Contemplation III: Oh Just to Be, 44 x 50in. The face is hand painted with
DecoArt SoSoft Fabric Paints. The piece is designed using the 'Fantasy Fabrics' technique of capturing
everything under a sheer top layer of tulle. The layers are stitched together with invisible thread. The sky
twinkles with Rhinestones. The message is that the future is on her mind but she is holding on to the past.
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Mother of three grown children (as well as three cats and a
golden retriever), Bonnie McCaffery runs her business
with her husband who helps handle the details of the business in order to free up
some time for her to be creative. She lives in a rural area of northeastern
Pennsylvania and has a studio separate from the house so the cats are not allowed
to play in the fabric.
When did you start quilting? I started quilting after having my first baby there seems to be an itch in the fingers
to play with fibre. I started with cross stitch and quickly turned to patchwork. This was
22 years ago and it has been my passion ever since. I'm basically self-taught
although I have taken classes for fun and techniques over the years.
Favourite colour? I love clean, clear colours best. It would be
difficult to select just one or two colours as my favorite. I am not a fan of the muted
colour palette, although there is a place for all of them.
Describe your stash? A painter can mix any colour he/she needs
but we as quilters need to buy the colours we need. This is my rationalization for my
fabric purchasing. I have a good size collection of fabrics, which are stored on
bookcases that occupy at 8ft square wall space. Of course there's more hidden in
bins in a few other places. The interesting thing about my fabric storage area is that
my husband has installed a sliding door system for a design wall in front of the
bookcases. Felt-covered foam is mounted on the sliding door system. This is a great
place to preview designs, it protects the fabric in the bookcases from excess
exposure to light and it allows the wall space to serve a double purpose.
How many reels of thread do you have? It would certainly take a while to count
them, so I won't. But I can give you a good guess - maybe 400 spools? I have metallic
thread, invisible thread (YLI's Wonder Invisible Thread is my absolute favourite),
sewing thread, decorative thread, heavier threads, silk threads and lots more. I never
realised how much I had until you asked.
Hand or machine? I am definitely a machine person, though I
did start in the traditional manner of hand quilting and hand piecing. I have too many
ideas of things I would like to do and never enough time. My machine is my friend: it
helps me achieve the things I dream of.
How Sweet It Is,
54 x 43in. Four pieces of 'Fantasy Fabric' were
created and then cut up and pieced into this design.
Ribbons, threads, Tintzl, tulle, and holographic paper
have been captured to create these Fantasy Fabrics.
When was working on this quilt I was the recipient
of the Jewel Pearce Patterson Scholarship that sent me
to Innsbruck, Austria to the International Quilt Expo.
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Type of sewing machine you use? I love my Bernina. I own an 1130 and
Bernina loans me an Artista 200E. This gives me a chance to also experiment
with digitized machine embroidery.
Favourite technique? I have developed my 'Fantasy Fabric'
technique of capturing various things (like cut fabric, ribbon, thread, yarn, metallic stars,
Tintzl, and lots more) under a sheer top layer of fabric (usually tulle netting). The layers
are then stitched together with invisible thread. The resulting fabric can be bordered
and quilted as is, or it can be cut up and pieced or appliquéd in a quilt. The beauty of
this technique is that you can create complex looking quilts quickly and easily. Sharp points
and deep curves are not a problem. The tulle on the top layer is only visible if you look
very closely. My newest passion, however is painting faces. I have been teaching beginners
to paint faces on fabric and then they are able to add hair and clothing using the
'Fantasy Fabric' technique. People are always excited at the results in class. The secret is
that there is a guideline drawing under the fabric so you do not have to be an artist.
The guideline drawing shows you exactly where the shading and features must be.
India, 22 x 25in. The face is
hand painted with DecoArt SoSoft Fabric Paints. Her
clothing and border are made from an Indian Sari
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Do you own any quilt books? I probably own about 100-200 books.
I especially love technique books. I also purchase books on art, artistic techniques,
embroidery and design.
What is your top tip? I love to teach students about free-motion
stitching. My tip is that I recommend experimenting with leaving the feed dogs
UP rather than dropping them. If you lower the feed dogs, the fabric slides much to easily
and you have very little control. However if you can leave the feed dogs up, they will
grab the fabric each time, making it much easier to control the size of the stitches. Not
all machines like the feed dogs up, so you will have to experiment with your machine.
Most admired living quilters? Hollis Chatelaine and Caryl Bryer Fallert:
these ladies are incredible artists and lovely people as well.
Are you a member of any groups? I belong to a local quilt group that has about
130 members. In the past I was a very active member serving on a wide variety of
committees. My travel and teaching keep me from doing that now although I still go
to the meetings whenever I can. I am also a member of International Quilt Association
and American Quilters Society.
Through Kaitlyn's Eyes . . . Butterflies!
by Carol Hill (student work), 31 x 40in. Carol
took both of Bonnie's Painted Face workshops -
the beginners class and the advanced class. She
painted her grandaughter's face and clothing.
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Where do you sew? My husband gave me his garage, which he
finished it and added lots of lighting. It is a peaceful place to be able to go and create.
My passion for quilting has taken me to a world of travel and teaching - which I love.
The sad thing is that I don't get to quilt as often so I try to schedule empty weeks
between teaching classes in order to have some creative time.
Do you have a day job or other commitments? My career is teaching quilting and writing
books. Who would ever think that this is one of the careers available when you
graduate from school? I am blessed to do what I love and be able to share it with
others. I try to leave gaps in the schedule so I can still enjoy what I love. Currently
I'm working on a book on Painted Faces.
Proudest quilting moment? Every time a student shows a quilt started in
my class. These are my grandchildren (the quilts that is). I was there when they were
conceived. It is always so exciting to see what students do with the faces they paint in class.
Where do you get your inspiration? I see inspiration everywhere. People's faces,
magazines, tile floors, nature, architecture, cards, art, other people's quilts, books,
techniques and everywhere. I try to keep a scrapbook for cut out pictures and I also
carry around a small notebook to doodle in while I wait. I love seeing the City & Guilds
notebooks of students in Embroidery and Patchwork and Quilting.
Best museum for inspiration? On my visits to England I have really
enjoyed the V&A clothing exhibit. In the States the International Quilt Festival is an
extraordinary exhibit of quilts. I always come away filled with inspiration. My
passion is for quilting but I am also very intrigued by a type of embroidery done in
India called Zardozi. It is beautiful hand stitched gold work. My dream is to visit
India and learn how to do this. If there is someone out there who knows how to make
my dream come true, contact me.
Preferred sewing thread? YLI threads. I especially love their Wonder
Invisible Thread for quilting and free-motion stitching. It is the best invisible thread on
the market and I've seen so many invisible threads during my teaching that do not
work well. YLI Wonder Invisible Thread really is the best.
What wadding and why? I use Pellon Fusible Fleece. I love that it can
be fused to the backing and it makes my quilts lay nice and flat.
Do you teach and if so what is your favourite subject? I teach all over the US and I have had quite
a few international teaching trips. I just returned from my fourth trip to England
and I'm planning another trip around August/September 2005. I love to visit
quilters in other countries and experience their lifestyles. I love teaching the 'Painted
Face' workshop: students are always amazed at what they can do. The secret is
that there is a guideline drawing under the fabric so you do not have to have great
artistic talent to paint a face. The 'Floral Sampler Fantasy' workshop is another of
my favorites: students create three floral blocks in one day. The secret is that they
capture artificial flowers under a layer of tulle. The 'Fantasy Fabric Sampler'
workshop is also a fun class to teach. My favourite lecture to give is my 'Inspiration
and Development of a Quilt Artist' lecture. There is always something for everyone.
It covers a broad range of quilts from traditional to contemporary. Everyone can
relate to something along the path. I love sharing what I love. The moment when a
student begins to believe 'Yes, I CAN do this' is so exciting. I love to show people
that they can have fun with it.
Ever travelled in search of quilts? I was a recipient of the Jewel Pearce
Patterson Scholarship that sent me to Innsbruck, Austria to the International Quilt
Expo, which whetted my appetite for international travel. Since then I have had
five more trips when I travelled and taught in Sweden, Denmark, England, Ireland,
Scotland and France. Of course, everywhere I travel I get to see quilts.
What are your quilting goals? To share my quilts and their stories as I
travel and touch other peoples lives. I would love to exhibit more and dream of
someday winning at the big shows. At the moment my goal is to get the Painted Face
book published (available later this year).
If you would like to know more about
Bonnie's work see her books Fantasy
Fabrics: Techniques for Layered Surface
Design and Fantasy Floral Quilts:
Creating with Silk Flowers, both
published by Martingale & Company
(That Patchwork Place imprint) and
available from Amazon.
For more details check out
her website Bonnie McCaffrey
First published in Popular Patchwork Volume 12 Number 9 - August 2004
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