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| Blades of Color Quilt |
A masterpiece example of how to incorporate the idea of the fluid movement by using the repetition of geometric forms is the Blades of Color quilt, created by the creative team at Quilted Twins. Provided that you have been seeking a project that reveals a rich range of fabrics and yet retains a neat and contemporary look, the pattern is a great option.
A description of what makes this quilt special, the technical specifics you will need to begin, and some tips to help your version a success are listed below.
The Design: A Geometrical and Colour Dance.
The Blades of Color quilt is made using 10 degree wedges to form fan like patterns that seem to rotate over the quilt top. Since it is based on a regular shape repeated with variations of direction, the motion of the quilt entirely depends on how you lay your fabric. Either with a rainbow gradient or a more restrained two-tone palette, the end effect is a bold, professional appearance.
Pattern Essentials:
Here are the main specifications of the Quilted Twins design prior to going to the cutting table:
- Complete Size: Around 60" x 60" (an ideal large throw or wall hanging).
- Level of skill: intermediate (must be able to cut angles accurately and maintain the seam allowance).
- Important Tool: you will require a 10-degree wedge ruler (e.g. the Creative Grids one) to make sure that the blades are accurate.
Fabric Requirements:
It is a ridiculously scrap-friendly pattern should you have a deep stash, and it is also a great success with a carefully-chosen set of fat quarters.
- The Blades: 20 Fat Quarters of different bright or high contrast materials.
- The Background: 3 yards of a neutral fabric (white, light gray, or even a dark navy) in order to make the colors stand out.
- Binding: 1/2 yard.
- Backing: 4 yards.
Key Construction Highlights:
The assembly is a step-by-step and satisfying process, as per the pattern instructions:
- Cutting the Wedges: Wedges are cut with the 10-degree ruler with 9" strips of your focal fabrics. Accuracy is crucial in this case; your greatest allies are a cutting rotary and a non-slip ruler.
- Forming the Fans: The wedges are stitched together in groups to form the "blades." One trick to help keep your blocks flat is to press your seams either on a regular basis such as open or to a side to minimize bulk at the junctions.
- The Background Integration: The pattern uses background rectangles and squares to "frame" the blades, turning the circular wedges into manageable square blocks that are then pieced into rows.
- Layout: The 60" x60" layout is made of 4x4 grid of these large blocks.
Quilting Suggestions
To counteract the angularity of the blades, think of this being quilted in a matchstick fashion with straight lines going in the direction of the wedges. Alternatively, a soft swirl or "orange peel" motif would provide a beautiful organic contrast to the sharp geometric lines of the piecing.
Final Thoughts:
The Blades of Color quilt is not merely a stash-buster, but a study in color theory. With a plain backdrop, you enable the 20 various fabrics to convey a story and the design does not look cluttered.
When you are willing to go beyond squares and triangles, the 10-degree wedge is a skill-builder that can provide high-impact outcome.
