Wednesday, November 1, 2017

Simple Simon and Company Modern Quilt Along: Grid Work

Elizabeth and Elizabeth at Simple Simon and Company have been hosting a year-long Modern Quilt Along on their blog. Each month features a different aspect of modern quilting, and a guest personality. November brings forth Grid Work and yours truly. Join us in exploring modern quilting by creating a project that highlights one of the aspects presented and link up at Simple Simon and Company for a chance to win a thread and fabric package for an entire quilt.

Let's talk Grid Work. Heather Grant laid out the concept very succinctly in her article for the Modern Quilt Guild. If you're a member, check out the Fresh Quilting Episode in which Jacquie Gering demonstrates how to rearrange blocks in ways that vary from traditional quilting grids.

Traditional grid work uses blocks that are the same size, laid out in checkerboard fashion. Sometimes there are rotated into and on-point layout, or sashing is added. Perhaps the rows are staggered, or borders of blocks are built around a central motif in a medallion style piece.

An alternative grid can be achieved by varying the scale of blocks or hiding the underlying grid structure by adding negative space.

Here are some examples I've sighted:

Amy Friend's Tranquil design uses two blocks whose boundaries aren't easily discernible. The blocks float asymmetrically on the background.


Kristin Shields framed her blocks in Las Ventanas with the background fabric, making them stand out and disguising the underlying structure.

Las Ventanas by Kristin Shields
Amy Garro of 13 Spools varied her coloration for each block in Icy Waters, which makes the grid less discernible and creates a gradated effect by freeing up progressively more negative space as you more toward the upper left.
Icy Waters by Amy Garro of 13 Spools
Photo by Amy Garro
Sylvia Schafer of Flying Parrot Quilt's Epic Halloween Quilt is an excellent example of differently sized blocks coming together in a paneled layout.


Debbie of A Quilter's Table is adept at this form of alternate grid work.

Mod Mood by Debbie of A Quilter's Table
Photo by Debbie
Bee blocks that range in size pose a fine opportunity to build skill in pulling together a pleasing composition while working outside the traditional grid.

Baconrific by Debbie of A Quilter's Table
Photo by Debbie
For some reason, I just got a sudden urge for crispy, fatty protein, so I'm going to have to let you go so I can satiate that desire. Don't forget to link your modern projects at Simple Simon and Company for a chance to win a fabulous prize.
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1 comment:

  1. Thanks for including a couple of my Bee Sewcial quilts! I do find the gridwork on these kinds of quilt pretty challenging. Another is on my design wall right now! ;-)

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