Put value into your quilts

  The email basket has been full the last few days with questions about the watercolor and color wash quilts.  I have been asked for patterns, and instructions, and for how-to-dos.
    First, I do not have patterns for the water color quilts, or wall hangings.  Each one is unique, and I couldn't reproduce it if I tried.   Each 2'' square is different and will be used or placed differently in different quilts.   The fabrics often dictate the design that emerges.  I work from impressions of things I see, from photographs that I have saved, and from sketches.

  Second, for instructions please see here......Tutorial to Design a watercolor.  It is a page at the top of the blog.  I have links to several posts of questions.  I work through fabric selection---so important---and then on to a tutorial to design.   I talk about the technique of using fusible interfacing, of how I blend the fabrics, how to use the value viewer, or Ruby Beholder.  The entire page is a how-to-do this thing I do :)

  There are books, and photos, and other blogs to research and study, but the best way to learn is TO DO.    I learn best by doing something.  As much as I love to read, if I want to be proficient at something, I must try it for myself.    So I suggest, if you want to do a watercolor quilt/wall hanging, first try to improve your skills at using value by putting some value into your quilts.

   Here's a simple example from last year.  The block is the Bow Tie block.  Block size is 6 '' here.  I used all floral fabrics for the bow ties, and the background fabrics were mixed from white, ivory and tan, to grey, light blue, and light greens.    The lightest value blocks were grouped in the central area.  The layout progressed to medium value to darkest in the corners.
   That simple arrangement fools the eye and gives a color wash effect to the overall quilt.  Of course, I threw in a zinger by twisting a couple of blocks and making a circle too :)

   Pretty much the same thing for the orange peels.   Once all the blocks were made, I divided them into 3 stacks....light blocks, medium, and darkest ones.   Then guess what came next?
   I arranged the lightest blocks first on a diagonal through the center.  Then the medium value blocks blended into the darkest ones, which I placed on the edges and in 3 corners.    A traditional pattern with a colorwash effect......all because I paid attention to the value.




    One last example from my Year of Floral Quilts.  I should say, I am still in my year of florals......I may need to rename it to the decade of florals.  Oh, well.
  The barn raising layout is off set and then extends into the border on one side.  Note the dark center, and then the lighter ring......Value!

  All time favorite pattern for so many quilters is the log cabin block.  This is a log cabin variation, the half log cabin. This past post gives the details.  

  The small photo shows the value arrangement that I used in each block.
  So pick a favorite or traditional pattern add value into your fabric/color selection.  Cut fabrics, make the blocks.  Sort blocks into light, medium, dark values based on the overall effect of the fabrics used.  Play with layout to show case the blocks based on their value.  Stand back and be surprised.

  Maybe I can inspire you to try putting some value into your quilts.  It is more that just contrast.  It is light and dark, sunshine and shadow.  It is spark and movement, and energy and drama.  A small project is the perfect way to experiment, test your self, and to train your eye.  Please try :)
Happy stitching.

Last one of the year

 
   I found this photos of my Bow Tie blocks in my photos album from April.  April?  Nine months ago......let's just say before the stuff that happened.  
    I found the top  earlier this month on a hanger, awaiting its turn under the needle.   My goal for the month for this was to get it pinned and quilted.  And yesterday, it got binding done too!









   Bow-quet of Florals got bound yesterday.  I love a finish:)   I quilted it with open swirls, edge to edge.

   I am not sure if I showed this label yet.  I did this one a little differently.  Once the word part was printed off onto treated fabric, I simply added scraps to either side.  Rather than turn the edges under and hand stitch, I used muslin as a backing.   I sewed around all 4 sides and then slit the muslin to turn the label right side out.   Then I top stitched it onto the back.



  Time to shoot a few outside photos.  Please ignore my weeds.

 





Size is 48'' by 66'' ----perfect lap size to enjoy.











  To share:
    I ran across a really good, really simple color combination cheat sheet.     I know I hated the color wheel lessons, too. But they are soooo important!    I actually printed off the long list of color combos to keep handy.  You know, in case I have a no idea in mind day and need a color scheme.  Check it out.
  So the count down is near, as the new year arrives.  I am glad to get back to the usual routine again.  Happy stitching.   

Fabrics from friends

  Less progress made yesterday than expected.  It was slow moving from the stiffness and back pain......I went for a deep tissue massage to see if that would help.  Believe me, she found multiple spots that were so tight.  I'll be sore today I know but I sure slept better :)

Wanda at Exuberant Color sent me some very special fabrics to include in the circle quilt.  Three scraps of Charley Harper cardinals.....just perfect for me.  And the one on the left we refer to as "the man" fabric is so cute.  Rows of gents in hat and tails remind me of Charlie Chaplin.  And if you haven't seen Wanda's latest triangle quilt....go see.  It is spectacular.

  A wonderful mix of Finnish fabrics arrived last week from Marja.  I plan on doing a yin-yang style circle out of a couple of them.  Be sure to check out her latest tote bag on her blog.

The most beautiful card arrived stuffed with exciting brights for me to use.  These came from Mary at Hill Country.     The card is going up on my inspiration wall.  Soon I hope to translate it into a fabric creation  of some sort!

Thank you all.....fabric circle friends :))

The Bow Tie blocks finally got assembled. This is the layout I ended up liking and using.  I re-arranged these blocks multiple times in an attempt to find a different layout.  Nothing satisfied me except for a little colorwash effect.   It is on the back burner for now until I decide on borders.....multiple, simple, or not!

  I plan on stitching down some plumes and circles today.  Lots of catching up to do.
  Happy stitching.  

Digital and design

 My camera is kaput......actually it is the SD card that went bad.  It is of an age that is not replaceable.  Read that as no longer made.  I knew the time was coming but lived in denial that I couldn't nudge it along a while longer.  Just like this Windows 10 junk.....which I hate with its automatic updates and changes. I never know what I will find when I hit the computer each morning.  So these will be my last pictures until I make the trek to the store for a new one.  

  Bow tie blocks on the design wall.

  This was the arrangement from yesterday.
Most of the light values are clustered in the upper corner and darks at the bottom left.
I have a basic directional layout with a few circle sections thrown in.

Then I shifted the lights more to the center.  The medium value blocks were moved up and around to fill in the gaps.

I can see the differences but can't make up my mind.  I went back to look at the original layout.

  Then I tried a collage photo of all three to see it that helped me. Unfortunately, I can not alter the spacing enough to get equal sizes.   I am more confused now, I think.
I don't really have a clear vision in my head, so that tells me to give it a rest.   Then I will come back and probably take it all off the wall and start again.


  I can always work on a few circles.....the one consistent thing on my agenda.  They don't break, get outdated, have feet that move them about.  They don't have keys that stick or a space bar that locks up.  No, the circles patiently sit and wait for me to add them to my box of finished ones.  They don't cause me to fume, rather they tell my story in a way.   I like the calming influence of the circles.
Happy stitching!

Bow Ties on design wall

  Along with making circles, I have been putting together bow tie blocks.  One or two each day........They are taking over the design wall.  I am up to 50----6 '' blocks.
Don't worry, I know some are turned the wrong way....I will play with them when I finish another dozen or so.

 











   I took the same photo and turned it into black and white for  value comparison.  If I end up doing a true color wash effect, you can instantly see which blocks need to be switched around or moved.
  This little trick is helpful to remember for even a scrap quilt.  Do you want to concentrate the values, or spread them out?  The color can confuse the eye....but black and white won't lie.


   I had a question over the weekend from someone working with charm packs.  Her design was looking flat and had ''no life in it''.  From the photo I could tell she lacked dark values to show up the light and medium values.   To me, that is the biggest problem with charm packs, etc.......most of the values are medium and light with maybe one dark.  Even a 4 patch or 9 patch design benefits from a good dose of dark to make the lighter fabrics shine.
   I'm quilting on the Let's Book It re-make......almost to the edge, so I need to dig out bindings soon.    Tomorrow is clean up the sewing room day and put fabric back in the closet.  It looks like a tornado when through it after a cutting session for the bow ties!  Wish I could live in the chaos but not possible.  
Happy stitching.

Leaping February finishes

An extra day this year in February.....did you use it well?

 February finishes included two quilts for Habitat project at guild.....quilted and bound.  My Birds in the Air  quilt was quilted and bound also.  A small wall hanging for an early spring--we hope---for my Let's Book It project, along with one house block for guild.  I think I need another one of these.  And finally a diagram of  the free motion quilting I used on one of the habitat quilts.
  Ok, so maybe not a lot of finishes, but progress on other fronts filled in my leaping month.

 Circles.....I know you laugh at me because I am having fun and enjoying these.  Day 91 and more to come.

  I am adding to my Bow tie blocks on a semi-regular basis.  I have a stack of 12 to press and re-arrange on the design wall.  I am up to 37 or so with a couple of dozen to go.  Maybe by the end of March this one will begin to come together.











 

On the watercolor front.......  the wall hanging has gone from lost and forgotten to sewn, bordered and quilted---almost done.
   I used a 1 1/2'' strip of a tone on tone purple for the inner border.  The darkness made all the purple in this piece come forward.  I also tried about 6 or 7 fabrics for the final border.....nothing worked.  It was either too light, too dark,  or so distracting.







 I finally pulled out this piece that is slightly muted---a large print of butterfly wings.  I loved the effect and went with it for the outer border.  Quilting is done and now for some binding.  A sure finish for March.





March plans:
I have a jump start on my Let's Book It project for March....the re-cycled/ re-claimed/ too ugly as originally started  one.   Mainly quilting to be done.
More circles.
More bow tie blocks....and maybe get to the layout.
Finish the watercolor with binding and sleeve.
Stitch up the table runner pieces I found in the stack under the table......how do these things get away from me?  Do they just run away and hide, like play hide and seek?   Probably, I just get side-tracked---but I am blaming the fabric  joker who drops in and messes with my mind.

That's my month....past and future.  Enjoy yours, and happy stitching.

Friday Finds

 This week at quilt guild, our President asked for 2 house blocks next month....any size or variation.  I knew I had this one to try.  It is from Vroomans Quilts....click here for Sharon's tutorial. 
 This is an 8 1/2'' by 10 1/2'' unfinished block.  I know I have shared this one before.....but I made this one :)   Thanks  again, Sharon for sharing this one.









  After sharing a few ideas for borders last week, I ran across this.
More border ideas from Pat Speth in Nickel Quilts.   I don't have this book.....but I am adding it to my want list.

From Fluffy Sheep Quilting

  We all know how to make bow tie blocks.....but here's a really cute variation that used a nine patch in the make up.  Since I am doing a daily--almost daily---bow tie block, this naturally caught my eye.   Visit Fluffy Sheep Quilting to see some details. 







One cute, little block can turn into a great Valentine's Day quilt.   See it at Temecula Quilt Company.  Wish I had found this sooner....maybe next year?



That's it for the week.  As always, please visit and pin from the original source.  That helps keep me honest and other bloggers happy :)  Give a hug and a kiss to someone sweet.  Go enjoy some chocolate.   Happy stitching.

Slow week

  Frosty leaves and icy branches for this week......I'm not leaving the house until it gets above freezing, which might be this afternoon.
 
  Making circles has been entertaining.  I like making them and then finding a good match for the background.  High contrast for some and very muted for others.



  I realized how poor my selection of greens is.....a lot of solids and a few ugly ones, too.  So I decided to straighten up the bin of black and white fabrics.  At the bottom of the bin I found a small scrap of fabric that had to become a circle.

   It's another memory one.  I was telling my daughter about the circles and that I made one for her yesterday.  Immediately, she knew what fabric I used. "Betty Boop"!!  Yep, a bit of leftover fabric from lounge pants  that I made for her when she went to college.   I love her expression and those eyes.
It makes me smile.

  I'm a couple of days behind on the bow ties blocks.....but here's my collection so far.  I need to spend a bit of time cutting up some more pieces.  I am just pinning them up as I go and will figure out the design when I have a bigger selection.


  One Habitat quilt is bound and the second needs to be quilted....today's task is to get the backing pieced.   I got side-tracked this week on the annual tax prep.....ugh!  So I haven't gotten far on anything.  Just a slow week.  

Waiting on my muse

  I am in a lull.  Where did that muse of mine disappear to?    I usually hear her whispering my ear, giving me an idea, or direction to follow.  Yet, things are quiet and silent right now. So, I have not picked a new  project...large or small.  Instead I have added to my almost  daily routine.


The addictive circles continue.  Seriously, I do find them addictive like eating M and Ms, or potato chips.   I have a very eclectic mix of fabrics....some for color, some for print, some for memories.  Setting them together will be a challenge.










   Since I do a circle a day, why not add a block a day to the routine.     I only had a 3 1/2'' strip of this fabric left.  The easiest block I could come up with was a bow tie.   Now the bow tie is added to the routine.    There are a lot of design options for this block......I will just see where it takes me.






  Mainly I have been quilting those projects in waiting.  Very large,  open meandering for this Habitat quilt for our guild.  Ruth made the top, and I will just finish it up.  This one now needs binding fabric.

  Binding was added to the Birds in the Air.  Just a label to add  and then I will share its finish.


 We had oven an inch of rain yesterday.....I see robins every where in the front yard.  All those sweet worms must make a good breakfast for them.  That means spring is not far behind.   Happy stitching.  

Friday finds....January blocks

  Looking around I think there are two blocks that seem to be everywhere.  Is it the year of the circle or the bow tie?   I am doing the circle dance.....and the bow tie is on my list for this year's projects.  So maybe I am just noticing  things I like.

Val at Quiltyfolk blog is hosting the Quilty 365 challenge for the circles you see dancing all over the place.   These are a few of mine....I have added a half circle for a staggered layout.   And i will be introducing a smaller size of circle too...I think.
 Be sure to visit the linky party and see all the variations.   She also has a page of details on her blog.









Bow Ties board on Pinterest....click here.   I have a good collection of layout ideas....X and O, blended, on-point, even a zig-zag one! Scrappy ones, ones in batiks, artistic ones. Surely one is calling to you.
This quilt now belongs to Remy....he needed a big boy quilt.

Over at Marcia's Crafty Sewing I saw the mini bow tie challenge.  366 days this year and you make a mini bow tie each day.  Or maybe for 6 months you make any size yo want?  If that is the case, check out the great tutorial at Dora Quilts and she includes a size chart to help!

I am considering this.....lol.







And the cutest small project I saw this week  was at Rogue Quilter blog!  Since winter has finally arrived for most of us, a few snow balls seemed perfect to match the temps!  Janet enhanced the tree with extra stitches  and gave such personality to Mr. Snowman.   I don't think I will be in trouble for snatching her photo.  Just in case....go visit her for the details.





Here's a snowman image if you should happen to need one....hint, hint!

Update:  Janet shared the link for the free pattern  for ''Snowball'' by Kathi Campbell for Heart to Hand....click here it. 


And with that I will call it a wrap.  Please visit the original source for pinning by following the links provided.

Enjoy....happy stitching.

Friday Finds--May 8

   A couple of quilts full of inspiration were found this week.  One solved a problem for me, and the other filled my head with ideas!

From Wedding Dress Blues

 Remember my delimma with the rail fence 2+4 blocks that were too washed out in my design?  See it here.   Well, this "pin" gave me an answer as too what to do with those extra blocks that were not working.  I can use them later in a scrappy one like this!   Or at least do a small version.

 Full instructions at Wedding 

Dress Blues.    

A good tutorial is given with various sizes and color schemes....worth the pin!

From Timna Tarr

  After seeing this quilt, I think  there is another Bow Tie project in my future!  Visit Timna Tarr for her inspiration  for this bow tie.  She also did a multi-color version that is a knock out.   I love how she used that negative space of white to create interest/light source/focal point.  

   All reds, or using batiks, all blues, or ocean colors......I think this modern setting of bow tie blocks has lots of inspiration potential.  

As always....please visit the highlighted link for pinning to get the details.  

  Happy Mother's Day wishes early.....may you get breakfast in bed, a basket of fabric and thread, and a lot of love.  Happy stitching.  

More photo practice

  Changes coming to the sewing space, so it is a total disaster.  It has been a long couple of days in there.  I will share the new arrangement  later this week.
     I did get outside for just a while ---needed some fresh air and to take some more photos  for practice.

    This time I used the 3-D bow tie quilt.  It is very scrappy.  So first, it is laid out on the lawn.  I am happy with the angle shot.
     Then I threw it over the stone wall by the workshop.  I liked this shot just for the contrast in the angles of the quilt blocks against the stone wall.

  Then  around the side of the shop with a little more sun.....I love this view.  It makes me want to have a picnic basket lunch out here.












   Final shot....a close up of a corner.  And a closer look at the variety of quilting stitches I used in the centers.  This is the part I need to work on.....getting better photos of the quilting.
   I took about 25 shots and these are the 4 I liked best.  So lesson learned:   lots and lots of photos  improve my chances of getting a good one  out of the bunch.

   The Bloggers' Quilt Festival for Fall is coming up in October.....think about entering.  Happy stitching.
   

Using negative space

    I mean we all need or want more space.  But exactly....What is negative space?   Think in-between space.  The space that fills in and around applique for instance.  The applique would be the positive space and the background would be the negative space.   We need both positive and negative space.  And as a quilter, negative space could be filled with quilting,  or it could be the sashing between the blocks.  Or it could be a  space that unifies and makes the color jump out.

  These 2 doll quilts--I told you I was inspired by them--are great examples of negative space of white.  The ticker tape quilt, from a Mrs. Claus at HGTV Message Board for South Carolina, has a lots of negative white space in the background and in the ticker tape bits of fabric she selected.  It works so wonderfully because the eye is fooled and sees the bright colors instead of  only seeing the bits of fabric sewn down.
Note:  Ticker tape quilt is done raw-edge applique style.  The background is one piece.  The top is layered with the batting and backing.  Then the selected fabrics are arranged and stitched down with a straight stitch or a zig-zag stitch through all three layers.
  And the  little bow tie quilt ...wow.  What a great idea to do bow ties in pinks.  Mrs. Claus in Iowa created a precious quilt that lets the bow ties take center stage on the white background of negative space.
 

 So where would I find negative space in a watercolor quilt?   I mean the entire project is filled with fabric that is loaded with color and prints with lots of values.  There is no negative space........or is there?
   I was sorting through my cut squares  and realized that I had a lot of dark squares with negative space.  Why?  They tend to be harder to place in a watercolor quilt when you are trying to blend square to square.  I needed to figure out how to reduce their presence in my stash.



 This is in the beginning stage.  I decided to use the squares with all the black negative space  to create a dark--very dark--area at the base of this banner.  And since black to black is boring, I am trying to cluster like color edge to like color edge and create very large blooms here.

This close up photo shows what I mean better than the words.  Once this is sewn and finished the large flowers should pop out against the negative space of the black.

   Fabric selection is probably the hardest part of beginning a watercolor quilt.  You need fabrics with different values and different scale prints.  Here are 2 examples of fabric with negative space of black that I have used in this project.
  So what I have just said and shown about the black negative space is also true for the fabrics with the light or white negative space.   But that will have to wait until I reach that point in this project.

Report on the star struck variation:  I cleaned off a mini-bolt of fabric--yea, stash reduction--- for the sashings and binding.  The top is together and ready to be batted and quilted.   Just in time too.  I heard today that Amanda got a very nice job promotion this week.  This quilt was promised to her and Barry--OK,  to Barry really because he begged---for their next "life event".   I think the promotion qualifies and I think  the quilt  will be called "Life's Events".
Have a very special and blessed Easter weekend.  Happy stitching.