Monday 26 January 2009

Black and white and words all over

It's time to make sentences out of my words. I've been building words for my Words Fail Me project for a year now, and I'd like to get this to a flimsy stage before I head off on a quilt retreat this weekend. (I can hardly wait. Making quilts, admiring others' work, and eating without cooking it first is so great.) Yesterday I laid it out in a sort of random log cabin style, with an oasis of calm in the middle. I didn't get all the words in this shot, but you get the idea.
Here's another go, with the lights and darks separated. It's not quite there yet either.
I've tried designing it with Wordle and those designs look great on paper, but are harder to translate to fabric. I definitely need some white space. I don't mind if the words are a bit hard to read (that's sort of the point) but I'm not sure exactly where to go with this.

So I put the words away for a bit and started cutting strips off my B/W collection to make a table runner or topper with matching tea cosy for a prize draw for my son's school. It looked too dull, so I put some orange/pink/yellow prints inside the frames for a bit more fun. What's a good size for a table runner?

13 comments:

Desiree said...

I think a table runner should be about 45" long and at least 12" wide, but that is just a personal preference! I've seen some as little as placemat sized labeled "table toppers" so to each his own.

I LOVE your words idea, I would never have thought of doing anything like that. I can't wait to see it when you make more progress, it is so interesting!

Joyce said...

Putting words together is always a big challenge. With so many I'm sure you'll come up with something. I love the black and white and the colored prints totally make it work.

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

The runner I just finished is 14" by 50" and that seems to be a pretty standard size.

Millie said...

I love your words, and am eager to see how you put them together. And I am with you about when you're stuck, move to something else.

Tonya Ricucci said...

On that second layout, would you put darker bits of fabric in to separate the words? that would give you little hits of color and help tie the whole thing together. and how about light in the top corner flowing towards the dark at the bottom. That way the weight wouldn't be at the top of it. try laying it out and including the bits that would go between the words. You're making great progress on this quilt - love it.

Anonymous said...

I can't wait to see you words quilt when it is done. It is going to be awesome!

I just wanted to let you know about our 2009 Quilt Retreat Getaway Weekend which is held in Belmont, Wisconsin at The Travel Center Convention Hall and Baymont Inn and Suites on November 6, 7 and 8, 2009. The details are on my webpage at Quilts by barb or on my blogspot at Visit Quiltsbybarb quilt retreat blogspot

We would appreciate if you would help us pass on this information and we would love to have you join us!

Barbara Raisbeck,
Owner of Quilts by Barb

Quiltdivajulie said...

I'll have a go at describing what I see in my head - you may understand my thoughts (or not):

2d photo with the lights and darks in opposing corners --

work from the center out and insert strips of contrasting fabrics between the word rows, possibly alternating widths, to create a continuous square cornered winding line that works its way around and around towards the outer edge - like the grecian key look ... am I making ANY sense here?

I can sketch what I "see" in my head and e-mail it if you are at all curious.

I really like the log cabin feel of the second photo, but adding non-wordy color(s) where the hardwood is showing through now might bring it all together.

YankeeQuilter said...

Love how your word quilt is coming along. The table runner is very fun - black and white certainly is big this year! I like them no wider than 16 inches and at least 30 inches long....

Myra said...

I shall have to try putting words together some day. Looks like fun! 8-)
Lots of great gifts you got there, and your Friday Block Party block looks great! 8-)
Sorry to hear you have neck and back pain from an accident last week. I hope you feel some relief soon...
Happy stitchings and take it easy on yourself... 8-)

Selvage Quilter said...

Wow, I love the words, and can't wait to see what you do with them. I think I know what Julie is suggesting, and that sounds nice.

This is the kind of quilt you can't walk away from until you finish reading all the words, and kinda figure it out. I love it.

Karen

Amy said...

I like this, I have been afraid of trying the letters. but I think I need to try for borders or something. wouldn't it be neat to do one like a crossword puzzle? oo you gave me inspiration. thanks have a great day

Cher said...

I really like all your words-how fun to play around with them to see different ideas-you have been given some great suggestions. enjoy that retreat!
a pop of color always works so great with b/w

Brenda said...

I laughed in the one picture where the words at the bottom say 'words fail me' - that is funny!! Especially when you are having trouble figuring out to place the 'words' in your quilt!!

I love 'em!! Are you going to call this quilt "Scrabble"??

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