Friday, September 6, 2013

Amy Ellis has written her third book, Modern Neutrals and it's on tour this week.  I'm not sure when that girl sleeps!  I think most of you know I love a neutral.  For me, they are calming and sophisticated, but even if you’re a wild color obsessed quilter, as I am on certain days, I'm sure you will find a design in this book that you could paint in your own way. 

That's the great thing about good design and the quilts in this book rely on good design.  Amy has done a great job designing a set of block-based quilts that effectively use value, which is essential when you're not leaning on color.   

My favorite quilt in the book is Slice. 
As some of you know, I love to cut things up and this quilt feeds that urge.  I always wonder what would happen if things were cut apart and put back together and that's just what Amy does in this quilt.  I think the on point setting takes this quilt to the next level as well.  I need to let Amy know that I might have to cut it a couple more times to see what happens?  I think she'd be OK with that!

I also love quilts that create illusions and the Placid Curves quilt does that beautifully. 

Don't you love when simple squares and rectangles create curves?  It's beautiful!

There are 15 projects to choose from in Modern Neutrals.  They're all simple to piece and this book is an 80+ page lesson in using value.

Head here to answer a few questions that may help you win a hard copy of the book and some extras from Amy.  Be sure to read my post carefully and follow along on the rest of the tour.  You'll need some information from the post and the others to answer the questions.


I'll draw one winner to receive a pdf copy of the book.  Just leave a comment and answer the question, how are you at using value in your quilts?

Comments will close Sunday midnight.  Winner on Monday if all goes well!  Comments are now closed!

54 comments:

Jennifer said...

Wow - love both of those quilts! I think I am okay at using value - not great, but have done alright.

sandiqltr said...

I rely on value for choosing fabrics for most of my quilts. I am working on a quilt right now that is all about value. I love both of the quilts you featured!!

Mary said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Mary said...

The Slice is lovely and I do love the curved appearance from the Placid Curves.

I am getting better at the values, but I still have a ways to go with mine.

Rebecca said...

A newbie here, so value is difficult at this stage. Thanks for a chance at this book. I really like Placid Curves. The illusion of curves is wonderful (without sewing curves) :)

giddy99 said...

I think I'm pretty lame at using value, but I've only been quilting for about a year, and I'm learning! LOVE the quilts in this book!

cynthia said...

I am pretty good with value, but I like to break the or stretch the concept somewhat,

Mary Jo said...

Great Quilts. I'm starting to be more aware of value especially when using scraps. These neutrals really show off how value works.

Ann D said...

I think I'm still learning about values when choosing colors...most of the time I wind up with everything medium.

Sequana said...

Ever since I learned to turn my color pics of fabrics I want to use into b/w pics and use that for the values, I've done much better; especially with the close ones.

Missenota aka Kristin S. said...

I'm pretty amateurish when it comes to fabric choices but I do know the trick of taking a digital photo of the fabrics and filtering it to black & white. If it still looks good there, I'm ready to go!

Pat said...

I'm not good at values at all but I'm trying to improve. Both of the quilts you show in your post today are great, but Placid Curves is just downright awesome. I'm going to have to get that book!!

Anonymous said...

I'm with Rebecca and Pat, value is a bit of a challenge for me because I am so attracted to patterns and prints. But I'm learning that they look better on stage with lots of supporting neutrals, negative space, or quieter values. I tend to choose a palette and work with a range of values within it.

What Comes Next? said...

I'm getting better! I used to use a lot of medium values, so very little definition, then I went high contrast - over compensation, although sometimes very effective, now I'm finally feeling more comfortable!
Love those two quilts you've showcased!

Anonymous said...

I think I do okay. I haven't made that many quilts yet. I use what I like to see together and none has ever said it is blah. Of course, no one has ever said WOW either.

senstrings (@) yahoo (dot) com

Gill said...

I like Placid Curves - the illusion of curves appeals to me!
I don't think I'm especially confident with value!

Kristy said...

I have only been seriously quilting for about 6 months, so I am still trying to learn value in the variety of colors I use. I've always considered myself an artist, but just haven't been able to find my true medium. When I discovered quilting, I discovered my medium! And now I can't stop!

KMSC said...

I like a lot of contrast when choosing fabrics for my quilts, especially if there is a definite pattern. Thanks for the chance to win this great book.
k.castanette@hotmail.com

Cool Lizzie said...

Value is a challenge for me. I am very aware of it, but often struggle to achieve the look I want - sigh....
but, I keep trying!

Thanks for the chance to win!

Elizabeth
boltonia55@yahoo.com

Cheryl said...

I think that I am okay at using value in a quilt but definietly have room to grow

Cecilia said...

I'm still working on that, but I am getting better.

Rachael said...

I think I am getting better with value but I would not say I am totally confident about it yet!

with thanks, Rachael

Sharon S said...

Value is something continue to work on. Love the quilts you talked about today.

Nessa said...

Not very good at all I'm afraid. I didn't notice that my medium was actually a dark until I had finished binding in my most recent quilt.

Kathy in GA said...

I'm terrible at value - seems I mostly work in the middle - but I'm trying to work on that!

Tiffany said...

I guess I'm not very good at using value. I've never made anything "low volume only." I tend to make things with lots of color and lots of white/cream.

Mego said...

I am 'OK' at using value but definitely getting better. It has been hard to 'move' from mostly medium...I think a lot of it are the 'rules'. No beige and white together. Use the same types of fabrics. I'm definitely getting better at throwing the whole thing at the wall and seeing if I like it...regardless.

Barbie Mills said...

Like a lot of others I could use some practice with value. Doing something all in neutrals would definitely require practice with it! The quilts in this book look fantastic!

Anonymous said...

I think I'm pretty good with using value in my quilts....though it really depends on my mood! But, there's always room in my wee brain to learn more!
Thanks for a chance at the give-away. Awesome book!
Maureen
mgw070 at shaw dot ca

Barbe said...

i'm still learning how with quilting, but i do tend to let the fabrics tell my eye and i take black and white photos too, that helps, but the more i have to learn the more i get to make quilts;)

Judy Johnson said...

It's so comforting to read all these comments from people who are learning/growing in quilting and choosing fabrics and using value. I too am new - and have a great time trying ideas I find in blogs. I've tried the photos in black and white - and that helps. I've tried using 2 strong colours together - and the jury is still out.

troy and christina said...

These are fantastic quilts. I have to confess I have a few too many projects with too much "medium" value.

Diane said...

My sister taught me quilting and one of the first things she taught me was value, value, value. It has served me well.

Tamie said...

I know the importance of value in my quilts and I'm trying to get better at it. Proper use makes a huge difference.

SewLindaAnn said...

I'm just okay with it. I have saved a tutorial on creating a shattered looking block with values to get better at putting it together.

Afton Warrick said...

I'm good at value, but I'd like to incorporate more variety into my low value selections, rather than always using Know snow or white.

Kathryn said...

I try my hardest, but when I finish a quilt, I always seem to see where I could have used value to better enhance the design. It is very important.

Robyn of Coffee and Cotton said...

I'm sort of a fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants type of quilt planner. Good value is often a happy accident. I really should pay closer attention! :-)

Unknown said...

Thank you for giving us some insight into the wonderful book. I think there is much I can learn and hope to soon have it in my library...appreciate it.

dbcraddock@earthlink.net said...

I'm doing good these days with using values. It is surprising, sometimes, when you think you've 'got it' only to realize when you see the finished block that you didn't. Everyday is a another day to learn something new or improve on something you already do or know.

Carla G said...

I love Placid Curves - what a fabulous pattern! I'm just learning about using value in my quilts, as I haven't done much quilting yet and am still learning. :)

Debbie said...

Love the first pattern. I am a novice at using value.

Leigh Ann Mahaffie said...

I'm terrible at value...I see color. I need the 80+ page lesson this book provides!

Kim said...

I can handle value when the spirit moves me. I am a person of extremes and but that can be tiring. Must be why I am drawn to the neutrals in both patterns- simplicity

MoeWest said...

I'm not too bad at selecting value. I didn't realize the Placid Curves quilt has no curved pieces the first time I saw it. It's great!

Julie said...

I'm trying to become more aware of how different values can change a quilt. When I do "it" right, the quilt will really sing.

Ann said...

Great quilts.
I squint a lot in selecting fabric to get the value differences I am looking for that will help a design or secondary pattern show up in my quilt.

Lisa E said...

I'm not great at using value, but I'm getting better. I know some tricks, but I don't take them time to use them!

Beth said...

I have done a couple quilts where I have focused on value. It is always a good lesson. Love the quilts from the book. Thanks

bioyarn said...

In the Placid quilt, is the illusion of curves created by the value of fabric choices or from the piecing?
I have lots to learn!

Karen said...

I think I'm pretty good at using and manipulating values, but I have not had much experience with using a monochromatic color palette.

Unknown said...

amazing book! I try to use value in my quilts but am not always successful! I am in love with the placid curves quilt and would love to attempt it - thanks for the chance to win!

LYNN said...

Love, love these quilts!

Karen in Breezy Point said...

I've made a lot of mistakes over the years regarding value. Now If I'm unsure , I use the ruby beholder--it's saved me many times!