I started working on my improv idea for the MQG challenge but I’m not happy with the results. I had this idea about cutting the black & white sashing fabric into thin strips, off-grain, to diminish the very linear, geometric lines and make them look more abstract.
I inserted the skinny strips between wider pieces of the solid colors. I sewed a few pieces together, but I just wasn’t satisfied with the results. I’m not sure if I tried to use too many colors – perhaps a more restricted palette? Or maybe I don’t have enough contrast – I could try adding some very light fabrics, or perhaps some black? I tried putting them on my dark gray design wall, and then on my light gray design wall.
In any case, the whole process was starting to feel forced, rather than creative. So now I’m going in a completely different direction. A design loosely based on an old-fashioned TV test pattern, like this one.
Here’s where it is so far. It’s just pinned to the dark gray design wall. I still need to add the background with some more bars of color, and perhaps a TV screen shape as a border.
And I now think I see what the problem is – not enough value contrast in the fat quarter package of Riley Blake fabrics that I bought online. But since the rules require that only Riley Blake solids can be used with the feature fabric, I’m limited in my options. I did order some solid black from another online source, which may help. I’m going to set this aside until the black arrives, and then re-assess.
Thanks for stopping by. Today, I’m linking up with these blogs – click on the links below, where you’ll find many other creative and inspirational projects.
It’s so fascinating to get a glimpse of your creative process, even when things aren’t going smoothly (and maybe especially when they’re not going smoothly!). I like how the thin strips look on the upper right. Maybe the problem is that they’re just too thin after sewing, so the graphic effect of the black & white is getting lost? What would happen if you used somewhat wider strips, and maybe sewed some of them together, but offset to break apart the original pattern? Would that go somewhere interesting?
Good luck! Looking forward to seeing how things work out!