“Trash” Quilts

Quilts have evolved a long way from great-grandmother’s day, when mostly they were made as bed coverings, lap throws, and pillows.  Nowadays so many are used as wall hangings and incorporate multiple materials and as such often are called mixed media quilts.

Image: sxc.hu

Recently I was reading about Amy Orr, a mixed media artist, who uses many types of materials most people would consider junk – twist ties, credit cards, metal x-ray markers, glass beads of various types, paper automobile air fresheners, plastic hair clips, sequins, plastic plant fragments, window glass fragments and….chicken bones.

Study some of her work utilizing “trash” or “found objects” to see an amazing blend of color and designs.  You may get ideas for utilizing trash around your home for your mixed media art quilts.

(Incidentally, there is an interesting interview with Amy in the May/June 2008 issue of Cloth Paper Scissors.)