A Design Tip-Contrast

May 8, 2013
Design Contrast
Contrast in Quilts

Design Contrast

Today is another sunny day here in Minnesota-a stark contrast to the snow and rain we’ve endured so far this spring.  It is so unusual to see the sun that all Minnesotans have paused their busy lives and taken notice…

That is what Contrast does.  It makes one stop and notice.  It creates Focus.  Contrast is a powerful tool that gives a design Energy, Focus and Visual Interest. There are several ways to create contrast using color, size, shape or texture.   These are all terms used in art and graphic design, but can easily be applied to quilting as well.

For this quilt, I wanted the flowers to be the focus of the quilt…

Design Contrast

I used shape contrast -pairing the curly, circular flowers with a straight line quilting pattern…

Immediately, the flowers “popped” right off the quilt.

In addition, I employed color and value contrast – the white thread against the darker blue fabric created more visual interest and drama.

Design Contrast

So here it is in a nutshell:  Whenever you want your quilting to be the focal point of your quilt or block-use Contrast to help make it “POP’.

If the quilting is not the focal point–perhaps your fabulous applique is the star of the quilt–don’t use Contrast

Design Contrast

Next week we will be stitching a few Straight Line quilting patterns to pair with all those curly patterns we’ve learned already.

Also, we have another great giveaway sponsored by The Stencil Company

All of the Tuesday Tutorials can be found in the “Quilt/Tutorial” Tab above, and check out the “Bookshelf” tabs…they’ve been updated.  I will be adding more every week, and I  would love know your favorite books on quilting, photography, creativity, art, fiction…..

As always, thanks for pinning, re-blogging, and sharing…all content, tutorials, photos, etc. are for personal use.  Please attribute to The Inbox Jaunt.

Share:

Discover more from Lori Kennedy Quilts

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading