0

Follow along with Jen from Shabby Fabrics in this tutorial to learn how to make 'X' and 'O' blocks for their Hugs and Kisses Valentine's Day table runner! Great for someone just learning to quilt or someone who needs a great gift for their Valentine.

Click here for .pdf file.

  0

An update has been made to the Month 1 pattern of the TQS BOM 2017: The Halo Medallion Quilt. The only change was to Page 4 in the Month 2: Setting the Star on point; Making Half-Square Triangles section of the fabric requirements.

Star Members may want to reprint this page to keep your pattern up to date.

If you have any questions while working on the quilt, check the Forum and get answers from other TQS members working on the project.

Click here to go to FORUM.

 
 
 

  42

Kinds of Lines
(Image courtesy of Ann Gibson at Canyon Creek Elementary School)

We begin our Design to Quilt Program with the Elements of Design. Elements of design include line, shape, form, texture, space, color, value. Think of these terms as the ingredients in your kitchen. Let's use scrambled eggs as an example. On their own scrambled eggs are tasty, but when you add other ingredients such as butter, salt and pepper, the dish has more depth of flavor and interest. The same principle holds true for your quilt work. You as the designer should be striving to create a piece that holds the viewers interest by incorporating all, if not most, of the elements.

Let's begin with Line. As in the example above, lines can be thick, thin, straight, wavy, curved, tapering or uneven. Lines can create texture, send our eyes moving in a certain direction, create mood, gesture or outline. When it comes to quilting, the simplest line can be the stitches that hold together the top, batting and backing. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gently waving lines

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lines in an orderly formation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Complex lines of feathers, wreaths, twirls

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

But Line can be so much more. Artist Leni Levenson Wiener (Show 1413) shares her apporach to line when it comes to capturing a viewers interest in a quilt.

Line
by Leni Levenson Wiener

In art, line can refer to several different ideas. Line can be an actual mark on the surface of the work; it can define or outline shapes or represent the negative spaces between shapes. Line can be literal or implied; either a visual path the viewer takes through your composition or a connection by an invisible thread from values, shapes or colors that repeat to form a pattern and travel across the surface of your artwork. Line can also be the direction of the shapes and elements you use that create gesture and movement in your composition. 

Line as visual path

Often we hear the expression “to draw the eye in” which refers to the visual path used to guide the viewer through an artwork or to insure the focal point is the most important aspect of the composition. This visual path can be clearly depicted or it can be implied, the eye gently taken along from one point to another by an actual or suggested line. This path can run from the front of the composition to the back, up and down, from side to side, or around in a circular or radiating fashion.

Pinebrook illustrates two principles of line. One is the literal path of the water that leads the eye into the composition, but line is also at play with the trees; the vertical lines they create and the spaces between them are a strong visual element as they are rhythmic and repetitive.  (Pinebrook)

Line in the composition can be thick or thinHorizontal lines imply a static composition where no movement is present. Vertical lines emphasize height and draw the eye up into the composition, while diagonal lines bring energy and movement to the work. Radial lines are diagonals that converge and draw the eye to the point from which the lines emanate, while circular lines draw the eye around the work and back again.

(Pinebrook) image courtesy of Leni L. Wiener

In Headed Home, the converging radiating lines both draw the eye into the center of the composition, but because they are diagonal, they create energy and the perception of movement towards the perspective point on the horizon. In Lizard, it is the fabric used for the sky which creates the repeating circular lines, making an otherwise static composition alive with movement.

(Headed Home and Lizard courtesy of Leni L. Wiener)

Repetition

In Rush, because the silhouetted figures are repeated and dispersed against a contrasting background, they create a pattern; but repetition does not mean the shapes and lines themselves need to be identical, they need only suggest each other. Either way, the resulting pattern serves to create a feeling of rhythmic movement across the surface of the work. Note also how little bits of red and blue are strategically placed, which subtly helps pull the viewer to different points around the composition--the suggestion of an invisible, or implied line. Repetition not only enlivens the surface of the work, it serves as a unifying element. 

(Rush) image provided by Leni L. Wiener    

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Line as gesture

As gesture is simply the movement of the human body that expresses an idea, an opinion, or an emotion, line used in figurative art becomes a powerful tool with which to communicate with a viewer. Body language; the tilt of the head, the position of hands, the implied movement of arms can all speak clearly to the viewer. In The Endless Dance of the Ponytail, the placement and the resulting line of the arms suggest movement, like a dancer, about to reach the peak of momentum. Because the lines of the arms are diagonal, they inherently exhibit more movement than they would if they were in a horizontal or vertical position.  The dynamic tension created by the opened space left between the hands becomes the focal point of the work, drawing the viewer up to the peak of movement. Were the hands closed, the closed line would have drawn the eye around the surface and back again and would have cost some of the perceived energy.

And you thought lines only took you from point A to point B!
 

 

 

 

 

 


(The Endless Dance of the Ponytail) Image by Gregory Case Photography

More ideas for adding interest with Lines:

     
A radial line                                                                                     An orderly line


An implied line

Practice Exercise: Create Your Own Graphic Line Drawing by Deep Space Sparkle

(Images courtesy of Deep Space Sparkle)


Option 1:
On a sheet of plain paper, draw two straight lines across the paper and two lines down. Using your drawing tools of choice, fill in each area with a design. Add color or not. The choice is yours. When you have completed the drawing, add strips of dark construction paper to make the image more graphic.

Option 2:
Make a quilt sandwich with your top fabric being a solid color. Stitch out the lines on the sandwich. Fill in each area with some free motion designs. Don't worry about them not being perfect, this is just a practice piece.

Click here for more topics related to the Design to Quilt program.

  7

Design to Quilt is a Free year-long quilt-focused art program
designed to help you find the artist within by:

  • Expanding your skills
  • Exploring your creative side
  • Improving your quilt compositions

Do you want to improve your understanding of color and not always feel the need to use a pre-made kit? Would you like to create original work that has real impact on viewers? Do you feel intimidated by a formal art class? Do you prefer to work at your own pace?

If you said yes, to any one of these questions, then you are the reason we created this program. Join TQS for a year of learning, fun, and exploration as we guide you through the basics of Elements and Principles of Design and a whole host of other topics centered on the quilting art form.

                                                                                                                               (Apples by Valentina Maximova)     

    

  • Learn how leading quilt artists use various techniques in their own work.               
  • Weekly topics will include images for better understanding.
  • Topical practice worksheets offer you the chance to put into practice what you have learned.
  • Work at your own pace while learning the fundamentals.

Topics will appear in the Monday Newsletter/Blog each week. If you are already a registered Free or Star member you should be receiving the newsletter; if not, you may join the program at any time, by subscribing to the Newsletter

Are you new to TQS and don't get our newsletter? This class will appear in our normal newsletter every Monday. If you get our newsletter already you don't need to sign up again. It is the same newsletter.  

 

Click here for more topics related to the Design to Quilt program.

  1

The Kona Cotton Color of the Year for 2016 was "highlight," just like your favorite school marker. This special exhibit at Road to California featured quilts from famous makers "highlighting" the 2016 choice.

Click to play this Smilebox slideshow

 

  1

Enjoy a visit to the Fly Me to the Moon exhibit at Road to California 2017. TQS was able to snap a few photos of the over 170 quilts hung at the show. We also get the latest update about the exhibit from its curator, Susanne M. Jones.

  2

This bright little beauty was created using Victoria's Double Wedding Ring block technique.

Star Members can watch Victoria in Show 2002: Look Out! Double Rings and Curves Ahead.

MiniDoubleWeddingRingbyVictoriaFindlayWolfe - 36 Pieces Non-Rotating

MiniDoubleWeddingRingbyVictoriaFindlayWolfe - 100 Pieces Non-Rotating

MiniDoubleWeddingRingbyVictoriaFindlayWolfe - 289 Pieces Non-Rotating

MiniDoubleWeddingRingbyVictoriaFindlayWolfe - 36 Pieces Rotating

MiniDoubleWeddingRingbyVictoriaFindlayWolfe - 100 Pieces Rotating

MiniDoubleWeddingRingbyVictoriaFindlayWolfe - 289 Pieces Rotating

Original Photo: Mary Kay Davis

  2

This bright little beauty was created using Victoria's Double Wedding Ring block technique.

Star Members can watch Victoria in Show 2002: Look Out! Double Rings and Curves Ahead.

Original Photo: Mary Kay Davis

  0

Nothing will make you smile more than these "critter" quilts on display at Road to California. You'll see everything from gorillas and cows to cats and dinosaurs.

Click to play this Smilebox slideshow

 

  1

A Summer's Day was created by Victoria and quilted by Debby Rittenbaugh in 2014. It features her trademark Double Wedding Ring block and brightly colored scraps of fabric.

Star Members can learn more about Victoria and Double Wedding Rings in Show 2002: Look Out! Double Rings and Curves Ahead.

ASummersDaybyVictoriaFindlayWolfe - 36 Pieces Non-Rotating

ASummersDaybyVictoriaFindlayWolfe - 100 Pieces Non-Rotating

ASummersDaybyVictoriaFindlayWolfe - 289 Pieces Non-Rotating

ASummersDaybyVictoriaFindlayWolfe - 36 Pieces Rotating

ASummersDaybyVictoriaFindlayWolfe - 100 Pieces Rotating

ASummersDaybyVictoriaFindlayWolfe - 289 Pieces Rotating

Original Photo: Mary Kay Davis