5 Unique Interpretations of Shape in Quilts from QuiltCon 2024

As quilters, we use all of the elements of design, and while shape is a critical aspect of our work, it sometimes fades into the background when we discuss the design aspects of our work.

The quilts I’ve chosen to feature this week from QuiltCon 2024 use shape uniquely to make it an actual focal point.

Changing the Shape of the Quilt

It’s Like a Square, But With Three Sides

By Jeffrey Warner @jeffwarnerquilter

Triangles, upon triangles, upon triangles feature in this quilt from the small quilts category. Look closely at this quilt to see that some of the small triangles are their own separate mini quilts attached to the larger design using, at least in part, long strands of quilting thread to suspend them. The use of colorful quilting threads continues the triangular design motifs into the background of the design.

Triangular Waves

By Sarah Muslim Lefebvre @sidestitchesdesign

Triangular Waves takes the simple shape of an equilateral triangle and intentionally distorts the overall shape of the quilt, as well as the horizontal interior construction lines, to create an unexpected feeling of movement with a traditional shape. Many upward-pointing triangles feature a dark value that keeps the viewer’s eye moving around the composition.

A Quilt that Drastically Alters the Block Shape

Into the Wind

By Michelle Bartholomew @michellebartholomew

A traditional block, the Sawtooth Star, is taken to an entirely different level in this quilt designed to evoke the feeling of a quilt blowing in the wind. In its original form, the sawtooth star features a straightforward construction technique, but in this interpretation, every individual piece appears different from all of the other pieces in the quilt.

Quilts Using Cut Shapes in the Internal Construction

Innards

By Steph Skardal @stephskardal

What happens when you quilt a quilt, then cut it and quilt it again? This design features precise laser-cut circles and surrounds that were quilted first, cut, and reassembled to be quilted into the final composition. Each component of the design becomes a mini-quilt of its own!

The Twist

By Patty Dudek @elmstreetquilts

The Twist is a combination of two separate quilt tops combined into one, with the central circle rotated slightly to create an offset in the overall design. This circular shift in the design moves the acute triangles of the design just enough to unsettle the viewer and add interest to what would otherwise be a predictable motif.

What do you think?

Will any of these designs inspire how you use shape in an upcoming project?