Debian, the trek begins

Posted April 1, 2007

I’ve been telling my friend and website administrator, the Spider, that I would make use of the debian logo he sent me more than a year ago. Debian is the open source software that is the basis for Ubuntu, and myriad other open source software systems. Here is the logo as I received it.
debiana.jpg

The smaller of two enlargements, getting parallel lines marked so that straight of grain can be maintained. There is one almost twice as large that will go on an ivory background and will have the debian of the logo added at the bottom to balance the design.
debianb.png

The red silk for the logo, itself, fresh from the washer and dryer.

debiancredsilk.png

The silk in a macro image. It appears to be hand spun and hand loomed but I do not know if that is true. Look at the interesting weave that shows before ironing. As I got it ironed I let it flow into my old leather armchair. Next time I looked that way Little Smoke Cat had made herself at home. I hung the silk on the coat hook on the workroom door.

debiandredsilk.png

The beginnings of placing the image on the batted quilt ground prior to beginning appliqué.

debiane.png

The placement of the mirror image, freezer paper, pattern on the ironed silk.

debianf.png

The rough cut pattern adhered to the silk. The pattern is mirror image and on the back.

debiang.png

The right side of the silk logo. It is still rough cut with the freezer paper on the back.

debianh.png

The pattern with almost all the freezer paper cut away. Bridges of paper remain to hold detached bits of silk to appliqué in place.

debiani.png

This is the point where I need to turn the extra under. In fact it will be pressed over the back of the freezer paper in as many places as possible. The silk is prone to raveling. It is too late this afternoon for me to decide whether to add fine fuse to the points and sharp turns to help control the raveling.

FineFuse is a tool that is a mixed blessing. It is probably the softest of the synthetic fuseables and no longer on the market. As soft as it is I question whether I want to use it with a fine straw needle and silk thread. So, I’m shipping this blog and thinking the situation over.

4 Comments so far

  1. Spider on April 1st, 2007

    Wonderful. Even it is in the first stage, it is wonderful. Debian is a free operating system for your computer. The term “free” in Debian’s context (or more generally in Open Source Software) is explained in greater details here.

    And the piece of silk is called “Matkaa silk” in India. As I don’t know much about silk, I asked our friend Google for help and here are a couple of links.

    Oh, and the timing couldn’t be better for this as Debian version 4.0 is due to be released in the next few weeks. I feel nice to get the bragging rights ///

  2. Sarah Ann Smith on April 2nd, 2007

    Thelma…I loved Fine Fuse too…. but have been converted to the more readily available Misty Fuse, which also doesn’t delaminate if you paint on it. I have samples of both and was surprised…I’ve always been a fusible snob and like ONLY the Fine Fuse because it was the softest when fused up, but I actually think the Misty is as good if not a bit better. Want me to send you a chunk to try? Just let me know…I think I have your snail mail in my address book,
    Cheers, Sarah

  3. Matt on April 2nd, 2007

    Debian is often about to be released in a few weeks.

    I’m a big fan of spirals and the Debian logo has long been a favorite.

  4. A Debian User on April 3rd, 2007

    Cool…what’s it going to be? Did I miss something? =)

    Here’s another interesting way to use the swirl, it’s kind of like a spiral galaxy:

    http://alphapapa.net/debian/wallpaper/dot2/

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