Filling Blank Space

   Every quilter defines blank space differently..this quilter believes a blank space is any space that causes my mind to draw a blank. Sometimes the hardest part of quilting is choosing the 'right design for the space.' I confess, I do not quilt like other quilters do, so blank spaces don't scare me. As for 'the right design', every design is a right design..the only limitation is your own imagination.

   A doodler at heart, I am prone to draw the quilt spaces and scribble this and that until something just screams YES. While I love to fill and fiddle with various designs on paper, I know that what works on the paper doesn't always translate well on the fabric. Sometimes, less is more. For example, I played with several designs for the blue block baby quilt pictured above. In the end simply outlining the blocks and sawtooth gave me the illusion my heart desired- tumbling blocks.

   Filler designs range from flowers, to pebbles, to loopty-loops..geometric shapes or echoed outlines. Machine quilters often fill with stipples or wiggly lines, but that isn't easily done by hand. Only once did I hand quilt stippling..then and there I swore never to do it again. When we consider filling a space in a block we must consider the whole of the quilt..maintaining gauge and tension consistently. 

   In this week's video we take a look at some finished sampler quilts to see how different fillers enhance the space and add some 'space filler designs' to our sampler.

    Quilting is a personal experience..and expression of our individual taste and temperament. Bear in mind, there are no wrong designs..no wrong motifs...no limits to what we can design, create or stitch. Explore quilts this week and take the time to really see the heart of the quilter in the way they used the spaces and translate that into your own work. Let's go quilt something beautiful!