another fun piece - Burlesque Quilt Square #2 completed

Smiling is ok, it is meant to be the stage that the performers strut theirselves on, I'm hoping that when its shown in context with all the other squares of the Burleque Quilt it will be prehaps a little more obvious! I'm still not sure whether to add stage footlights or not..........any thoughts?

Burlesque Quilt Square #2, ready to go, with some photos of my ongoing projects sketchbook

heres everything ready for my next square for the quilt, & if I'm lucky the centre square...

my sketchbook page for square #2 where you might be able to make out that I'll be amking a stage and banner for the group

the orignal sketches and samples when considering the first square

I really enjoy the freedom of a sketchbook, anything goes!

I liked this basic idea but preferred the stockings more in the end

this shows my original drawing and the 'patterns' for the undies and stocking tops, which is stapled in over the first 2 pages, I like to keep related work together no mattered how clutterd it gets

I enjoy the sample making process, quite often very small ones, this one is only 6 x 5.5 cm

and for a little bit of burlesque quilting fun....

Another week has flown by plenty of projects on going but here is one I've done for fun.
The North West Burlesque Society http://www.northwestburlesquesociety.com/ (they're also on Facebook and Twitter) requested donations of burlesque themed 12" squares (+half an inch allowance for stitching them together) for a charity quilt and I thought I would join in with a small contribution.

I decided to make a square based around the saucy lingerie that is so pivotal to burlesque.
As I love the 50's style I took my inspiration from the lingerie so beautifully made by
'What Katie Did ';   http://www.whatkatiedid.com/src/about_us.php

I have been advised that true Burlesque is a celebration of the female at her most tantilising and despite misconceptions and confusion with stripping never reveals all. Also that every good act is based on a planned out storyline, often with humour.

I also felt that every true Burlesque artiste is a star in their own right and so it seemed natural to use a star stitch as a decorative filler.

I drew the image and then replicated it by machine appliqued taffeta, silk and nylon stocking onto calico and sandwiched in some wadding with another layer of calico

the reverse of the the first piece of applique,
I don't know why but I'm always fascinated by the back of hand or machine stitched work

all done, I love red shoes but wanted the impact from the silk stocking tops so had to subdue the shoes, sorry shoes

I embroidered the stars which seemed to decide where they wanted to go all by themselves
and I decided to back it with a third layer of calico to protect the reverse of the stitching

the reverse of the stars, which have mysteriously developed a slightly Oriental allure