Fireworks over Dresden

Someone requested closeup photos of my Prairie Quilt Guild challenge quilt, "Fireworks over Dresden", so here they are!

This is what it is finished but not what I envisioned when I started. I will have an idea where I want to go with a project but it usually will take a few twists and turns along the way. This time, I wasn't going to buy any new fabric, thread, etc, ha. It didn't take too long and I was at the quilt shop. If I were doing this over again, I probably wouldn't use the white with gray streaks fabric. I think it just stands out too much.

 The challenge required us to make a Dresden Plate and use some of this fabric. Its actually a panel of strips but my photo shows them cut apart. We could add additional fabrics and design elements but needed to also stay within size limits.

 I decided to make fireworks because I thought it would be unique and because July 4th is my birthday! Here are a few photos of the fireworks which I stitched over and added crystals. Some of the threads are metallic which was a new skill to learn. I had some issues with tension.

 The name, "Fireworks over Dresden" doesn't just refer to the fireworks over Dresden Plates. There is a bridge in Dresden, Germany which looks somewhat like this. Its the Loschwitz Bridge and is sometimes called "das Blaues Wunder".

I created the reflection of the fireworks in the water below the bridge by cutting small snippets of the fabrics and fusing them down. I also included small snipped pieces of the metallic threads to create even more depth. The water is covered with black netting and machine quilted to keep everything in place.

Here's the back of the "Fireworks over Dresden" wall hanging. I like the back almost as much as the front! 

Until next time, Mayleen