Quilt By Committee
Parts pasted into a composition, not really real
I have been dinkin' around with layouts on the computer. Cropping out parts and copy & pasting them into new arrangements. Then I upload them all into a Picasa2 slideshow and I try and decide which one works best, to decide if I will make it.
I invited Tommy to play along and offer her opinion. She chose the layout above and suggested that I try a different color scheme, perhaps with some black or darker colors.
So I made this top, which is 31.5" wide and 45.5" long. It started life as a totally blue composition, but was just too...um...blue. So I tossed in some warm colors and liked it better.
Everything on her chosen composition seemed too static and 'regular' so I decided to make a diagonal strip as a focal point.
Is less more? Or is it just easier to see everything when it is cropped?
The whole thing, horizontally arranged. This is how it sits on my studio wall at the moment.
The whole thing, horizontally arranged. This is how it sits on my studio wall at the moment.
I have a new slide show here with 8 layouts, all possibilities for the finished top.
Ohh - I like the last one! I love the warm colors - makes it glow!
ReplyDeleteRemember the Midwest winter? I know you do, it hasn't been that long. Remember the unrelenting grey-ness of it? Yeah. That's where I'm at right now.
ReplyDeleteAll that to say this: THANK YOU for sharing these amazing, vibrant quilt concepts. They're wonderful. Therapeutic, even.
Now I'm going to biggify one, center it on the monitor and simply...bask for a while.
Liz in IN,
ReplyDeleteI love the word BIGGIFY.
I was torn until I went to the slide show. My eye immediately went to #6. Can't say why, but it draws me in horizontally
ReplyDeleteIt would have been the "blues" if you hadn't added the warm colors. Now it is singing a "Melody".
ReplyDeleteI want to PIECE one like this. Ok if I steal your design?
Mmmmmm... yummers... I like the original size in all configurations! Too delish for words!
ReplyDeleteLove #5, although #1 is great too. The diagonal strip is "heavier" and seems more balanced when it is lower in the quilt.
ReplyDeleteI vote for #8. Linda in Lansing
ReplyDeleteHorizontally arranged I love the Nr 2.
ReplyDeleteBut also the Nr 5 catched my eyes at first view
Fernande
What are they thinking? It's definitely #7. OK, they really are all gorgeous, I admit I'm more drawn to these dramatic colors than your Bon Bon colors. And the diagonal strip adds so much to it. Thanks for the inspiration.
ReplyDeleteThe diagonal strip definitely gave the quilt more energy. Love it!
ReplyDeleteHi Mel, This brightened my day because Southern Indiana is pure gray today. I love #6 - seeing the bigger strip first made my mind tell my eyes to travel down to see what was going to be next.
ReplyDeleteReally love them all.
Thanks for sharing the brightnest.
I like #7. The diagonal strip is definitely the dominant strip and it looks good on the right. Is that because I am right handed?
ReplyDeleteHow fun to rearrange on the computer. (Isn't it mesmerizing, how you can do so much and the possibilities are endless?!) These are all gorgeous...love the depth of color.
ReplyDelete2nd Attempt:
ReplyDeleteWell for me, I am not getting the feeling that "YESSSSS, she has achieved 'it' once again" Try as I might, I just can't find that feeling. I think there are just too many colours vying for ATTENTION, shouting 'pick me, pick me'! I'd throw some out....serve them right....and replace them with some quiet, 'not so loud', mysterious ones.
Dear Anon, We are in agreement and I am about to make new simpler blocks to replace the diagonal strip. Cleaner, clearer and simpler. I almost forgot about that mantra!
ReplyDeleteMel
Hi Mel.
ReplyDeleteWait. Before you get rid of that diagonal.... To my eye, it is the wide strip of blue/gr etc. above the thin one above the diagonals that throws the design off balance. It is too heavy in its sandwiching effect on the other elements, whereas the thin blue/gr... strip lightly caps the movement within. After removing that row, you might consider placing the diagonal below the other 6 rows rather than sitting on top, again because of it's visual weight since the multi-colored strips are read by the eye as singular diagonal strokes. The size/color variations of the other strips, when placed on top of the diagonals provide balance. But keep that THIN blue/ green strip next to the diagonals- on both sides of it, whether vertically or horizontally viewed. Thanks for all the beauty you bring into our world!
Alexandra
I never thought of photographing sections of a quilt and manipulating them on the computer.
ReplyDeleteWhat a brilliant idea!
Once again, you inspire...
It's #7 for me.
i'm a #7 person, too. I guess I prefer vertical. Too much horizontal in my life. Horizontal stripes don't like me... I don't like them.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE #4 -- I want it. I want it now!
ReplyDeleteSherry in FL
I love them all!!! I have to say I think the vertical lines do more for me. Horizontal feels so finished.... LOL Since I have so many wild batiks this is definitely a design I am going to have to play with.
ReplyDeletePeace