Tuesday, December 8, 2020

When More is Not Better

 

This is most likely the final layout. I know that odd numbers work best, but I'm not sure a see a place for a fifth bird. (I am NOT open for suggestions about this.)

In one of the comments recently, Lynne N asked why I did not simply use a horizontal strip looking like a ribbon to disguise the horizontal seam. The answer is simple. EACH BOX in this quilt has a vertical "ribbon." When the eye scans the quilt, all those boxes are the same size and shape. It sets up a kind of rhythm, a repetition of elements that are exactly the same (except for color). It's a rhythm I like, and have mentioned in the past. It's actually the reason why I decided to make these boxes.

If I were to insert a horizontal stripe, not only would the eye see it RIGHT AWAY since it would be a big variation in what is already here, but it would break that rhythm that I like so much. It's adding one more element and in this case, it would be a distraction.

This is also the reason why the boxes are the same size and shape and arranged in strict rows and columns, and not alternated, in rows of 6, then 5, then 6, etc., like Judy in Michigan suggested yesterday.

That rhythm is also why (I'm pretty sure) the quilt will not have a border of any kind, or any other kind of new element, like an asterisk or two or three. 

This quilt is an example of when More is Not Better (and I am having second thoughts about the fourth bird I showed you yesterday). You all know me for going over the top. When I can get away with it, I do. In this quilt, I don't want MORE STUFF. I don't think this quilt needs it.

You may not have noticed it, but there is a pattern to the arrangement of boxes. The arrangement is by color and it is fairly regular. The reds and greens are separated by a light or brightly patterned print. The red and green blocks follow a diagonal from upper left to lower right. 

That arrangement of colors is another rhythm. You are not aware of it, but your brain sees it. 

Oh! Did you catch the change I made?

I decided the little gold bird has to go. And that "solid tan" box is really cream with a gold swirly print on it. It is very noticeable in real life, but hard to photograph. I never use solids.

This is probably it.

Probably. (I'm still not sold on those round peppermint candies fabric that looks so pink...). You have to remember. I make the quilts I want to make. I liked the rhythm of the boxes, so that is the quilt I am making. You may think it would look better with any number of variations. They very well might. But that is not the quilt that I want to make. You go do your thing, it won't hurt my feelings. I'm quite sure you could turn this thing on its head sixteen ways to Sunday and make it look really cool. Not my jam.

Besides, I've already played with different sizes of boxes, trees, asterisks and birds and letters.  Been there, done that. Got the quilt to prove it.


My son said to me once, about another quilt I was making years and years ago, "Mom, you REALLY thought about this didn't you?" Yes dear. "And this," he pointed. Yup. He looked up at me. "You think about Every Little Thing?" Yeah. If it's in one of my quilts it's because I put it there (or left it there) or left it out on purpose. 






12 comments:

Dorothy said...

Love it. You are such a master ! I have always leaned to "odd numbers", be it quilting, gardening, painting. I am so glad that you listen to your "eye". It makes it all so enjoyable for the rest of us. And it teaches us a lesson every time :-)

Clarelou said...

Such vehemence!

slrquilts said...

Love itπŸŽ…πŸΌπŸŽ„πŸŽ

Mickey's Musings said...

3 or 4 birds, the quilt looks great!

Shirley said...

I love it! Those birds are perfect!

JustGail said...

I'm liking this quilt, and appreciate your explanations of why (or not) things make it into your quilts. Even if only "I said so", or "my quilt my way, your quilt your way." :-)

As to why no crosswise ribbon on the box that was pieced - I'm always amazed how much my brain overlooks pieced bits in a quilt. It has to be pretty obvious for me to register - like piecing stripes and getting one bit going the other direction.

Bridget said...

(wink, wink) if you added another bird the deer would be overwhelmed! lol Seriously I love it just the way it is. and you love it and that is really all that matters when it is my quilt.

Ruth said...

*sigh* I think this is the fourth time today I've come back just to gaze upon your beautiful box-y creation. Wait, that first red and white box from yesterday's post says, 'upper sleeve' 'under sleeve' 'front' 'back' 'collar' etc.! A designer combined a sewing pattern with the white lyre and leaf pattern. Amazing. Ok, I'm off.

Linda Swanekamp said...

Love all the thought and process that went into this. Even with soup, you have to be selective and thoughtful on what gets tossed in.

Bambi Pearson said...

I think it's lovely Lynne. Your vision of how it should look is your choice. Love it!

Julia G said...

I like the Happy Holidays quilt! Very fun.

Brenda, Bend, Or., USA said...


Hi! Just want to tell you I agree with how you go about creating your very own ideas in quilts. THREE BIRDS DO LOOK MUCH BETTER THAN FOUR OR FIVE. THE THREE ADD JUST WHAT YOUR DESIGN NEEDED! I APPROVE YOUR DESIRE TO MAKE YOUR OWN QUILTS YOUR WAY! I FEEL THE SAME! HAPPY HOLIDAYS!