There are many things to consider when choosing fabric for a project. Our first blog post was focused on color, but today we will focus on the type of fabric designs that make for dynamic fussy/focus cutting. One of the more challenging aspects of a complex block like the Esther block is that you have to consider how each round of fabric is reacting to the one next to it. Having a variety of types of fabric designs will give you a lot of different design elements to work with.
When we are purchasing fabric these are some things we look for:
Scale:
It is nice to have a variety of scale in one block...
Take this block for example. The larger outline leaves in the center star contrast nicely against the next round of a smaller print turqoise fabric. And in the next row the large stripe is a nice contrast to the turq as well as the tight orange/pink detail in the corner diamonds.
(This is a block from Laura's Pemberely Quilt, a beautiful pattern designed by Ava and Neve)
Large Scale:
In the Esther blocks Laura is currently working on, she chose to use many prints by Anna Marie Horner. One thing that attracted her to them was the shear scale of some of these prints- they are really big!!
They are fun to use because using a small portion of these very large prints gives you TONS of interesting fussycutting options.
This large scale gives you an array of cutting opportunities that can make very dynamic design elements.
Here are two blocks that use that same fabric with very different results
The hand print fabric above is used in the outer diamonds in this block
The center jewel shapes contains two fingers from the same print.
Geometric/Stripes:
We are also a huge fans of incorporating stripes into epp blocks and stripes fall into the larger catagory of geometric prints. The linear edges of geometic designs can add a strong design motif within a block.
The stripes in the hexagon shape really add to the sense of outward movement.
Sara used a stripe set on a diaginal to great effect in this block
A geometric fabric can give a nice contrast against a floral....The stripes in the small half hexi's in the center area give a nice radiating effect while the checkerboard print in the outer diamonds affords a pleasing contast to the circular motif in the large half hexi's.
Negative Space/Resting Prints:
A lesson we have been learning with our current Ester blocks is the importance of some resting prints. Some fabrics Laura has used for "resting" patterns have lots of background like these two.....
In some of Laura's blocks she has even used it as a solid fabric. Laura tends to be a "more is more" kinda gal, but as she continues to play with this block she has realized that a resting area can make a more specactular area of the block really stand out ...
Sara has also used this technique. The large half hexi's are mostly solid with just a touch of the design which adds a delightful border to this block.
Not everything must be fussy cut!
Sometimes it is nice to have a section that is not fussycut, so small overall patterns are a nice addition to your fabric pull and can also serve as a resting area.
Laura used an overall pattern in the large outer half hexi's in this block which gives the eye a resting spot,eventhough it is a dynamic fabric.
"How much fabric to buy?"
This is a common question we are asked and it really boils down to how many repeats are you buying. When the person behind the counter at the quilting store asks me this question I ask them to unfold the bolt a bit so I can see how many repeats I am getting
You can see in this fabric above I have 6 repeats. Keep in mind each round in our Esther block requires 6 repetition of each shape, so if you are interested in doing some focuscutting make sure to have enough motifs to play with. With some of the Anna Marie Hroner fabric Laura had to buy at least a yard (sometimes more!) to have enough repeats.
In Conclusion
Jen Murphy @jenthepiecemaker, a quilter we are in awe of, recently said in one of her posts on Instagram that "she simply buys fabric that makes her heart sing". Finding fabrics that excite you and makes you think what if... that is the ultimate key for unlocking the fun!
Hope this post gives you some new things to think about as you pull fabic for your blocks. Looking forward to September.