Monday, November 11, 2013

Mini in 3D!


I've loved seeing everyone's minis and couldn't decide what to do for mine. Then I saw this pattern and knew exactly what I was going to do...an optical illusion mini!
Cubit from Stitched Together Studios
The quilt pattern measures 69-1/2" square, so I had to do a little math to shrink the design down to the 12" challenge size. I decided to make just the center four blocks. 

Our weather has been a bit gray and dreary lately, so I gravitated toward bright oranges and yellows for my made fabric. These were the colors of our leaves last week...after the rain (and snow flurries!); they're mostly brown now.

I wasn't sure what colors I wanted to use for the sides of the focal squares, so I auditioned multiple options. It seemed like the obvious answer was to go with some type of grays/blacks, so I tried several of those, experimenting to see if patterned prints would work. I also threw in a couple colored versions to see how they'd look. 
I was glad I auditioned so many different choices, and while I liked my first choice (upper left--gray solid and darker gray scroll) best, I was surprised at some of the others that I liked as well--especially the pink and purple; it just wasn't the look I was going for with this project.

I played around a bit more in Photoshop to see how the different blocks would look (I realize in real life the blocks would be mirror images...these are just quick mock-ups where I copied, pasted and rotated one block three more times.)






Which do you like best? I think I'm going to go with the top version, but I'm going to sleep on it first before I start sewing again, and would love to hear your opinion!






13 comments:

Glen QuiltSwissy said...

I like the top one as well. Very creative

Helen in the UK said...

I prefer the strong contrast of the first option. Look like a very interesting project :)

Margaret said...

How interesting & thanks for your detailed process, too! (Don't have Photoshop to play around like this.) There are several that I like and would probably choose the third one down.

Julierose said...

Oh I like all the versions! Especially No 3 if i had to choose--which I'm glad I don't (lol)! Great block!! Hugs, Julierose

sforme said...

I like the 3rd one down, but enjoyed the auditioning process.

sforme said...

I like the 3rd one down, but enjoyed the auditioning process.

sforme said...

I like the 3rd one down, but enjoyed the auditioning process.

roccagal said...

the top one is the top one for me too!

Helen said...

I like the top one for illusion, but I would also like to see the dark gray scroll paired with the gray dot fabric in the bottom one just for fun. Sounds like you are enjoying this challenge!!

Wendy said...

I actually like the more muted bottom two. Having fun? Wendy

Debbie said...

I like the first one best. I think it gives the strongest 3D illusion.

Tracey said...

If your heart tells you to go with the 1st version, I agree with Helen - the tiny pindot might be a great match for the scroll fabric. I also really like the 3rd combo because the print has tiny little pops of the orange color. On the other hand, if you have enough of the print to put in a tiny little border, that might wrap it up nicely. Tracey

ellen gets crafty said...

What a great job - I love the first one, it really catches your eye!