Taking shape on my design wall – 2025.04.19

Here is my next planet quilt – Neptune, one of the gas giants in the solar system. Neptune’s swirling gases create its characteristic blue color. Its powerful winds create the bands and swirls.

I used several photos of Neptune to create my pattern. I had more than enough blue fabrics to choose from. The challenge was to select the correct values. Since I knew the values were very close and might be tricky, I pinned the pieces to the design wall, as I fused and cut them. When I saw them all together, I could see that the third darkest fabric (number 6 on the value scale) was too dark.

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I was able to quickly find another blue fabric that worked better. It is a bit more purple, but the value is much better. And I like how the purple adds interest.

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Then I took all the pieces off the design wall, removed the backing paper and reassembled them on a horizontal surface. I finger pressed the fabrics to parchment paper, starting with the lightest values. I had traced the design lines onto a transparent overlay so I could easily position the pieces.

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After I fused all the pieces to the parchment paper, I carefully peeled the fused planet off the parchment paper and fused it to felt. Below, it is pinned to the background fabric.

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The next step is to quilt contour lines, then I will attach it to the background.

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I’m linking up with Nina-Marie’s Off the Wall Friday.

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