A Wave Sunset

Sharon Prigan
5 minutes ago
3 min read

Creating another sunset using my wave landscape patchwork technique, the sample that I created for the tutorial is realtively small, to practice the technique.

I decided that it is time to create a much larger piece and this one is going to be more or less 100 x 140 cm.

Creating another sunset using my wave landscape patchwork technique has been an interesting experience where I envisioned a large radiating sunset and then had to find the colors in my limited supply of upcycled sheets and shirts.

I envision the colors very clearly and this time had the small sample wave sunset piece for inspiration. I found most of the colors that I had used for the smaller quilt but this time wanted to add more dark blues and purples to it which I was finding in the fabric boxes, so I did not have to be as creative as I usually am when having to be flexible in my color choices.

The sample that I initially created for the tutorial was relatively small, designed specifically to practice and refine the technique without overwhelming students with a larger project. I practice what I preach and when working on a new technique always create a smaller piece first.The small piece served as a valuable learning tool, enabling me to experiment with various fabric combinations and stitching methods, ensuring that I understood the nuances of my approach.

However, after completing that sample, I felt a surge of inspiration and decided that it is time to embark on a much larger piece that will truly showcase the beauty and complexity of this technique. This new project is ambitious, measuring approximately 100 x 140 cm, which will allow me to incorporate a wider range of colors and patterns, creating a more dynamic representation of a sunset. The larger canvas will provide me with the opportunity to play with the gradients of the sky , transitioning from oranges and pinks to deep purples and blues.

Each section of the patchwork will be designed to capture the essence of a sunset, I am sure the larger size will enhance the visual impact of the piece, drawing viewers in and allowing them to appreciate the intricate details that may have been lost in a smaller sample.

fabric strips laid out on a table in wave sunset design

The smaller sunset wave quilt, is placed atop the organized fabric arrangement designated for the larger quilt. This placement serves a dual purpose: not only does it allow for a visual comparison of the two quilts, highlighting the significant difference in their sizes, but it also serves as a practical reference for the quilter, who can assess how the smaller piece contrasts with the planned larger design.

smaller sunset wave qult lying on top of the fabric arrangement for the larger quilt in order to see the difference in size

In order to get the effect of a radiating sunset the proportions of the quilt have to be larger, divided into 3 segments, the top, where the sun and the radiating rays and skyline are, then the begining of the sea waves with sun rays on the waves and then merging into a dark foreground.

I work on one backing piece, but plan and work on each different segment. First the skyline and the radiating sun rays, of course ironing each piece down.