12x12's

What is a 12 by 12?  It is a small quilt that measures 12" x 12".  They are meant to challenge yourself as a quilt artist, help you to grow and connect with other quilters. 

This concept was started in 2007 by Diane Perin Hock. She invited 11 other quilters from all over the world to participate in a fiber adventure.  She was familiar with their quilts from websites and blogs, but most of them she had not met. The idea was to have a monthly theme and each quilter committed to create one 12x12 each month. 

I had the great fortune of seeing a group exhibit of their work at the Houston International Quilt Festival in 2011, grouped by monthly theme and each month was hung on black fabric.   There were 288 quilts and the themes ranged from color to emotion to objects. It was amazing hoe each of the artists interpreted the themes.  It was exciting to see how they hung together.  And the size made it doable.   If you want to read about this project and see photos of their creations they have published a book and there is a website:

www.twelveby12.org

So our group decided it would be fun to do a 12x12 challenge.  We chose not to have a common theme.  Each of us chose our own.  This is the first time that I am sharing mine on-line.  I chose to do Studies with Silk.  I have been working with silk dupioni for a while and wanted to play with it and just experiment.  They are not all masterpieces, but I have learned something each month.

January's "Hardweat"

"Hardwear" close-up

February's Bubbles

February Close-up

March's Kouched Kurls

April's Zinnia (with a bit of pink velvet)



Zinnia close-up

It has been a lot of fun.  I will finish out the year hopefully learning more and more about working with silk.  To be inspired, click on the link above.  Read about how different artists approach the project and maybe you'll start your own.