Thursday, July 1, 2010

It's Complementary

Just as Karen announced our new theme, I looked at my first three Colorplay quilts and saw that I might have the beginnings of a simple/traditional block theme starting. The idea of opposites attracting immediately made me think of the "Robbing Peter to Pay Paul" block. In the traditional block, the two fabrics used for one block swap places for teh next block. Usually the block is a simple Drunkard's Path quarter circle in a square, or it's a square with a curved section cut out of each side.



I didn't want to just make a block, but I did want to reference the concept. After a false start, I realized that a simple rectangle in a rectangle could do the trick. It looks abstract and not immediately like a quilt block, and still each side is the opposite of the other.



One side is yellow, the other purple. One side is near solid, the other is highly patched. One side is matte cotton, the other is shiny, soft, rich, pattered silk. One side is machine quilted, the other is hand quilted. One side is stitched vertically, the other horizontally. I might even add beading to the edge of the purple side, but I've been traveling and haven't had a chance to find and add the right ones.

All the fabrics came from my stash (who knew I had so many purple silks?) and the perfect buttery yellow foil to the purples was a napkin of all things! As I cut and arranged my pieces, I missed the drawn thread edge of the original napkin. So, I added it back in with a little purple silk peeking through. Sure, it means that the sides aren't strictly opposite, but it complements the couched gold cord on the opposite side nicely.

12 comments:

Gerrie said...

I love the wonkiness and the yin and yang of this. I am especially attracted to the curve on the purple side - very sensuous. I am glad you made it in from the beach to post this. LOL

Terry Grant said...

Oh, you clever girl! This is deceptively simple, but has so much intention and a very delicate balance to it. That stepped line of lighter purple keeps it just off-balance enough to make it sing. If I close one eye and cover the light strip the piece becomes a completely different, very conventional quilt-y piece. Love it!

Deborah Boschert said...

Yes, this piece is more "quilt" than nearly all our other pieces. And I think you meant it to be so. I love it. I has a very yin yang quality as Gerrie mentioned. I especially love the purple peeking through the edge of the napkin. Great job.

Françoise said...

What a good idea! I like it.

Lisa Flowers Ross said...

Once again, these are all so very interesting, especially seeing the types of yellows and purples used. I have posted my play-along piece on my blog as well.
http://lisasartmusings.blogspot.com/

Diane Perin said...

Ooh, so pleasing. I really like how this references aspects of traditional quilting and the block but without being at all traditional or an identifiable block. You have been very successful in the way you approached that. And your yellow napkin IS perfect against those deep and luscious purples.

Terri Stegmiller said...

Oooooo I really like this. I love how you did opposite things on each side and I never would have guessed the purples were silk.

Karen said...

This is great Kristin, and that little lace thing on the left is so cool. I agree the wonkiness on the right really makes tis interesting.

Nikki said...

I love the rich textures of the purples and how the soft buttery yellow brings them out. I just love all the little details.

Natalya Khorover Aikens said...

simply fabuloooouuss!

Kristin L said...

Thanks everyone! I can also assure you that this one looks soooo much better in person where you can really see (and feel) the lusciousness of the purple side.

Unknown said...

the shift upwards of the middle of the three light putple 'bars' together with the purple thread on the yellow transform this from medicore to a really good design. There are lessons to be learned in it!