Sunday 1 August 2021

Opposite Day

 I had a very hard time with this theme -- each pair of opposites I thought of (curvy/straight, thick/thin, vintage/modern) seemed to cancel each other out. I could picture them in a nice background pattern, but not in an interesting focal image.

Then I thought of "Opposite Day," which we used to do for fun when my kids were small (usually on a rainy summer day).  You would think of all your normal routines and try to do them opposite.  Eat popsicles for breakfast, write backwards with your non-dominant hand, etc.

It was fun to approach my usual quilting process from the "opposite" direction, and try new techniques.  Usually I have some sort of representational image, so I thought it would be "opposite" for me to just use simple geometric shapes.  I chose this image for a composition inspiration:

I clipped this from a magazine years ago; I am not sure of its original source.

I decided to make my quilt sandwich inside out, using painted batting for the top layer, and then doing reverse applique, with the fabrics of the middle layer revealed.

"Opposite Day", a small art quilt based on reversing my usual quilt process.

Detail showing the dyed, painted, and stitched surface.

I think this quilt would have been a good solution to our Texture challenge as well.  I had fun re-thinking my quilting habits!

You can read more about how I made this piece at my blog, Deep in the Heart of Textiles.

14 comments:

  1. That is fantastic. It really draws me in and I love the colour of blood red wine and bright blue. I've never heard of opposite day before but I love the idea.

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  2. What a fantastic idea - I really love where it took you! There are so many wonderful contrasts here between the colours, or the curved or pointed shapes, and the textures - I really want to run my fingers over it because the circles top right and bottom left look so much as if they have a hard jewel-like quality rather than being soft and fabric!

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    1. As I have been looking at everyone else's contribution, I have been noticing that, besides the main opposite in their piece, additional opposites crept in -- color wheel opposites, texture opposites, etc. But until I read your comment, I never thought of the contrasts in my own piece! So thank you!

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  3. What a fascinating process. Great idea, and a great interpretation of the theme.

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  4. I love the idea of having an opposite day and it was inspired of you to take that and apply it to quilt making. It sounds like a fun process and the finished piece looks great. I love the vibrancy of the jewels and the textured effect of the stitching on the painted batting and reverse applique :)

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    1. Thank you, Janine! Once I came up with the idea, I had fun making it.

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  5. This is so clever - I didn't even think of opposite day! It is fun to look at this piece and see all the texture. This looks like an enjoyable, yet challenging process. Well done!

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    1. Thank you, Wendy! I was glad to cross a "someday" technique off my list. I always enjoy that aspect of these challenges!

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  6. Wonderful idea. Love the painted batting.

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    1. Thank you, Debbi! It is easy to do, you just have to plan in drying time. :)

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  7. I am always amazed at how your imagination knows no bounds when facing. these quilting challenges! What a fantastic idea and how well it came out!

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    1. Thank you, Maureen! It is always fun to experiment freely! :)

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