The mystery quilt is coming along very well. I love how the quilt looks and how well the whole pattern is coming together. I can’t wait for you guys to make one. Please hold for the release – Coming Soon!
I wrote a funny introduction to the mystery which dates back to the 1500s and a blacksmith called Guillermo (el Toro) Reyes. What fun it was to make up!
The greatest challenge of writing a mystery quilt is describing the fabrics needed to create the quilt. Without seeing a sample, the detective sewers are required to get fabric based on my written clues alone. Now that is scary for anyone – even a maverick quilter!
Because I want everyone to base the quilt on a large-print fabric that they love, I have to categorize the fabric based on the value and pattern, rather than color. If the quilt was simply a blue & white quilt that would be easy, but. of course, my quilt is more esoteric.
One of the fabrics that does an important job in the quilt in what I call a light giver. I don’t know where I learned this term, but I rely on these magical fabrics to create space, shine and glow in a quilt.
Are you thinking: What?!
Hold on and I’ll explain. A light giver is a fabric that has light, medium and dark in a single fabric. Of course, any light value fabric can create light in a quilt when paired with dark fabrics, but the light givers seem to glow from the inside out.
In the mystery quilt, I am trying to create a sense of lightness in a place where four blocks join. Using the light givers, I can use different fabrics and have them really brighten the corners and create a secondary image.
I encourage you to use quirky and unusual fabrics. I think it really makes for fun visual play and adds whimsy to your work.
Izzy Pop says
January 23, 2013 at 8:13 pmWhere did you find the lemon and strawberry fabrics?
maverickquilts says
January 24, 2013 at 11:45 amI got them at the Cotton Patch in Lafayette, California. It was a long time ago, but they do carry a great selection of food fabrics! Good Luck!