LITE BRITE

This quilt mimics a donation quilt top I made in 2002 for Colorado Quilting Council, which was quilted by Terri Ballard, and won by Marcia Spitelle.  This was one of my favorite quilts, and I hope that whoever now owns it enjoys it as well.  It was time to make a smaller version with fabrics from current scrap bins to add to my personal quilt collection.

THE STATS:  Lite Brite, 2025, 34" x 34", Machine Pieced, Machine Quilted.  Nerd number report:  385 pieces including 353 one-inch squares in the top.

The donation quilt from 2002 called Autumn Glow:

The new quilt is not as spectacular as the first one in chasing the light source because of the size and number of blocks; but it is close enough as a reminder for me!

METAMORPHOSIS

This was a design as you go!  I started out with a little 3" block, found it too small; changed to a 4 1/2" block; later changed the color-way.  I intended to make 13 of these blocks, and alternate them with 12 simple log-type blocks. The log blocks were blah, and needed some definition so were re-designed, which made the center block to be repeated on the corners look even more blah.  Against my goal to not add any red to the quilt, I reneged and added some burgundy; changed the corner blocks; and turned the whole thing on point.  Now, it looked better; but was too big to repeat.  So, I spent a whole day working on designing and sewing the setting-in triangle units to make it square.  And, now I have a finished 20-inch small table topper instead of a larger quilt.  Too much information about my metamorphic process; but at least I'm  finally pleased with it.  Does anyone else sometimes struggle with design issues?

THE STATS: Metamorphosis, 2025, 21" x 21", Paper Pieced, Machine Pieced, Machine Quilted.

 Thanks to my artistic grandson for his critique along the way!!!

SUN DAPPLE

In designing a quilt, I always think back to the geometric theories that I learned 70 years ago in high school.  I had a wonderful teacher, and what he taught me serves me well today.  One of those theories is transversal lines -- very simply is when a line intersects other lines at different points.  In this quilt, the transversal line intersects parallel lines making the angles consistent.  The mental gymnastics is not always necessary, but for me it is fun!

THE STATS:  Sun Dapple, 2025, 28" x 28", Paper Pieced, Machine Pieced, Machine Quilted.

This is definitely a scrap quilt with leftover pieces from previous quilts!

PRISM BREAK

After making almost 300 quilts, I have the sewing techniques down.  However, the design of any quilt is still an experiment.

Some of the quilts I make I am really pleased with the outcome; others not so much.  This quilt falls into the "not so much" category.  I wanted to experiment with an off-set sashing after making the prism blocks.  The blocks were dark; so I thought it needed a light spark in the sashing, but I chose too light of a neutral. The sashing then became the focus and not what I intended.

The positives --  #1 I'm pleased with the quilting design, it adds a lot of texture.  #2 It's finished; I'll document it with a photo, file it away, and maybe someone will pay a few bucks for the quilt at an estate sale.  #3 Always a learning experience!

THE STATS:  Prism Break, 2025, 33" x 33", Paper Pieced, Machine Pieced, Machine Quilted.

The name -- Living in a prison town, we are always aware of a rare prison break.  Prism Break seemed applicable with this quilt!