Monday, February 13, 2012

On My Design Wall...

I've been working on a design I found in the book "Opt-Art Quilts" by Marilyn Doheny.  

First I made the strata.  There are actually two strata - an A and a B.  They are essentially the same thing only the two colors are reversed in their order.




Once I had this done, I moved on to the next step which is counter cutting the two.  This is where each strata starts to differ.  One is cut to a certain size, the other a different size, which is what gives you the illusion when they are sewn together.




Next, I began piecing the two together.  The smallest strips finish at just 1/4 inch so you can see how important it is to have been meticulous in cutting, pressing and sewing the first strips.  



Just keep piecing the strips together according to the design.

 




Eventually I had the completed illusion below.




I'll keep working on finishing it out, but in the meantime I have received the fabric for one of my designs that has been booked for a magazine later this year.  Once I get a publication date, I'll post more information.  This is one of three I'm booked for and I'm really excited to see a few more of my designs make it out into the world!

I hope everyone has a great day!

Until our corners meet again,

-- Alison

19 comments:

  1. Wow! Is this your design? I am lusting after that book! LOL. You bet, baby!

    glen

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This is one of her designs. There is a chapter that tells you how to make up your own, I'm going to try that next! Very good book, she makes this super simple.

      Delete
  2. I will certainly have to check out that book. What a fabulous quilt! I love optical illusions and making one in fabric would be awesome! Grat job!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wow, that looks intimidating! Are the curves all part of the illusion?

    ReplyDelete
  4. This is so cool! I have that book somewhere in my library. Jus the other day I was thinking about another Marilyn Doheny quilt I did years ago, a Bargello Heart. I need to go look for it too --- You are doing a wonderful job with this quilt!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Your work and meticulousnous (is that a real word?!) has been well worth it - the quilt is stunning!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thanks you guys, It really is simple, it all boils down to basic sewing... good cutting, good pressing and a good consistant seam allowance. She goes into great detail on these things. It was an excellent refresher, I tend to get lazy and on this kind of quilt you have to be detail oriented.

    ReplyDelete
  7. how very clever... who would have thought you could get such a cool design from a few strips and meticulousnousness!

    ReplyDelete
  8. What a cool quilt from just 2 solid colors and strips.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Wow, this looks great! Where did you find this magic book?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Barb, I bought the book used from Amazon but I see that Marilyn Doheny sells them new for less on her web site.

      Delete
  10. Wow is right. I think I'd have a very difficult time sewing the strips back together with the wild pattern it creates. Congrats on your work being out there! Sandi

    ReplyDelete
  11. Such a cool quilt! Spray starch would definitely be your friend when making this one.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jane you are so right, and a new blade in the rotary cutter helps a ton too.

      Delete
  12. Wow!!! What a great 3D effect. Very nice work.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Wow this is absolutely amazing... I would be cross eyed trying to put something like this together

    ReplyDelete
  14. I'm late with this but had to tell you that I love your optical illusion quilt! I looked up the book and ordered it from Amazon--Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Soooo Coool! This quilt top looks awesome!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Wow that one is so nice.
    Love to make it one day

    ReplyDelete