Thursday, March 24, 2011

Calm

Calm
Calm down
Be calm
Stay calm
Winds are calm
Remain calm

I decided to make another word quilt. It is hard to chose a word though. Whatever word you choose will define your quilt. Definitions vary depending on the reader, so you must choose carefully. I wanted to make an aqua quilt, essentially monochromatic.

I started with a sketch.


Initially I chose the word "simple." Notice that the title of the post is not "simple." After making the word I realized that "simple" has some definitions that do not adequately describe the quilt I was making. The piecing for this quilt was definitely not simple. There were several partial seams, which aren't hard, but aren't simple either. After pulling out my fabrics, I decided that "calm" was more the feeling I was going for with my aqua quilt. So I made a "c", put the "s", "i", and "p" aside. Flipped over the "e" so that it became an "a" and now I have "calm."


In addition, "simple" was too long. It would have forced me to make the piece larger than I intended. I didn't realize this until I had pieced the letters and put them on the design wall. "Calm" fits better. I chose not to do any wonky piecing. "Wonky" is not "calm" in my world. Neat, orderly, organized = calm.

Now I am cogitating on what quilting motif best complements "calm." I have a few ideas but no time to act on them yet.


This may be my art group project for the Downtown Show this summer. I have another idea too though. My entry will most likely be which ever one gets finished in time. Such is life.

6 comments:

pegcollins said...

Lynn! love it!

Barb said...

just wonderful!

Mama Pea said...

It's very beautiful! I love those colors. I would love a bathroom in those colors. It is very calm, both colors and the straight piecing. I love your process post about this. Just love it.

Tonya Ricucci said...

Calm is a lovely quilt. I also love the version of it that I see on your design wall. Lots of white, fewer colors and the word "calm" just forming itself out of the white. I'm really intrigued by how that looks. cool!

Kathleen C said...

Lynn, I really love your style. I've been doing liberated medallion style quilts with scraps so they aren't always calm--yet I am drawn to quilts which are "easy on the eyes", but also exciting-like your aqua quilt.
I just saw your Fun quilt on Unruly Quilting and am now browsing your posts. I'm going to look some more now.

Quilter Kathy said...

It's fabulous... I love it! The colour choices and blocks are perfect for word!