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Repeat and Vary–A Design Tip

June 13, 2013

Free Motion Quilting, Design Tips, Pink Tulips, Quilting

Whenever I am stitching away and find myself at a loss for ideas, I return to the design principle of Repeat and Vary.  In visual design, repetition creates unity within a pattern, while variety develops interest.  A quilt pattern that is too repetitive is boring.  One that has too many design elements looks messy and chaotic.  The best designs balance repetition and variety.

In the little quilt above, I started with the tulips (See tutorial HERE)  and then I repeated the spiral from the tulip, but combined it with a straight line stitching pattern (see Tutorial HERE).

Free Motion Quilting, Design Tips, Pink Tulips, Quilting

In addition, I repeated the tulip row, but varied it by stitching it in a smaller scale in the outer rows of the quilt.

The Design Principle of Repeat and Vary is an easy one to incorporate into quilts as well as gardens, home decorations, etc.

Free Motion Quilting, Design Tips, Pink Tulips, Quilting

The next time you are struggling to plan your quilting–look for an element already in your quilt–and see if you can alter it — For example, if you have sewn a wedding ring quilt–stitch quilted rings in the border.  If your fabric is floral, copy that flower in your free motion quilting line.

When you are at the Garden Center, consider adding two new flowers of the same color, but different forms to your garden.

Free Motion Quilting, Design Tips, Pink Tulips, Quilting

Maybe next time we should talk about Focal Point?

To read more about design in quilting, you might like Contrast: A Design Tip   HERE

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Categories

Design Machine Quilting

Tagged

Art Design Design Tips doodle quilt Fiber Arts free motion quilting Long Arm Quilting Repeat and Vary Tulips

7 responses to “Repeat and Vary–A Design Tip”

  1. kathy o says:
    June 13, 2013 at 4:35 pm

    I absolutely love how your mind works! Thank you, again, for sharing – it’s beautiful!

  2. red flannel pantry says:
    June 13, 2013 at 6:08 pm

    Love the antique cow cream pitcher–and the pig looks like a mini-Babe! Great photos.

    1. theinboxjaunt says:
      June 14, 2013 at 1:21 pm

      It is Babe! One of my favorite movies! Good call!

  3. Sara says:
    June 14, 2013 at 12:39 am

    That’s really lovely.

  4. Lucie the Happy Quilter says:
    June 14, 2013 at 1:12 am

    Thank you for sharing that. You really inspire me.

    1. theinboxjaunt says:
      June 14, 2013 at 1:22 pm

      Thanks, Miss Lucie–you really inspire me!

  5. Melba says:
    August 7, 2013 at 9:46 pm

    Thank you for sharing – I love your work, it is awesome.

Comments are closed.
  • Lori Kennedy Quilts

    Lori Kennedy

    Hi! I’m Lori Kennedy, machine quilter, & author from Minnesota. Check out my monthly newsletter & my articles. Machine quilting is my passion. From doodling to quilting, I’m here in my Minnesota studio to help you get quilting.

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