Meryl Ruth
Orchids Framed by Winter Window, A Fabric Collage Quilt, 2023
Sheer organza and cotton fabrics, multi-colored metallic and cotton thread, fabric paint, batting 35″ x 27″
Multiple layers of sheer organza and cotton fabric comprise this raw edge collage quilt with selective airbrushing. The faux-wood cotton borders of the quilt frame the bright contrast of cold, fractured light through icicles and glass, illuminating the warmth and delicacy of the indoor orchids.
Meryl Ruth
Night Owl Tea, A Fiber Teapot, 2023
All Thread Teapot, Owl is Merino Wool, Glass Eyes 14″ H x 16″ L x 4.5″ W
Machine embroidered leaf designs created from water soluble fabric, multicolored threads, metallic foil confetti, Angelina fibers. Leaves sculpted into teapot using fabric sculpting medium. Teapot hollow & light. Atop teapot is a needle felted owl crafted from Merino wool, glass eyes and clay beak.
Meryl Ruth
Tweet Tea, A Fiber Teapot, 2022
Embroidery thread, tulle, wool, water soluble stabilizer H 9″ x L 8.25″ x W 5″
This teapot is an all-machine, embroidery thread hollow vessel sculpted using fabric sculpting medium. The hummingbird atop the teapot lid is needle-felted with tulle wings that have also been embroidered.
Meryl Ruth
Making a Splash, A Fabric Collage Quilt, 2023
Multi-colored and sheer fabrics, thread, fabric paints, batting 33.25" x 27" x 1"
I wanted to capture the vibrancy of life in this small boy’s passion for puddles. Raw edge cotton and sheer organza fabrics adhered to a white cotton backing. Airbrushed fabric paints for face, hands. Machine embroidered sunflowers, ferns. Machine quilted using the free-motion quilting technique.
Meryl Ruth
Winter’s Tea, A Fiber Teapot, 2022
Embroidery Thread, Fabric Paint, Cubic Zirconia 10" x 7" x 5"
This teapot is constructed exclusively from multicolored embroidery thread and fabric sculpting medium. Fabric paints were airbrushed onto this teapot for shadow variation; finally Cubic Zirconia gems were strategically glued in place on the teapot.
Meryl Ruth
Willa and Brooks, A Fabric Collage Quilt, 2022
Fabric collage using multi-colored and patterned cotton fabrics, airbrushing using fabric paints, machine quilted using multi-colored thread. 27.5" x 30" x .5"
I created this collage using cut fabrics, no underlying photo. Willa’s hair for example is a series of very thin fabric strips layered meticulously atop one another. I used airbrushed fabric paint to enhance the faces of the children. It is machine quilted using various colored threads.
Meryl Ruth
Proud as a Teapot, A Fiber Teapot, 2021
Thread, gold leaf, fabric sculpting medium 10.5" x 6.5" x 4"
Always interested in experimenting with various media, I created this fiber teapot by machine embroidering varied colored ostrich feathers on water soluble stabilizer. A fabric sculpting medium was used to form the individual stand-alone thread feathers into a hollow teapot lined with gold leaf.
Meryl Ruth
Three Orchid Blossoms, An Art Quilt, 2021
Various multi-colored fabrics and threads including metallic threads, wool batting, airbrushed fabric paints 24" x 26" x 1"
This fabric collage quilt was created from small bits of fabric laid out and arranged then attached to white cotton fabric. I then air-brushed fabric paint where necessary to enhance the design. I quilted this piece using multi-colored threads on a sewing machine, employing the free-motion technique.
Meryl Ruth
Possibili-tea, A Mixed Media Teapot, 2020
Stoneware clay, glazes, decals, Merino wool, paper clay, thread, wire 15” x 7.5” x 4.5”
Uplifting, mythical creature alighting on teapot handle suggesting an ability to quickly arise. Needle-felted leopard with paper-clay female face, tulle butterfly wings are enhanced with free-motion thread painting. Multiple-fired, stoneware teapot, pulled handle, glazed, original ceramic decals.
Meryl Ruth
You-knit-Tea, A Fiber Teapot, 2018
Foss shape fabric, original designed cotton fabric, Merino wool, thread, beads, fiber fill, fabric paint 24” x 13.5” x 7”
You-knit-tea, A Fiber Teapot, is part of a series I am creating called “The Me Too Series”. The movement is an attempt to demonstrate the widespread prevalence of sexual assault and harassment especially in the workplace, to shed light on this topic and to eradicate its presence. As a working woman, mother and grandmother I am strongly supportive of this cause. You-knit-tea depicts the very familiar World War II icon Rosie the Riveter, a familiar symbol of women in unity, strength, feminism and economic power. Instead of using the words “We Can Do It” which are the words on the World War II poster, for the front panel of this teapot I chose the words “Me Too”, modernizing the familiar symbol. The back panel has the original wording but backwards for artistic diversity. This teapot is created from original pattern pieces, the armature made entirely from Foss Shape, a felt-like fabric that once heated is extremely strong and hardened. Over this armature I wove, quilted and sewed original fabrics, airbrushed coloration and added beading. The lid and feet are created from wet felted Merino wool.
