Tuesday, November 22, 2016

Red String Blocks and AHIQ Linkup

What improvising or utility quilting have you done this month? I'm still working on the string blocks.

The red set was difficult for me to lay out. First, there weren't enough to complete a toddler quilt so I added the remaining yellow blocks. I'd previously used many of the yellows so these are gold to brown.

Quilt blocks composed of strips of red fabric or yellow fabric.
Red and yellow string quilt

Here are four possible layouts I considered. They all use the exact same blocks. No leftovers. I find it particularly interesting how block placement affects the vibrancy of the quilt.

Possible layouts for the red/yellow string quilt
  • Top left: The light peach blocks are dispersed and this quilt is too dark for me.
  • Top right: Putting the peach blocks in the lower right divides the top into dark on top, light on bottom. No spark or transition.
  • Lower left: I like the peach X and the way the yellows seem minimized. This arrangement was my second choice.
  • Lower right: The peach diamond is too light for the center of this top but gave me the idea for the final arrangement.
Fun and games!

Enjoy the day, Ann

InLinkz removed because it was hacked.

17 comments:

Mimi said...

I love that yellow strip with the big dot. I looks as though an owl is peeking through the lattice. Very pretty.

Mimi said...

It looks.....

Nifty Quilts said...

Beautiful quilt and ingenious use of scraps. Happy Thanksgiving!

Ann said...

I hadn't noticed that until you wrote. And the pair of blue circles next to it now look like lizard eyes... or dragon eyes from "How to Train Your Dragon." Thanks!

Ann said...

Happy Thanksgiving to you, too!

em's scrapbag said...

Can't wait to see your final arrangement. I've been playing with arranging blocks too. Love how you get a completely different look with the same blocks.
Hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Cathy said...

I was first drawn to the eyeball with eyelashes too then saw that Mimi was too. I don't have a design wall so don't spend much time on arranging and rearranging but I can see the benefits of doing so. If I tried it I would spend too much time at it trying to decide what I like best. I'm more a "randomizer" - let the blocks fall as they may.

Ann said...

It is fun to play with blocks, isn't it? And I finally remembered to use the camera a lot. As my sister says, "Just waste those electrons."
Happy Thanksgiving.

Ann said...

That was a fabulous piece of fabric. So sorry it's all gone. Love the scale and boldness.
I used to lay things on the floor and climb the stairs to get a glimpse. Since I'd forget to take photos I never could recall the exact arrangement I liked best. It is a nice change of pace to have the wall and digital camera today.

Mystic Quilter said...

This is stunning! I love red and yellow together. Are the blocks on a foundation Ann?

Ann said...

Yes. I used an old phone book with pages cut square. Then spent a couple of evenings tearing that off.

Ann said...

Actually, as I look under the blue eyes there's a smiling mouth. You started this, Mimi!

Monica said...

You are right, the layouts DO really affect the vibrancy of the colours. Something to be aware of! Very interesting.

I have only two measly improv stars made recently. I may or may not get a post together. Dratted back!

Kaja said...

So interesting to see the different layouts. I like the mix of colours - slightly unexpected but it works really well. Now that I've read the comments, all I can look at are the eyes!

Ann said...

I was surprised how much difference it made. These are going more quickly because the blocks were previously sewn. Just trying to clear out the sewing space. (My perennial cry.)

Ann said...

Once you see these "features", that's all we seem to see, isn't it?
These colors are unexpected but they are what I have to work with. I'm using them up, not making more. Ha!

audrey said...

Wow! Love the version you settled on! It's so interesting to see the different layouts too. We all have our preferences, but it really does take an effort to keep trying until we get the layout that speaks best to us! I won't be linking up this month, but hopefully by next time, I'll have something to show.:)