Side Show Circus Quilt : The ORIGINAL!

[CraftyMamaBee]

A few months back I had participated in the Mini Art Quilt Swap and had created this Circus Quilt, but after showing it off, I couldn't bear to part with it, especially after all the work I had put into it. So I decided I would keep it and finish it with time to show it off at the upcoming San Diego Quilt Show... I made a second Side Show quilt which is posted on the board and decided to just keep adding... Well I have to turn it in today between 1-6pm for the Quilt Show and literally just finished adding on the last pieces!

All the small fabric was remnants I bought from a local quilt store and the pictures are original Side Show Acts from the early 1900's. They were pictures printed onto fabric and then embellished with embroidery, beads, and even lightly colored in areas with colored pencil to accent hair coloring.


The Tattooed Lady and the Strong Man I found pictures of online and cut them out of felt. Once I attached them I "stuffed" certain areas such as the Lady's bra and the Man's arms!


The tent is 3-D at the top and at about 2am this morning I realized I needed to fill the negative space on the sides so I went online downloaded a Carnival font, cut it out of the remaining red felt and started stitching it on! I am finally going to go take a shower and feed the little girl so we can get it over to the entry location! So excited! This was my first quilted project bigger than a mug rug!

I hope you enjoy! Any comments are welcome! This wasn't my first choice but my partners... but after I started working on it, it grew on me ... well obviously it did because I kept it!

Ohh, and the label I made for the back... I soaked it in my cup of leftover coffee before embroidering it! I wanted a rustic feel!

[teachart]

I love it! Your quilt is really beautiful, all the extra details are just great. Who doesn't love a circus side show!!?

[CraftyMamaBee]

Thank you! After the show this weekend I think I might add a little more too it! I didn't care to much for the sideshow before but after actually researching it and learning about it... I love it!

[MareMare]

This is too awesome! Oh man, it rocks! I remember the other one too!

[wendiek]

All the details, the story behind it all, you made a study out of creating a side show circus quilt! Amazing!

Of course this rocks, needless to say 

[CraftyMamaBee]

Thanks Wendie and MareMare! The other was was nice, but this one just now has such a history and it's not that old!! Wendie the one you made me is proudly hanging above my daughters little wooden table and chairs! She loves it! I love getting to tell everyone the story behind it!

This quilt was really made of blood, sweat, and tears! I am so happy to be able to finally share it! Thanks so much! It makes me happy to know other people like it too! It's kind of like when you make something out of your comfort zone style it just comes to life that much more!

[alwaysinmyroom]

Just love how interesting it is---such a nice mix of techniques...the felt and the printed fabric go together nicely...and what a wonderful story it tells...and your work is outstanding...the little details really speak volumes...the sleeve on the dress is my favorite!

[LimeRiot]

This is super cool!! I really like all of the little details you added - especially those on the photo fabric. The circus tent on top is a great touch too!!

[waggonswest]

This is a great quilt.  I love all the details.

[MissingWillow]

I just found this, love it!