

Great looking piece.

Any chance of a look at the coracle? I was just thinking of making one for myself whilst on holiday - but am having trouble trying to work out how to make it water-tight....

[suehenyon]

That's a beautiful sight, Lorchen, your project and you!

I thought a coracle was a boat made from a basket. How is that quilting?

Ah, the education level of quilt judges...perhaps they need Rosemary to help them spot hand embroidery. :lol: :lol: