So I had another go at working with the fabulous Anthology fabrics and, once again, I got it all wrong. I want to get away from just putting patterned fabrics against plain old white or charcoal - the safe option - but what with the stripes going this way and that, everything seemingly having the same value, I have turned what I thought was going to be a fabulous block into some kind of dizzying vortex of dizziness. Thank you for all your comments on my previous Anthology block and what I did wrong there. I tried to correct those mistakes in this block but created a whole new set of mistakes - what did I do wrong this time???
I love the colours but for me personally, you didn't create enough contrast between the background and the fingers. Scrunch your eyes up and look at it. Then scrunch your eyes up and look at the Brit Quilt swap quilt you'll shortly be sending me,or your 'bring me sunshine' block and you'll see the values are bang on (imo) to let all the components of the blocks really sing.
ReplyDeleteIt's just my opinion though...others may feel differently!
I actually kind of like this! The only thing I can think is, as the comment above says, choosing a background with more contrast - maybe a paler green stripe, or a grey stripe (safe, but slightly less safe than a solid?!)
ReplyDeleteEh, its not so bad when you step back, the stripes kind of blend into a solid. (Stripes are a pain no matter what you're making with them, so don't feel bad!) Sure a bit more contrast in the values would be nicer, but these are really dynamic prints to work with, so it is tricky to get the right mix. I can understand wanting to get away from white and gray backgrounds--why not take a baby step and pick a solid non-neutral colored background. That would cut the conflict with the prints, give you the change in color you wanted and if it were a slightly lighter (as the prints are in the medium to dark range) value, you would also have more contrast.
ReplyDeleteI agree there isn't enough contrast - your green should have been a darker olive shade or you really should have gone with a plain fabric - no not just white or charcoal (and white might not have worked here either), but say a teal, delft, or denim - go to reds and probably only the rich red would have worked (just)
ReplyDeleteyou might want to play with some cut up photos of the fabric against some A4 coloured sheets to see what actually 'pops' or print some photos of this and use the colouring pencils on the background
I's not so terrible; kind of like a lot of bad ties worn with a bad suit! It is the 'wacky Science teacher' of blocks!
ReplyDelete(Oh, and all the sensible stuff they all said up there!)
I tend to only use stripes for bindings because i personally don't like the lines gallivanting all over the block by themselves creating havoc (like my Yr 7's on an excursion!!!) I probably would have tried a spot or at least something less 'directional'! That's my two bob's worth!
ReplyDeleteIf you never try these things...........
ReplyDeleteExperiments mean things will not always work out - you brave non-wimp you! But actually I really like this one and if you did more, maybe with greater contrast I'm sure it will look gorgeous together - just don't get too focussed on the detail. And what's more you are learning so much more doing this - what you like but also what you don't and that's just as important!
ReplyDeleteIts the stripes isn't it that are wrong. I don't think they contrast enough with the floral finger bits! If it had been a black & white stripe, well who knows!
ReplyDeleteI'd prefer a plain back ground. I think there are plenty of options that aren't white or coal. I think I'd have picked one contrasting colour, then given you the fabric to make this block because I could not have done the piecing and made it look like anything other than a dogs breakfast.
ReplyDeleteOooh I don't mind this block. Maybe change the centre circle to the stipe fabbie or a plain colour. Don't give up.
ReplyDeletecontrast and scale
ReplyDeletethe prints are almost too big --as a group- for this block.
How about a brown of some sort or a green to make the leaves pop out?
ReplyDeletePretty block though overall:)
Call me crazy, but I LOVE it! It's a wild mish-mash of colors and prints and stripes and it makes me feel kinda giddy. I got a silly feeling coming over me when I saw the small pic in my reader and HAD to click over and see it full size.
ReplyDeleteI think you have made a big improvement over the first attempt. I disagree with all those who don't like the striped background. I think it rocks! There is plenty of contrast between the background and the rays. (Remember, there are several kinds of contrast: value, shape, hue, intensity...)
ReplyDeleteWhat fails for me in this block is the center. It doesn't differentiate from the rays enough for me. You have one of the rays the same fabric as the center.
And there are (excuse me) probably too many different fabrics. I know you want to use the whole line, but I think less could be better.
I love the way you fussy cut the center purple ray at the top.
Dear Lynne, know I am only trying to be helpful. What this really needs is a variation in scale of pattern in fabric selection. All these patterns are either the same scale, or they are visually busy. You need to find the same "blender" colors in other fabrics.
You've set yourself a difficult problem. Sometimes the solution is to break the rules you have set for yourself. I don't think you will find the success you are looking for if you only use fabrics from this line.
I do agree with you about this: you don't need to use only white, grey or cream as a background.
You're on the right track. Keep going. Go through your stash to find fabrics that complement the ones you have here, and remove the ones (in your current block) that don't work. Good luck!
Lynne
I am with some of the other commenters. I kinda like this one. But they said everything I would say about contrast and such. try this next time...use your camera or phone or whatever and take a picture of the fabrics. then turn the picture to black & white...this will show you value.
ReplyDeleteI'm with Rhonda - I actually kinda like it! But, a bit more contrast might have helped. I know nothing of values and whatnot. (And I studied it in interior design..) When people talk of colour values and "get your colour wheel" I feel like such a numpty... I just take photos before I sew and look at the pictures full size on laptop in another room.. then go back. I do that for layout too.
ReplyDeleteMaybe if you outsourced this block???????
ReplyDeleteI really, really appreciate you posting your projects, Lynne. I am learning from you and your block. You got some great feedback from readers. You'll nail it, I'm sure.
ReplyDeleteI like this. The stripes are subtle and look solid from a short distance. The background could have been a bit lighter, or considerably darker, to provide more contrast, but at least it looks like a single color where the last one had a very visible print. The light green blade at 5:00 is the only one I have a problem with because it blends a bit with the background. You're on the right track, and I love to see you experimenting!
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ReplyDeleteOkay, I'm just a newbie but here are my two cents. I don't think it's that bad. I know some people suggested that your background fabric be lighter or darker, and that may fix it. As is, another option might be to add a ring of fabric around the edge of the center circle to give the center circle an anchor color. Also, like piecemealquilts said, there's something about that green at 5:00. I think if you used it in the center and the center fabric as a finger, it might give more contrast.
ReplyDeleteMaybe the color is too close. What about looking at the color wheel opposite of the primary (focus) color? You did an amazing job with the stripes, but a little blendy. The 9 o'clock and 5 o'clock don't pop enough for me. I agree, can you do a paper/fabric block that you can lay against some fabrics for inspiration?
ReplyDeleteOh, I don't mind a bit that the stripes are going different ways. I think the only thing I might change - not worth ripping btw - would be to choose a darker fabric for the middle circle. Maybe the darker purple/blue that is in some of the arms?
ReplyDeleteI think the problem is that the striped fabric is just too loud. Those prints are very very busy and loud prints, and pairing that shade of green with them, not to mention the fact that since it's a stripe the lines are going every which way, really added a lot more business (and therefore dizziness). I'd recommend a quieter print for the background, maybe try to avoid stripes because when you make a circular design out of stripes they go all over the place. I'd try a tone-on-tone print... those are nice alternatives to solids: still a print, but not too crazy to go with these fabrics. It's not that it looks BAD, it's that it's a little overwhelming. This is way better than the one you posted yesterday with the black and white though... and it takes a lot of guts to try to mix patterns (I usually just go with a solid myself, I'm a wuss).
ReplyDeleteOf course, all the people above me (and also you) probably know a million times more about this than I do ;) So this whole comment might not mean anything
I think the problem is green. The green leaves in the zinnia print are too close to the background. I love how you cut the symmetrical prints on an axis.That extra bit of architecture makes those petals pop.
ReplyDeleteI think the stripes are fine. I think the issue is the center circle -- which is lovely on it sown, but too much with hte stripes and other fabrics. Using the stripes or a solid or a small print for the center circle would make this work.
ReplyDeletep.s. I love that you're asking for feedback and unafraid to say the block isn't doing what you want it to do :)
ReplyDeleteFirst of all...I'm no expert, and I'm a new quilter! So I can only comment on what my eye is drawn to which is the pink flower at 9 o[clock. It is the same as the 2 centre flowers and I find that it throws off the symmetry for me. Does that make sense? You are an amazing quilter and I hope someday to be able to attempt something so intricate.
ReplyDeletePatti
Oh Lynne, don't be so hard on yourself! I love this block and REALLY love that gorgeous fabric. But I don't like that stripy background, it's just a bit blah, and doesn't do anything for the overall effect. I think I nice solid would be lovely (sorry!)
ReplyDeleteI like the stripes in the block. You might try using a fabric with more contrast for the center circle. Keep trying things!!
ReplyDeleteYou've got enough advice here for a month. The design of this block is so WOW and COOL and LYNNE!!! I know you'll come up with the fabric choices that make you happy and that will rock this block.
ReplyDelete10 out of 10 for having the courage to have a go! I find stripes notoriously hard to work in at the best of times (lovely shade of green though). I think you're pretty close with this one, maybe a tiny spot instead of a stripe for the background. It's good that you want to stretch the design boundaries and not just play safe all the time - keep going! Jxo
ReplyDeleteLynne I think that the stripes in the background are fabulous! And I love the rays on the stripe. It's a tiny pin stripe so it does actually have the appearance of a solid or blender.
ReplyDeleteI think what doesn't work is the large floral center. And I think that it could still work as a floral center, it just needs to be fussy cut so that there is still some geometry to the center. To me that is what is throwing the vision off. It needs to be a little less organic.
I like it too!!! :-)
ReplyDeleteUhmmmmm....nothing!! I love it!
ReplyDeletei love it! :) keep it like this!
ReplyDeleteYes, well I'm with Millie and some of the others ... it's mainly about contrast, but I think also using all fabrics from the same collection here doesn't do them or you justice ...
ReplyDeleteThat said, I really like the block. I think I'd just have had one of the purpley ones in the centre, and not repeated in the fingers ... ?
I like the stripe. Look how amazing the gingham looked in your sunflower block!
I tried to leave you a comment earlier but couldn't see the verifier password as my eyes were bleeding. For what it's worth (and I know pretty much nothing) I think you should pick another solid but perhaps in a deep pink and use a smaller pattern in the middle. Says she who loves white and clean and simple lines - so basically you can ignore anything I say. In fact, I don't know why I am still typing ....
ReplyDeleteThis one actually works for me. I like it. It's Zingy (with a Capital Z) but it's great. I think the challenge is to get the balance right and somehow I think you've done it!! The fabrics are amazing, I've never seen them before.
ReplyDeleteI thought I was going to be clever but a few others beat me to it; the tie shapes look good against the background but the centre fabric is wrong, too big a pattern perhaps? What will you do with these blocks?
ReplyDeleteI think it's that they all are the same value. And sometimes, only a solid will do! :) Nothing wrong with that either.
ReplyDelete