The Small Art Quilt by Jane LaFazio

Things have been so busy around Casa Quintana the last few days, I thought I had better review the instructional video "The Small Art Quilt" by Jane La Fazio before I lose my thoughts. Just the other day, I was fortunate to win a copy of Jane La Fazio's "The Small Art Quilt" from a blog give-away on Lyric Kinard's bog which you can find on her website.

Jane LaFazio leads you in a journey of quick, intuitive quilts using wool felt, paint, torn edge applique, photos, and embellishments. She has really great sections on finishing small quilts and one on color and texture. This video is all about inspiration, but it gives thorough instructions so you aren't just sitting there saying "OK, and how did she get THAT effect." Since they are small quilts, you don't have to devote a lot of time or space in construction. Most of what she does is 8 1/2" x 11" and can be completed in a couple of days, not a couple of years...although I'm sure I could drag it out that long.

Her list of materials is minimalist so you don't have to have a lot of money to get started and you probably have most of the materials at hand already if you do traditional quilts. The directions are clear and easily followed. She goes over how to choose a good photograph for incorporation into quilts which I think would be a real boon for a lot of people.

The spontaneity is quite wonderful...but I keep on wondering how using un-ironed muslin backings work out...I'd think that the creases would show or could give you trouble in the long run. I'm sure that not ironing is just part of her "lets get in and do it" aspect , but I think I'll iron before hand just in case I do create something really wonderful.

I found this to be a fun, inspirational and well done video and well worth the money to purchase it. Running time is 69 minutes. You don't have to be an artist...or a quilter (yet) to dive in and get going...Jane will lead you along the way and make you feel comfortable while doing it.

One of the fun things is that at the end of the video there is a "trunk show" of all the finished pieces of what she was working on in the body of the video.

A couple of times I wish that the videographer would have zoomed in and showed her hands working on the piece...or a close up or overhead shot, particularly on her section on the smooshed ribbon embellishment as well as a closer shot showing the over-all piece. Sometimes the pieces remain flat on the table when a direct shot would have been better. One other time there was a voice off camera giving Jane a direction....not loud, but present none-the-less. these criticisms, however, are extremely picayune. None of the things make the video a "no-go", but they are areas which could be improved upon.

I highly recommend this video...for more experienced art quilters and art quilt-maker wannabees, I' m sure you can find things to help you explore or improve your pieces in this DVD.

Thanks Lyric for hosting the give-away, and thanks Jane for a really good lesson in small art quilt making.

Oh yeah...don't forget, small art quilts are also easier to store, so make one today!