Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Using Value

I've been having so much fun working on my joke challenge quilt!  Most of the motifs that make up the picture are done now, and just need fine tuning before I begin to stitch them together and do the final assembly.  Then the quilting--like Scarlet O'Hara, I'll think about that tomorrow.

Here you can see my fabrics for this project sorted by value dark, medium, light in the back, with the multicolors on the upper left. I approached fabric choices for this a bit differently.  I chose a color plan, and made a sketch, but instead of planning what color each piece should be, I only planned what value it should be.  I wanted to be sure to get enough contrast in the focal points to let those shapes stand out, and less contrast in more secondary areas.

I found this a very satisfying way to work.  It's somehow simpler to look for a dark fabric than wonder whether I want a blue or a green or an orange, and it makes sorting the fabric easier too when I'm working with a large number of possible choices.  As I went along, I did consider color, making sure that the different colors are spread around in a pleasing way.

By coincidence, Libby of Creative Endeavors has been working with values in her painting projects, and it seems to be working well for her.
We'll see how this works for me, but so far, I'm pleased.

6 comments:

Nellie's Needles said...

Way to GO! Can't wait to see your result.
;-)

jenclair said...

I love the theme and can't wait to see where you are going with it!

Debra Dixon said...

I always love looking at piles of fabric on worktables, especially when I can see some I have too!

Barbara Strobel Lardon said...

I have sorted my fabric so many times using different methods. I still feel like I have not found the perfect way because I usually have to haul out boxes and boxes to find what I want to use.
I sort by color with the colors going from light to dark values.

Libby Fife said...

Kay-As you know, I think you are really on to the core of the process. I hope you will use the same method again and report back:)

Rian said...

I can't wait to see where you go with this. I too love looking at piles of fabric on the worktable. Just something about it...