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His Immensitude Yoda, Emperor of Minions and All He Surveys

SarahAnnSmith © 2019 His Immensitude Yoda, Emperor of Minions and All He Surveys
Inspired by the one and only Yoda.

For many years now I have been so lucky to be affiliated with Janome America. As a Janome Artisan for over 15 years I have been thrilled to be able to sew on some of the best machines in the world. When they asked if I would make something special for this year’s Dealer Convention (later this month) I was thrilled to say yes! I ended up making not one, not two, but THREE insanely densely quilted 20 x 20 inch quilts…in about seven weeks!

SarahAnnSmith © 2019 Yoda, Widgeon and Boo
The mischief makers: Yoda, Widgeon and Boo

Here’s what I wrote as my official “blurb” about Yoda’s quilt:

“At last my superiority, dignity and rank have been recognized appropriately!  The Chief Minion has done an acceptable job at capturing my likeness and the essence of my wonderfulness.  I have given her permission to scritch my chin.   She has also captured the spirit of my Beloved, the Dog, who is my one true love.  For this, the Chief Minion may pet my tummy.  The Usurper shall be dealt with appropriately for thinking that he stands a chance—he is so foolish that he does not understand an Emperor always outranks a King.  I shall seek out my Beloved for his love, comfort and as a comrade in fur.”  (Yoda is about 5 years old, Himalayan from the shelter.)

I started out with the idea of two quilts: Yoda and our pug as my muses, then for a local group challenge next year added a self-portrait. Luckily, I veered off and ditched the idea of the selfie and did out other cat, Boo. I’ll share the process for each of these quilts over the next few days just in time for the start of the convention.

SarahAnnSmith © 2019 Yoda
These are the two photos I took to use as my reference images.

The fusing process–as always using Mistyfuse which is BY FAR my favorite and only fusible!–began in early July. I was so worried about getting finished in time actually took Widgeon’s quilt with me while on a teaching trip, took my iron, fused stash and worked on the hotel room ironing board!

SarahAnnSmith © 2019 Yoda
This collage shows how I created a design for fur (lower left), then made a thermofax screen to print over the collaged fabric to add depth and complexity. I mixed a couple colors of cream–I’m actually going to teach a workshop on this and other techniques with paint at ProChemical and Dye in Fall River, Mass. in August 2020–hope you might join me! Anyway, if you look at the upper left and lower right photos you can see the difference between the painted and unpainted areas.
SarahAnnSmith © 2019 Yoda
There’s a reason why I call him His Immensitude…there’s a lot of meat (and flub) under that fur and dignity. Plus he makes me LAUGH!
SarahAnnSmith © 2019 Yoda
Quilting on His Immensitude on my Janome 9450–LOVE the new FMQ foot.
SarahAnnSmith © 2019 Yoda
For me, this is relatively few colors of thread! That golden circle that you see under his chin, by the say, is his St. Francis medallion and name tag. The pale white chalk lines will be the finished edge of the quilt.
SASmith ©2019 Yoda
A view of the quilting done on my Janome 9450. The design was inspired by a photo of ironwork on a door that is on my Designs board on Pinterest (follow me! Links at the top of every page on my site).
SarahAnnSmith © 2019 Yoda
Mr. DeMille, Emperor Yoda is ready for his close up….

Check back in a couple days for the story about Widgeon’s quilt, then a couple days after that for Boo’s quilt. See you soon!

7 Responses to “His Immensitude Yoda, Emperor of Minions and All He Surveys”

  1. Janice Says:

    I enjoyed seeing the exhibit of your quilts at the quilt show in Springfield yesterday. . . Beautiful work!!! Loved the tomatoes🍅🍅🍅

  2. Whiskers Says:

    Oh Yoda! You have captured my heart. Tummy tickles to you. (My Bushy used to sleep on his back, paws in the air, too.)

  3. Sarah Ann Smith Says:

    Here’s to Bushy and Yoda!

  4. Sarah Ann Smith Says:

    Thanks so much!

  5. Art and Quilting in Camden and Hope » Blog Archive » I Love, Therefore I Am (Widgeon’s quilt) Says:

    […] « His Immensitude Yoda, Emperor of Minions and All He Surveys […]

  6. Art and Quilting in Camden and Hope » Blog Archive » Boo, J.D. (for Juvenile Delinquent) Says:

    […] the blogpost about Yoda’s quilt: His Immensitude Yoda, Emperor of Minions and all He Surveys, click here for Yoda . To read the blogpost about Widgeon’s quilt: I Love, Therefore I Am, click here for Widgeon. […]

  7. Sarah Ann Smith Says:

    Thanks so much, Janice! I’m glad you got to see the quilts!