Wednesday, June 15, 2016

Island Batik Modern Checks - Planning and Piecing





This month's Island Batik Ambassador challenge is to make a Modern Batik Quilt.  For whatever reason I stumbled upon check marks when I was thinking about this project.  I wondered what would happen if you stack them on top of each other going in opposite directions.   I added an extra square to make the pattern feel more complete.


The first thing I did was try out a few different colorations with markers.  I had a bunch of beautiful green Island Batiks to use, but decided they didn't have enough contrast for a modern quilt.  Then I tried different colors using a repeat of four colors and a repeat of five colors.  I decided the scale of four colors worked better.

Then I had to figure out how to piece it.  I always do this to myself!  I decided that it would be easiest to make in a "french braid" kind of fashion where you start with a triangle and then keep sewing on strips.  Here are my pieces before ironing....


Roland decided the pieces would make a great "boa" around his neck.  The kid is a ham!



Here you can see that I started with a central triangle and sewed strips to the right side, then the left side, then the right side, then the left, forever and ever and ever!  Or at least it felt like it at the time because I had to iron after each piece.


Here is the final piece with the last two triangles sewed on.  Clearly I miscalculated their size.  Oh well, too big is better than too small.


Now since this is a modern quilt, I knew I needed to add negative space to both sides.  So after squaring up the center "braid" I auditioned how to position it within the negative space.  Below there is a lot of space on the right.


In this option there is a more even amount of negative space on both sides.  I decided to go with the first picture: a little negative space on the left and a lot on the right.


Stay tuned for the quilting of this Modern Checks on Saturday!
Suzy

8 comments:

  1. I loved reading about your process for designing this quilt. I've never tried piecing in a french braid method, so you have showed me something new. Can't wait to see how you finish it. Beautiful colors and lots of fun negative space.

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  2. What a beautiful piece and your little model is the cutest!

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  3. How clever.....and adorable model

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  4. Beautiful quilt! Maybe a pattern coming soon I hope??

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  5. Do you rent your little model for spoiling by Grandma? He's a doll! I enjoyed reading about your process and breaking your design down into a basic French braid. Great quilt!

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  6. Do you rent your little model for spoiling by Grandma? He's a doll! I enjoyed reading about your process and breaking your design down into a basic French braid. Great quilt!

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  7. Beautiful beautiful work Suzy...you are a very talented quilter! I love hearing the story of your process making & designing & especially ��seeing Roland one of your two beautiful son's!

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