Tuesday, March 28, 2023

Optical Illusion 2 Top

Obsession is a substitute for talent.
~Steven Martin

Quilting


Perhaps my repetition of specific ideas is a form of obsession but I prefer to consider it working all the angles. 



The result is better than expected - despite using only scraps. The design pulls the white center into a slightly curved shape and the subsequent rows and sashing enhance the effect. The blue corner has the best value progression. The corals (lower right) jump a bit more than ideal but I love the colors. As stated, I used fabric on hand, mostly from the scrap bin although some was pulled from my stash {which was already pretty depleted.} Remember how I worried that the sashing would disappear? It turned out a delight. 

The remainder of that original yard of fabric makes the outer border. Another choice of which I was originally uncertain. Finally I realized it could be cut and removed if it didn't work. It's not like I've never wasted fabric before. No seam ripping here!

Now to quilt it. 

Reading

How have I missed reading Firoozeh Dumas all these years? Her humorous stories comparing her Persian heritage with California life illuminate our universal human condition. Her stories of life with her extended family remind me of Erma Bombeck. She had a column in our paper when I was growing up. Who else remembers her? 

Enjoy the day, Ann

10 comments:

Millie said...

I think of it as pushing an idea around to see how far I can go with it. If you always do the normal you don’t ever get to discover the cool stuff. Love this quilt.

patty a. said...

This quilt top turned out really sharp! I love the striped sashing and borders. I recently bought a similar striped fabric and have been thinking of how it would look in a quilt I have planned (only in my head right now). Your optical illusion top gives me a wonderful perspective on how it will look.

Exuberantcolor/Wanda S Hanson said...

This one is so pretty and that sashing is terrific. I'm not sure I would have thought of using a stripe.

Robin said...

Oh, it turned out so lovely. I'm amazed that you could come up with something so quietly vibrant. I love it. The striped sashing adds a lot of vitality.

Quiltdivajulie said...

I really, really like this quilt top! And playing with an idea more than once is NOT an obsession!

Linda @ kokaquilts said...

Yes, a great finish! Love that coral corner... the stripe really is very effective... and I can see you had fun with this!

Mystic Quilter said...

This is a delight to see Ann, such pretty colours and I love the the corners! The centre really does curve, fascinating to see the effect. I love it!

Kaja said...

This has worked out beautifully. Like others, I really like the striped sashing and border. The colours are muted but very lovely and have enough progression to be very effective. Nice work!

Nann said...

The striped sashing is a sharp accent. I went back to see the first Optical Illusion. Such a difference. I recall reading Dumas' first book. I'll need to look up this one.

audrey said...

Series work is really quite intriguing. Every project there is an opportunity to refine a different aspect of the quilt. This is a gorgeous quilt top, very you! Loving the striped sashing. Really great touch, adding just the perfect amount of tension to the quilt!