On my design wall – Moonrise and Aurora – 2018.01.24

My ‘Moonrise’ art quilt is all quilted, and I’m loving the texture the quilting has added.  I quilted the sky with straight horizontal lines about 1/4″ apart.  The moon and clouds have horizontal quilting 3/4″ apart.

I realized that when I fused the strips for the sky and water, I started from the top and overlapped each strip over the one above it.  When I smooth the quilt by running my hand over it in a downward direction, I disturb the raw edges where the strips overlap.  If I use this technique again, I will try to remember to overlap each strip over the one below it.  With this quilt, I will try to remember to smooth it with an upward motion.

So it’s all complete, except for the finishing – the facings, sleeve and label.  But that will get done later, because I’ve started working on a new art quilt.  (It’s a good thing I have a two-sided design wall!)

 

While working on ‘Moonrise’ I found myself getting bored with the color palette, and started wondering whether I could have come up with a more colorful combination for the SAQA exhibit Dusk to Dawn theme.  Somehow, that made me think of Northern Lights, also known as Aurora.

I remembered that I have a collection of gradated fabrics in a variety of colors – some of which would be perfect for Northern Lights.  I was so excited about this idea that I got out of bed to find the fabrics!  The next thing you know, there’s a new project on my design wall!

Yesterday morning, I cut strips of several of the gradated fabrics and arranged them on some dark blue background fabrics.  I drew a very rough sketch, but I’m not going to make a full-size pattern.  I’m just going to piece it together in an improv way, and see what happens.  Here’s my initial fabric selection and placement.

 

I initially cut the strips 3 inches wide, then I cut some of those in half to add more interest to the design.  And I added in a few different fabrics to increase the streaky vertical look.  Here’s what it looks like this morning.  I’m loving these colors – it’s looking even better than I imagined it would!

 

I’m hoping to get the piecing all finished today.   I have to work quickly, because both of these art quilts need to be ready for submission by January 31.

 

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.

   Esther’s Blog    Sew Fresh Quilts  grab button for Quiltfabrication

 

 

 

 

 

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5 Responses to On my design wall – Moonrise and Aurora – 2018.01.24

  1. karen says:

    Aurora is going to be gorgeous. Love your fabric choices!

  2. knitnkwilt says:

    What would we do without deadlines? The quilting does indeed give good texture–the water looks watery now. I’m liking your new palette.

  3. jhimsl says:

    I agree with you. The moon piece is serene but the Aurora piece is exciting. I’m excited to see it as it progresses. It would be the best thing ever if TWO Canadians got accepted to D2D. : )

  4. Susan says:

    OMG! Moonrise turned out beautifully – love how you finished the moon and clouds!

  5. Lynette says:

    Wow!!!! LOVE what’s going on with your aurora play. 🙂 These two projects together make a superb unit.

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