SIMPLY SOPHISTICATED DESIGN WITH A TASTE OF THE UNEXPECTED.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Line and Color Take Shape

jill....Color classes that I have taught bring a new challenge for many quilters.  Not only do fabricators have to deal with a lot of new terminology but they are asked to analyze quilts from different perspectives.  And you know, most quilts are made from love and sharing so it is hard to be critical...So if it's hard to deal with negative aspects,  I say start with what you like.  When most of us fall in love with a quilt it is largely determined by the colors.  Aside from  the emotional aspect, the actual success of the design has to do with the values, the light and darks of the fabrics.

I recently purchased a newly released book Quilting Line and Color by Yoshiko Jinzenji.  This book is amazing in its design and attention to detail.  I truly appreciate the author's use of white in large amounts and black in small details.  She uses color with such discretion that it is the interest (but does not over power the design).  One patchwork pattern she explores is cutting squares from printed fabric, selectively cutting for lines, shapes, and color.  I attempted a similar exploration,  changing a few elements, making it my own.

I started with a fat quarter from "Montage" by Michele D'Amore for Benartex.  It had many prints within the same piece of fabric.



I added some fabrics from "Soiree" collection for RJR.



Rather then reinvent the wheel, I decided to use a mosaic design, similar to Pickle Relish.



I cut some squares and rectangles and played with their arrangements.  I attempted to cut from unusual angles, the unpredictable and unrecognizable.

I tested the arrangement on a mostly white background.


I ended up choosing a mostly black background.



With a few adjustments....  not perfect but good enough!  Check back to see how it takes shape.

The winner of the pattern is Lynn.  Let us know which pattern and where we can send it.  We truly appreciate your comments.

Our question for this next week is :  Why do you take classes?  We'll again choose a winner from the commenters.  Stay warm and if you get snowed in, hope you have a happy project!  till next Tuesday...

10 comments:

  1. I can't believe I won - what is the best way to contact you?

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  2. An interesting color palette this time for your pickle relish ...
    I take classes 1)because I like the pattern, 2)to learn, as in color-value or curved piecing, and 3)to support the quilt shop.

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  3. Lynn, our email is modernquiltrelish@gmail.com, jill

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  4. I love what you did working from the Jinzenji book! My copy arrived a few days ago, but I haven't taken the time yet to sit and look at it carefully--it looks too wonderful to just flip through.

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  5. I can't wait to get a copy of that book - I love Jinzenji's work. Your piece is looking great too :)

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  6. Your question: I've never taken a class because my schedule is so unpredictable. This will change because must attend a class to learn how to use my mother's new sewing machine -- so I can then teach her. It's far different than the 1950 and 1970s models we've used. alternate email mlwright29 (at) hotmail (dot) com

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  7. Last class I took was at the Machine Quilting show in KC last May. I took the class to expand my machine quilting knowledge. I haven't used one single thing from that class. It was still fun to go.

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  8. I love how your piecing turned out. I usually take classes to learn a new skill. I've taken an applique class and a curved piecing class. Some day I'd love to take a class on color.

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  9. I take classes to learn a technique but also to learn from others. I've picked up some pretty neat tricks from other people in class. What a bonus!

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  10. The only thing I don't like about the book is the way you have to calculate the size of the pieces by adding seam allowances if you want to follow her patterns exactly. It is a beautiful book for inspiration though.

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