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Monday, October 17, 2011

Stepping Back

For me, a design wall is so important to my process.  My new studio has two 4x8 sheets of foam insul-board covered and it's great for putting pieces up, but stepping back is also important.  What I mean by stepping back is being able to move back from your design wall, to see value, shapes, and layout.  In my studio, if I scrunch myself back in the corner I can only get about 5 feet away and today I learned that it's not enough.
I worked all weekend to get this top put together and I thought I had the layout nailed.  After it was all sewn together and hung in the living room I noticed some problems.  It doesn't flow from bottom right to top left like I wanted and one of the orange strips isn't right at all.  Closer up, it worked.  Stepping back, not so much.
It won't take much to fix it, but I learned a lesson today.  I may need to rearrange again.
I'll admit, I was hurrying a bit too...I wanted that quilt off the design wall so I could get the bridges quilt up.  I have three sections completed and I'm itching to keep building!

Have a great week!
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24 comments:

  1. Dan ROctober 17, 2011 at 11:36 AM

    i am so excited about your bridges. more please ;]

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  2. CoryOctober 17, 2011 at 11:43 AM

    Jacquie, Have you tried taking a digital picture of your layout? I do that especially when I want to compare different layouts. A picture also shows where a quilt might look heavy on one side or the other. That or a reducing glass might be helpful. Good luck on figuring something out. Take care and God bless, Cory

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  3. Miki WillaOctober 17, 2011 at 11:43 AM

    I know what you mean about being able to step back. I have finally arranged it so I can get back about 10 feet, which is not ideal, but much better than it was. I am really liking this quilt, and am looking forward to the bridges quilt.

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  4. Archie The Wonder DogOctober 17, 2011 at 11:46 AM

    The best I can manage is to lay blocks on the floor and then climb a fee stairs - not very satisfactory at all! Could you look through the wrong end of some binoculars or do you need to see it with your own eye rather than through something? Love the look of your bridges!

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  5. VivianOctober 17, 2011 at 12:12 PM

    Before rearranging your room, try using a reducing glass or peep hole (purchased from a hardware store) to see if it helps with viewing your quilts in the space you already have. They may give you that much "less" of a perspective at the distance you currently have to get a good look at your designs.

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  6. DebbieOctober 17, 2011 at 12:26 PM

    You have the most amazing project ideas and continue to inspire me!!

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  7. LauraOctober 17, 2011 at 12:43 PM

    I think the layout looks great, but I know what you mean about stepping back. I have to do that too. My design walls are covered foam board also, but not attached, so I can move them down the hall or into the living room where I can step back. Also, the digital picture idea has worked for me as well.

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  8. LSSOctober 17, 2011 at 1:20 PM

    Love the bridges! interesting suggestions in the comments. Must ponder.

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  9. twelfthzodiacOctober 17, 2011 at 1:59 PM

    Yes, a peephole is what you need! I got one (same problem, I can't get far enough away!) & it is awesome.

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  10. KateKwiltzOctober 17, 2011 at 2:49 PM

    I have an idea. How wide is your desk?

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  11. Live a Colorful LifeOctober 17, 2011 at 3:09 PM

    Wow I love these quilts. The orange strips rock! i can't wait to see more of the bridges. And how you change up the first quilt...

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  12. DorisOctober 17, 2011 at 3:09 PM

    Enjoying seeing bits of your new home and studio!

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  13. AnonymousOctober 17, 2011 at 3:21 PM

    My mom uses the eye piece of a peep hole so she can see value and layout in her quilts from a short distance away. I think that's GENIUS and I'm going to get one myself. I'm surprised how far away it makes a quilt look and you can really get a good idea about value and layout with it...see what seems out of place and what sticks out or if it all gels together.

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  14. MariQuiltsOctober 17, 2011 at 3:24 PM

    Love those bridges.....and I know what you mean about stepping back far enough...challenging in a small space.

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  15. TeriOctober 17, 2011 at 5:18 PM

    Ugh....I had the same problem. Now I have a worse problem about 2 feet.I finally found a peep hole it works beautifully.

    I love the bridges quilt.....

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  16. Alexis DeiseOctober 17, 2011 at 7:01 PM

    I know how you feel. I have to lay things out on my floor usually -- to combat the distortion, I sometimes take a photo from above and then look at the picture... not a great or convenient tactic. :) I love the bridges so much. Can't wait to see them all together.

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  17. Esch House QuiltsOctober 17, 2011 at 9:58 PM

    I can get about 8 feet away from my design wall. I usually take a picture too.

    I love both these quilts!

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  18. JulieOctober 17, 2011 at 10:28 PM

    Those bridges are A.M.A.Z.I.N.G!!!!

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  19. MaritOctober 18, 2011 at 2:05 AM

    Love your diagonal composition!!! The narrow red strips are a beautiful touch, ant the overall design is both playful and balanced.
    So glad you can work those lovely big design walls again...
    ; )

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  20. Jennifer Mathis of Ellison LaneOctober 18, 2011 at 11:34 AM

    I love seeing your process - you are so inspiring to me!

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  21. krislovesfabricOctober 18, 2011 at 11:39 AM

    LOVE the bridges!!!!

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  22. audreypawdreyOctober 18, 2011 at 11:44 AM

    I am glad you posted about this because it is something that I have struggled with as well. We are trying to sell our house, so I don't currently have a sewing space (except the kitchen table) and definitely don't have a design wall. I have struggled with getting far enough away to see how things are going, but I have picked up some tips from your comments that I am going to try! Please share what ends up working for you because it will probably help us as well! I am loving your bridge quilt!

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  23. JanOctober 18, 2011 at 6:16 PM

    That happens to me with fabric design b/c I can't see it enough of it in the right scale. I do a crazy amount of printing and piecing to see what's what. Love those fabrics ;) - if you need more, lemme know!

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  24. AdeleOctober 19, 2011 at 12:23 AM

    I think your logo looks like a train (Tallgrass Prairie Studio) on a bridge....

    Peep hole will work fine for your small space.

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So, what are you thinking? (please don't put links in your comments...the spam police like to grab them and hide them away! if you want to share a link, feel free to email me.