Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Comparing 3 ways

Oct 8. Update: Am sitting aft on deck 14 of the Golden Princess just offshore in Lahaina, Maui. The islands breezes so often embedded in song are so soft and gentle such that I would love to package it and send it to everyone. Ah... Natures splender.
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I thought this might be of interest as well.... On the same background red fabric... a dark, same value, and light compliment thread are stitched in similar quilt density. Can you see a difference? It's actually harder to see up close than far away.... but here we are with our nose in it as it is just a wee sample.

But I LIKE IT AS IS!

Oct. 6th update
a day at at queens palace in Honolulu. One more island then heading for Baja.
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This is likely NO surprise to anyone thats done much quilting. If you want the fabric underneath to stay just like it is..... a same value solid or variegated thread works great!


A Light Compliment

OCT 4, 2010 UPDATE: 3 classes down and now in Hilo Hawaii. WEll, I went ashore saying I needed no fabric.... visited 2 shops and returned the biggest spender amongst my traveling friends. BEAUTIFUL silks at Dragon Mama in Hilo! I'm broke but happy! Now to learning info!
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Nope.... I don't mean just saying something kind of nice to someone..... I tickled myself with this title... SORRY! See what happens when you use a lighter value compliment thread atop the compliment fabric? IT says.. LOOK AT ME!!!!

Darker Richness

OCT. 2, 2010.... update.... 2 classes done, 4 to go on this lovely Hawaiian Cruise. Happy Quilting all!
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If one uses a compliment color darker thread to add darkness / shadow on fabric underneath... you will likely note the result has a richness to it that a darker same color as the fabric wouldn't. Check out the burgundy thread (from the red family compliment to green) and what it does to add richness/ interest in the veins of the leaves.

Color Everywhere

Typing this intro at sea via satellite in slower than dialup mode. Egads... this is slow and costly. Having fun out here tho. Happy Quilting
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While I'm traveling it will be a challenge to get pictures uploaded to the web.... so I'm planning in advance a bit of a color class on line. What appears can be used in reference to fabric color AND thread color. First...a color wheel for general reference.
You ofcourse note there are no neutrals or black shown on this wheel. Mixtures of other colors that do appear on the wheel make up a variety of neutrals.
DID YOU KNOW that complimentary colors mixed together make a brownish neutral? What I'm showing here was done with approximately equal parts of textile ink.

With this knowledge one might use a complimentary color thread to perhaps downplay a fabric that seemed perfect when chosen, but a little stronger than desired when the entire top was complete. Just playing with thread alone... note where the two compliments cross over each other.... that crossover area is dulled down a bit, further supporting the neautralizing effect of mixed compliments.


When dealing with thread atop fabric.... it's pretty much the same value ( color intensity) that tones down whats underneath. Darker and lighter values have a different effect and we'll see that in a subsequent post! Happy Quilting all!

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

TheQuiltShow.com featuring "Windsong" Oct 5th

While I'm sailing around, I understand this piece will be featured on their website daily blog on Oct 5th. What a nice honor!
www.thequiltshow.com

Setting sail thru 10/13

Life is sure tough..... KIDDING!!!!
On Wednesday afternoon, we set sail in Los Angeles on the Golden Princess on a round trip to Hawaii. Well.. Someone had to go there! I will teach 4 classes.. all on at sea days otherwise no one would attend class.
:-) Somehow, I have managed to get all class supplies in 2 bags and my 2 week clothing into 1. What on earth did I forget? It's always an adventure figuring that out!
Beautiful ship eh?