Matching up seams and creating sharp points when working with triangles is one of the cardinal tenants of intermediate and advanced quilting, but it can also be one of the most frustrating exercises to attain a perfect shape. Triangle fabric shapes have the additional complication of biased, stretchy edges that a quilter must work with when sewing together. Mastering the point is an advanced feat, but there are a few artists who make the quilting point look simple.
Folded Flyers by Karen Bolan and Cathleen Wolford
Bolan says about this quilt: “One of my strategies for dealing with insomnia is to focus on geometric shapes. One night, the flying geese I was imagining started turning into 3D geese flying off a flat surface in flocks that overlapped and fought each other. I had to get up and document this idea before I could get to sleep. I chose to use the folded flying geese method to get the 3D texture, and played with color combinations that make my eyes vibrate.” M.C. Escher might approve.
It’s My Birthday! by Evie Jespersen
The larger sized flying geese blocks that are interspersed into this quilt give it the illusion of movement. Additional depth and texture are seen in the way Jespersen has used color. The graduation of dark blues into yellows and reds creates a feeling of geese flying through the dark of early morning into the sunrise.
Maverickby Amy Ellis
Maverick has a feeling of celebration about it. From the confetti remnants leftover from a circus or a party to pennant flags or blinking lights the triangles of this quilt are full of fun and happiness.
Riptide by Rebecca Bryan
Bryan says that one of her design secrets is that almost anything looks good when repeated.Riptide is definitely an excellent example. The quilt is especially interesting because of the way Bryan uses other geometric shapes within her repeating triangles. The combination results in a wave effect.
Love Letters by Karen Griska
Griska’s unusual combination of triangles has an air of origami. In addition to ‘love letters,’ it seems there are high flying kites in this quilt. The floating triangles add an interesting frame to the whole.
Balancing Act by Stephanie Zacharer Ruyle
Balancing Acthas strong mid-century vibes. The juxtaposition of the triangles and rounded squares creates a strong sense of push and pull. Ruyle says, “Keeping everything in balance requires constant care, an open perspective, and a willingness to try and occasionally fail. In the end, sometimes being off-balance will get you to where you eventually want to go.” We like very much whereBalancing Act is going.
The Gander Seeks His Way by J. Travis Seward
Seward says he is a maximalist and that working on large complex projects using bold colors and pattern upon pattern energizes him. He also says that this quilt represents his life journey: usually focused, occasionally lost, and always exploratory. The earthy colors and strong points give this quilt a tribal feeling.
Find these quilts and more when you purchase your own digital copy ofCurated Quilts: ‘Triangles’.
By Brittany Bowen Burton