Last month my art quilt group, Quilt Lab at Gotham Quilts, had a great challenge. This one really excited me. We were to pick something, and try it three ways. It could be anything.
I chose to explore this log cabin variation further. I was really excited about my leftover quilt, and I wanted to see if the pattern would be as successful with some adjustments.
This is my first piece in this series.
You can read more about it here. I think what made this piece so successful was the gradient effect. Some blocks get lighter as they go out from the center, and others get darker.
For my second piece I decided to work with this Island Batik strip set of Crystal Sea, along with this piece of orange yardage. I received both as part of being an Island Batik Ambassador. I really like the colors in this collection, and the prints can be sorted into a gradient. Plus, the pop of orange works well with the blue and purple palette.
For this attempt at the block, I decided to make more of a “straight” set. I started with squares all cut the same size for the center. The two side legs of the block are 1/2 of the width of the strip set, and the top piece is the full width.
This is the group of blocks I made in a couple of hours. I’m not as excited by this layout. I’ll finish off another row or two, but I don’t think it is super compelling. I can’t tell if it is that the color values aren’t as smooth in transition, or if the prints fight too much with the block pattern. Or, it could be that the design is too static. Maybe making it larger will smooth out the entire composition.
I want to try that one again, maybe with the other half of the strip set, but with all three sides the same size. I’m not ready to give up on the straight set yet. Or maybe the sizes change, but are all cut straight.
Since I found the improv so much more intriguing, I decided to take it a step further. Curves! I pulled out another strip set, this time Bali Pops by Hoffman. It also has a great gradient, and has been sitting patiently on my shelf for years. I paired it with a lovely purple solid. (Orange and purple is magic for me.)
Improv curves are one of my absolute favorite things to play with recently. Part of the attraction is that they just look so lovely every time.
I had a lot of fun exploring how the curves would look as they moved against each other. I had to be fairly careful to keep the curves pretty shallow, as I only had 2 1/2″ to work with. Anything too deep would make the fabric strip disappear.
This one is only a partial top right now, too, but it will definitely get bigger. I plan to use up the entire strip set. I am completely in love with it so far. Sometimes when I’m doing improv I don’t want to stop, I just enjoy it so much. With this piece, in particular, I really felt a sense of flow. Every cut felt right, and they all pieced together perfectly. I can’t wait to finish off some of my to-do list and get back to playing.
I love the idea of working in a series with a block, and seeing where I can take it. This has been my favorite project with Quilt Lab so far.
Have you ever worked in a series? Is there one block that speaks to you and you go back to it again and again?
I love your first piece in this series. It’s really fascinating to look at. I love it when I hit the flow state, so glad to hear this series has had so many highs for you already.
Thanks!
What fun! Haven’t done much series work, but I have a star I do think will be a series. I love the way this changes and each is interesting in its own way.
Thank you!
I haven’t worked in a series, yet. I think it would be an interesting and fun exercise. I like the difference between your two; each one has a completely different vibe.
Hi Jen! I can easily see how this would be a fun challenge. I adore your first and third projects and truthfully, I wouldn’t be able to pick a favorite. The curves – YES. The more traditional log cabin – YES. But the middle project . . . I can’t quite say why it doesn’t work. Maybe, as you suggested, more rows? I look forward to seeing if you find the answer, and especially what it is! What story does a black/white photo tell? All the same tone? IDK. ~smile~ Roseanne
I have not worked on a series but I think it is a great idea.
The last one with the dark centers makes me think of doorways leading to mysteries. I’ve done series; small scrappy 4 patches in 5 different settings/colorways… what feeling differences come with the lack of or major contrast? And I love 9-patches. One in the works, now in a time out, is all kinds of reds from the 1800’s, waiting a decision on the difficult border I’ve decided upon. The patches are 3″ finished. It will likely be king sized. One coming soon will be in all kinds of polka dots, scrappy.
Wow! That sounds like fun. Isn’t it nice to find your favorite block? This is the first that has pulled on me like this.