Category: Sunday sketch
Sunday sketch #133
I mentioned in last week’s post that Sunday sketch #132 led to a whole series of new designs – just by tweaking a few things here and there. I won’t post every iteration, but here’s the next interesting one.
Can you tell what I changed? I reduced the design to two colours, so the palette doesn’t overpower the pattern. (Also so I could work with the design more easily; lots of colours just distracts me and makes it difficult for me to focus on the design itself.) The small yellow squares are now larger yellow curvy diamonds (for lack of a better word), and a few more straight edges have been replaced with curves – which together create new circles as secondary shapes within the design. Don’t you love it when that happens?!
Like last week’s design, this one is based on just two blocks. They both include lots of curves, which would probably be easier to make using templates.
Sunday sketch #132
I was watching a TV show the other day, and the characters were sitting in a cafe that had some interesting decor in the background. A quick screenshot and some rough sketches on paper led to a bit of experimentation in Electric Quilt 8 – and this week’s design.
This design is based on only two blocks: one made using strips (rectangles) and squares, and the other using half-square triangles or flying geese units. They’re set on point; if you tilt your head sideways a bit, you might be able to see how they come together.
I created multiple variations of this design by making minor changes to both blocks. I’ll be posting them over the next few weeks, so see if you can spot how I moved from one design to the next!
Sunday sketch #131
I’ve been trying to be more imaginative with curve designs lately, but it be difficult. I think my designs often follow my own sewing abilities (in other words, ‘could I make this?’), and I’m not very experienced when it comes to sewing curves. But sometimes basic designs can be just as effective as more complicated ones. This design, I could definitely make:
I love incorporating the same shape in multiple ways in a single design. In this case, all the Xs (the whites in the foreground and the reds in the background) are the same size; it’s the colouring that sets them apart.
There are plenty of possibilities with this pattern. Just removing some of the foreground circles opens it up a bit:
Those background Xs, in red, can become a sort of supporting trellis for the circles if they’re connected:
But the trellis can be broken up a bit by removing some of the connecting parts:
And different colours can give the design an entirely different feel. How about a Nordic cross-stitch vibe:
Or maybe a candy shop colourway?
The quilt design could be made into a pattern using (slightly amended) drunkard’s path units and strips or rectangles. A template would probably be easiest for the curves.
