Dear friends of PPM, The first issue of the Newsletter in 2013 cannot focus on anything else than the upcoming international exhibition, that will take place in April in Prague. Therefore, I am delighted to present you profiles of four authors that will have their own expositions within PPM and who surely represent the highlights of the show. In case you are interested in learning these amazing techniques, sign up for our workshops. But hurry, places are quickly disappearing.

Anna Štěrbová

The best for patchwork…

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www.sicistroj.cz

www.latky.cz

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www.patchworkparty.sk

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www.vierma.cz

www.patchwork-hobby.cz

www.patch-design.cz

www.berninacentrum-av.cz

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NEWSLETTER

„I collect old theatre

costumes that I can use in

my art quilts....“

p.4

Content

Nacenta de la Croix p. 2

Helena Fikejzová p. 3

Anka Pradel p.4

Jaroslava Grycová p.5

Sunshine (Coats Czecho) p. 6

Prague Patchwork Meeting Newsletter ● 2013 January ● www.praguepatchworkmeeting.com

Elisabeth Nacenta de la Croix

01/13

Lava, 80cm x 120cm

Moorea, 75 cm x 110cm Macondo, 75cm x 110cm

Since 1992 I play with fabrics using traditional patchwork techniques which led me to a more contemporary

style. Inspiration comes from the images registered in my memory during the daily walks with my dog in parks,

in the mountain, along the Leman’s lake, or from images from TV programs or from magazines, books… It is not

about reproducing a pattern, but it is a kind of expressive language mixing sewing, embroidery, painting,

collage…

I like all the different parts of my work which is exclusively based on improvisation: the choice of the range of

colours, the fabrics selection, the construction, the sewing, the embellishment and even the binding. In my

landscapes, I only work with simple shapes such as squares and rectangles cut and settled in an

improvisational way. First I select the size of the future piece. Second I choose “the” fabric I want in my quilt

(Prima Donna) which will be the base of the piece; then I work on the range of colours (1 colour, 2 colours or

more) and on the value: this is the most important part of the process of my work and it takes all my attention

and I select the different fabrics from my collection. My fantasy decides of the colours and the light which

intensity and tone give life to the whole design. I mainly use hand dyed fabrics and batiks, so strong with their

shapes, shades and so vivid colours. In my landscapes, I only work with simple shapes such as squares and

rectangles cut and settled in an improvisational way. I go to my working wall with the squares and rectangles

cut from my Prima Donna and I settle those pieces in a smooth curve, or line according to my mood; I add

another fabric only when I am happy with the result; and I go on and on until the all allowed surface is

covered. When the top is sewn, it is time to machine quilt and to embellish. I work on texture with threads, wool

or whatever I have, I may add some painted details, and finally I concentrate on the embroidery always done

by machine

I feel concern by the impact our way of life have on our world, but it is with a positive tone of voice that I

reproduce in my textile landscapes a whole world of colours.

Stars of the 7th PPM... Elisabeth Nacenta de la Croix (Switzerland)

„Imagine.. improvisational landscapes“

„Představ si…improvizace krajiny“

Prague Patchwork Meeting Newsletter ● 2013, January ● www.praguepatchworkmeeting.com Page 2

Foto: Ineke van Unen

Photo: Helena Fikejzová

Inspiration Klimt Tree, 2012

Prague Patchwork Meeting Newsletter ● 2013, January ● www.praguepatchworkmeeting.com Page 3

Helena Fikejzová

7th PPM Guest of Honour

I was born in the sign of Scales, thus being gifted with creativity, originality and arts’ understanding. That is why

it should not be surprising that I have been involved with various creative activities since childhood, developing

them further as a mother of three. When I grew up, we used to keep practically everything, in case it could be

used in the future. I came across many techniques and materials, which were easy to get and we often had

those at home anyway – wood, paper, wool, textiles, beads etc. The last thing I tried out was patchwork and I

stayed faithful to it until today. I made my first quilt more than 15 years ago, purely by intuition as I had no

knowledge of patchwork and quilting techniques at that point in time. Soon I started sewing the classic scrap

quilts, which let me play with my creativity.

Once Art Club CZ was founded in 2008, my quilting future became absolutely clean. Since then, I am focusing

on art quilts and modern techniques.

I am inspired mainly by illustrations, photographs in magazines, calendars and on the internet as these are to

me, a librarian by profession, very close. I prefer to transfer other art techniques into textile works, putting fabrics

I received, inherited or have already ahead of the expensive commercial fabrics. I am attracted to unusual

fabrics with interesting patterns that you cannot see in shops. I do work with fabrics further, changing their

colours, structure and patterns by hand dying screen printing rust dying etc.

Even after 30 years, I am faithful to a Czech sewing machine (Lada, Zetina, and Veronica); the decision is

based not upon the variety of stitches but the ability to piece through literally anything.

Having participated on numerous modern patchwork techniques workshops, reading through many books and

even more web pages, and visiting multiple exhibitions, the time has come for me to pass some of my

knowledge and experience further. I am delighted by every new face in the workshops, ach newly hooked

quilter.

I have been exhibiting in multiple collections of the Prague Patchwork Meeting. I have participated on

numerous exhibitions in the Czech Republic (Fulnek, Prague, Melnik) and abroad (Birmingham, St. Marie aux

Mines, Tatabanya). I enjoy taking part in challenges and humanitarian projects, making quilts for children from

children homes. I am a member of the Prague Patchwork Meeting organizational committee and the Bohemia

Patchwork Club.

Helena Fikejzová

http//:http://www.hafy.estranky.cz/

Filzstudie

Elfen 1

Elfen 3

Foto: Anka Pradel

My specialization is innovative textile art. This area

enables me to be creative and allows me to use all

materials that may be combined with a fabric.

Therefore, I am not limited by fabrics, but can use them

to create a final art object, most often a picture or an

art quilt.

I was born in 1979 in Berlin, which always was and

always will be the symbol of artistic variety. I have

studied art at college and graduated in 2004 with my

thesis on textiles and surfaces. The thesis was called

“surfaces and light effects”. I have collected a large

number of materials for it, changing them by quilting

into different structures that have reacted to changing

light conditions. The variety of matt, shine, plasticity and

changes in colour shades is something that became the

core topic of my work and follows me until today.

In these days, I like to experiment with stitches and gross

materials, which perfectly accompanies machine

quilting and see through textiles.

I do very often enrich my textile works by printing and

painting. Since 2010, I am increasingly interested in

felting and all the opportunities a felting machine gives

you. This amazing technique enables me to combine

felt, wool and different threads to create a multi-layer

textile “aquarelle”. I am also working on my “coffee

pictures”. For these, I am using the golden coffee filters

as a background for quilting or I am using coffee to dye

fabrics, paper and threads. I got this idea through my

job (I work as an assistant of the decorations director in

the Meiningen theatre). We drink loads of coffee and

have lots of the filters, which I always wanted to use as a

material for my work.

Besides, I am collecting old theatre costumes, which

may be also used as a material in my art quilts. My job is

to design and create costumes. Doing that I can use my

passion for textile structures, but I also get a lot of

inspiration and ideas for my hobby.

I like to share my knowledge and experience with my

students during numerous workshops in the theatre,

exhibitions and while cooperating with other textile

artists.

umělkyněmi.

Anke Pradel, 2012 December

Prague Patchwork Meeting Newsletter ● 2013, January ● www.praguepatchworkmeeting.com Page 4

Anka Pradel

Textile Designer

Foto: Jaroslava Grycová

Jaroslava Grycová

To the visitors of Prague Patchwork Meeting, this artist is very well known. Her quilts were among the

winning pieces in multiple competitions. This year, she would like to invite you to her gallery.

My name is Jaroslava Grycová and I am 59. I have studied textile in Brno, focusing on artistic

adaptation of textiles, mainly lace and embroideries, which have a long tradition in the Czech

Republic.

I have won the “Best Czech Quilt” on the 6th Prague Patchwork Meeting and have decided to

present more of my works in a separate gallery this year. The quilts can be divided into two groups:

- Quilts made according to photographs. These are reflecting landscape pictures I have made

myself. I am trying to replicate as detailed as possible what I see in the picture by layering

fabrics (sky, stones, water, trees) and then making the leaves – tiny pieces of fabrics which I

freely lay on the quilt and then machine quilt through. The final picture is very close to the

photography.

- Layered quilts, which is another technique I like. I use whatever I find at home. This can be an

old lace that I have combined with other materials. It reminds me of my studies. The quilt

“Rose a hundred different times” is made from old rose fabric scraps that I supplemented with

a silver foil from a bouquet I received.

All my quilts include nature and flowers that I love. I hope that you will enjoy my quilts!

Jaroslava Grycová, January 2013

Prague Patchwork Meeting Newsletter ● 2013, January ● www.praguepatchworkmeeting.com Page 5

Quilts with Coats Czecho – Sunshine

Prague Patchwork Meeting Newsletter ● 2013, January ● www.praguepatchworkmeeting.com Page 6

This is where you can buy the fabrics you need

for the project

www.atelier-magenta.cz

www.vierma.cz

www.veselajehlicka.cz

www.latkyprovas.cz

www.umelluzinky.cz

Design Lucy A. Fazely / oroginal quilt size: 239x285 cm /

block size: 16” x 16”(40,64 x 40,64 cm) Original: Free Spirit Fabrics, design Dena Designs

The original fabric qidth is 110cm, adjust the usage if working with a diffent favric width. Keep in mind: 1“=2,54 cm, 1 yd = 0,91 cm)

FABRIC USAGE WHAT TO CUT

Fabric B DF002-Orange

1 ½ yd (1,4 m)

10 squares with a side of 6“ (15,24 cm)

Fabric C DF002-Yellow

1 ½ yd (1,4 m)

10 squares with a side of 6“ (15,24 cm),

Fabric D DF003-Pink

2 5/8 yd (2,4 m) 31 squares with a side of 7 ¼“ (18,43 cm)

Fabric E DF003-White

1 ¼ yd (1,2m) 58 squares with a side of 4 ¾“ (12,1 cm)

Fabric G DF005-Navy

1/2 yd (0,46m) 10 squares with a side of 6“ (15,24 cm)

Fabric H DF005-Pink

1/2yd (0,4ž m) 10 squares with a side of 6“ (15,24 cm), cut diagonally into 4 triangles

Fabric J DF006-Aqua

1 1/8 yd (1,1 m) 25 rectangles 2 ½“ x 16 ½“(6.35 x 41,91 cm)

Fabric K DF006-Pink

1 1/8 yd (1,1 m) 25 rectangles 2 ½“ x 16 ½“(6.35 x 41,91 cm)

Fabric L DF008-Pink

1/8 yd (0,12 m) 15 squares with a side of 2 ½“(6,35 cm), cut diagonally into two triangles

Fabric 0 DF009-Orange

3 ½ yd (3,2m) 31 stripes 2 ½“ (6,35 cm) across the fabric width 4 squares with a side of 6 ½“ (16,51 cm)

Fabrics A,F,I,N

Fabric A: DF 001-Yellow: 1 yd (0,92 m) Fabric F: DF 004-Orange: 1 yd (0,92cm) Fabric I: DF005-Yellow: 1 yd (0,92 cm) Fabric N: DF009-Navy: 1 yd (0,92 cm)

Backing 3 stripes 100“ (254 cm) across the fabric width, batting

Quilts with Coats Czecho – Sunshine

PRAGUE PATCHWORK MEETING NEWSLETTER No.35

©Prague Patchwork Meeting s.r.o., 2013 www.praguepatchworkmeeting.com info@praguepatchworkmeeting.com

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