Daily Blog

  1

fShare

Tweet

Using her Sequoia pattern, Pam Raby made a red version of her Sequoia quilt and used a print instead of a solid to see how different the same quilt can be using different fabrics. She also incorporated more of her triangle-in-a-square blocks to pump up the border.

Learn From Pam in Show 2703.

Original Photo: Mary Kay Davis

  5

fShare

Tweet

We continue our selection of quilts exhibited in 2019 at the Houston International Quilt Festival as part of their 45th Anniversary, the Sapphire Anniversary. The Sapphire Celebration exhibit is described as:

"Quilters have long used the color blue to symbolize trust, loyalty, wisdom, confidence, intelligence, faith, truth, and heaven. Sapphire is also the chosen gem to celebrate 45th anniversaries—which International Quilt Festival is doing this year (2019)! These new and antique blue and white quilts will be suspended from the ceiling in a spectacular and unforgettable display."

To be a part of the exhibit, quilts had to fit the following criteria:

• Entries may be Traditional, Modern or Art.
• Entries must have been made between 1974 and 2019.
• The minimum size is 50” x 50”

  9

fShare

Tweet

Using repetitive squares and arrows as the quilting design, California Star by Cindy Stohn is, "influenced by the geometry and symmetry prevalent in traditional native weavings." Cindy made the quilt as a way to honor the quiltmakers and weavers that have influenced her and many others.

California Star by Cindy Stohn of Chandler, Arizona was featured in the Pieced, Large category at Houston 2019.

  1

fShare

Tweet

Third time's the charm for Scavenger Hunt #3!

WIN A PERSONALIZED AUTOGRAPHED COPY OF

Lizzy Albright and the Attic Window (written by Ricky Tims and Kat Bowser)

To celebrate the launch of the long-awaited Lizzy Albright and the Attic Window, there will be weekly drawings to win a personalized autographed copy of a first edition.

It only takes about five minutes to do the Scavenger Hunt. Just search the links and find the answers. Get your children involved, let them search too.

Answers must be correct in order to have a chance to win. No purchase necessary.

Click here to go on Scavenger Hunt #3. - The drawing is Monday, August 10, 2020.

  5

fShare

Tweet

We need to hear from you! Will you buy this bundle?

Alex is gearing up for her next Mystery Quilt Along on Facebook / YouTube Live. She has selected the gorgeous Sweet 16 Fabric Line from Laundry Basket Quilts to use in her Mystery Quilt, and she is using baskets as the motif.

But we need your help to know how many bundles to purchase for our store. Take our one-question survey and tell us if you plan to purchase the project bundle from us - no strings attached. 

No personal information is required to complete the survey, and your submission does not obligate you to purchase the bundle. 

  4

fShare

Tweet

It's time to take your Sawtooth Star Blocks to a higher level of creativity. Alex has tips on using "Star Bellies" and the basics of foundation paper piecing. Think of it as Foundation Paper Piecing 101. Alex is LIVE August 5, 2020 at 10am PST, 1pm EST, and 6pm London time. All classes are recorded for later viewing, but chatting on the LIVEs is really fun.

  7

fShare

Tweet

Three Easy Steps To Save This Lesson As A Pdf:
-Make sure you are logged in.
-Click on the small triangle next to the tool wheel in the upper right hand corner of the page (you'll find it above the Like button).
-Select the pdf. option. Wait a few minutes. It's a large file due to the number of images.
-Your file should appear with the title of the lesson.

While strolling through a quilt show, what is it that makes some quilts just seem to jump out and grab your attention? What is the secret ingredient the artist uses to effectively make you stop to notice their quilt over all of its neighbors? Emphasis is a technique used by artists to shift the viewers attention to what the artist finds to be the most important. Emphasis is one of those magic ingredients that can make your work stand out from the crowd.

Untitled by Lynn Czaban. Copyright free photography from Library of Congress Original 1936. (Image Road2CA)

In the case of Untitled by Lynn Czaban, what is the first thing you are immediately drawn to when viewing the quilt? Is it the background pattern or the monochromatic color plan? NO, it is the direct gaze of the man looking out at you, the viewer. Lynn purposefully has her subject front and center, because she wants you to notice him. He is what is important. The background is the supporting actor to the lead in this play.

So what are the tricks for creating emphasis when it comes to your quilt? Below are six ways you can make your quilt have visual impact when it comes to standing out from the crowd. But remember, your strongest focal point (e.g. the man) should have the strongest weight visually. For example, if you had a crowd of men scattered across the quilt, the emphasis on this man would not necessarily be as strong.

Isolate - Separate your subject from others by type or area of space.
Lead - Invisible lines direct the viewer to one specific point.
Contrast - Use color temperature or value to make a pop.
Size - Make your subject bigger.
Unusual - One thing is not like the others in the scene.
Location - Bring the subject up front, but slightly off center, to add more interest.

Now that you understand the ways that you can create emphasis, let's look at some excellent examples of quilts featuring emphasis:

Isolate - Separate your subject from others by type or area of space.

 

  Race To The Summit by Brigitte Villeneuve

Flower Power by Maria Vuilleumier (Image patCHquilt).

Lead - Invisible lines direct the viewer to one specific point.

 
Missouri Barn by LeAnn Hileman (Image Road2CA) {Right} ; Daddy, hold my hand by Heidi Proffetty (Show 2406). [Image TheQuiltShow] {Left}

Contrast - Use color temperature or value to make a pop.

 
Ohio Snowball by Christine Perrigo. (Image Road2CA)

 
Unusual - One thing is not like the others in the scene.

 

My Hundertwasser by Brigitte Rossetti (Image patCHquilt) {Left} ; Pineapple Pleasures by Kaye Kohler (Image TheQuiltShow.com) {Right}

Size - Make your subject larger.

Say Something by Becky Goldsmith. (Show 611, Show 1704, Show 2401) [Image TheQuiltShow.com] ; Stargazer Splendor by Andrea Brokenshire (Show 1706) [Image Road2CA]

Location - Bring the subject up front, but slightly off center, to add more interest

Seasoned With Time by Karlyn Bue Lohrenz (image TheQuiltShow.com)

On Thin Ice by Deb Crine. (Image AQS)
 

Click here for more topics related to The Art of Quilt Design program

  11

fShare

Tweet

Blue Ice on Denali by Karen Lambdin and Vickie Owen features a flurry of feathered star variations, some of which we've never seen before, and some truly amazing quilting, including a flurry of snowflake designs.

Blue Ice on Denali by Karen Lambdin of San Antonio, Texas, with Vickie Owen, was featured in the Pieced, Large category at Houston 2019.

  9

fShare

Tweet

Alex has always loved stars and the Sawtooth star is a favorite. Learn how to make the Sawtooth Star Quilt Block and how to decide on colors. LIVE starts today at 10am PST, 1pm EST, and 6pm London Time. Watch below the first gif.