Creating One-of-a-Kind Projects

Occasionally, you may want to create a project for which no pattern exists, such as the wall quilt pictured. I started with a graphic image selected from the works of M.C. Escher for a long-ago contest I entered sponsored by Quilters Newsletter Magazine in which contestants interpreted their favorite artist. The cut-away sphere and background are both designs of the brilliant Escher. I hand pieced the background, then appliqued the sphere on top. Blenders and other fabrics that seem to "read" as solids are great playgrounds for experimenting with depth and value.
Tip for producing a wall quilt that doesn't sag: when cutting backing fabric, ensure that the up and down grain (as it hangs on the wall) is cut parallel to the selvage edge. It is the direction of grain that is most stable. Test this by tugging, with both hands, the direction of the selvage grain, then the cross cut (or width of fabric) direction.

Sharing Design Ideas--Diamonds

,Sometimes all we need for
inspiration to embark on a
new design challenge is an
image of someone else's project.
The wall quilt below uses 60
degree diamonds to produce
the Lone Star, using leftover
pieces for the top edge header
and the bottom edge accents.
The dangles at center are
beads strung for a little
something extra.
To copy the table pad at left,
simply count diamonds and
substitute your preferred
fabrics, then piece together.