Creating More Sunrise Landscapes

As an art quilter, nothing brings me more joy than seeing the excitement on my students' faces when they dive into the creative process. Recently, my class took on the world of sunrise landscape art quilt patterns. The vibrant quilts they produced sparked enthusiasm, and they returned the next lesson asking to create more! It turned into a wonderful experience filled with discussions about fabric choices, color palettes, and the magic of patchwork quilting.

After their recent success, I wanted to give them the freedom to explore their creativity even more. I opened our scrap fabric boxes, and encouraged them to dive into the world of colors.

A Palette of Possibilities

When those fabric boxes opened, the excitement was tangible. Students rushed over, eyes sparkling with possibilities. I found it interesting to see how they were drawn to certain colors; the fabrics almost seemed to call them. Some students picked bold oranges and yellows that reminded them of the sun rising over a horizon, while others chose calming blues and purples, mirroring the peaceful transition from night to day.

With each fabric choice, I observed their confidence grow. Rather than sticking strictly to a template, we discussed color theory and value distinction. Light , dark, bold, subdued, choosing different shades to reflect the mood and the "feeling' of the quilt piece.

Experimenting with Color Layouts

Now that they had the fabric, it was time to play. I encouraged my students to create their color layouts. Watching them sketch out ideas on paper and then translate those sketches into fabric arrangements was rewarding. Some students collaborated closely, mixing and matching pieces while discussing their visions for their quilts.

I have a number of plastic cutting boards which I don't use in the kitchen. They serve me well as a board to lay the quilt design on. Each student is given 2 boards, one to lay the fabrics on, and the other to cover the fabric layout so that the pieces don't fly off the board when moved from side to side.

She chose what she calls an autumn sunrise. The first piece of fabric that she found in the box was the floral on the bottom right and she said that she has to have it and will match all the other pieces to it.

Last week she created a pink, rose and brown sunrise and this week wants to create one in yellows for her little sister's bedroom.

The emphasis is on greens for this one, and he asked to use green threads to quilt as well.

“Is this shade too bright against that one?” one student asked, holding up two pieces for investigation. Questions like this indicated a growing understanding of composition and balance, and it was wonderful to hear! They were enjoying the excitement of experimentation, learning what worked and what did not. Again, no hard and fast rules, teaching them the basics of color theory and letting them play wtih their choices.

The Beauty of Individuality

What I found most rewarding was the individuality that emerged in each quilt. Every piece told its own story; some reflected personal experiences while others portrayed favorite sunrises. It was inspiring to see how their emotions influenced fabric choices. For instance, one student used a vibrant pink to represent a joyful family memory, while another selected soft pastels to depict a tranquil morning.

Here she is not sure which color sun to use the paler or deeper pink. So she asked the class' advice. They told her to choose what feels right.

Ready, Set, Sew!

With color layouts finalized, the students are itching to sew their quilts, they are eager to be creating more sunrise landscapes. Next week, we will bring our sunrise landscape art quilt patterns to life by stitching the fabrics into a patchwork, quilted design.

Creating More Sunrise Landscapes

I am joining them this time. I need to create a gift for a housewarming and the request was for a sunrise with greys and pinks. The challenge was to find the colors in my fabric stash. the same rules apply to me as the students, no fabric purchasing, we have to be creative with what we find in the scrap box.

These were the greys that I found for the mountains

The pinks, pale greys and lilacs for the sun's rays

My choice of mountains and sun's rays

A debate with myself (and the students) for the sun's color. I found a small piece of tie dyed fabric with greys and pinks and a bit of purple. I normally decide on color choices by myself but they asked to be involved this time.

Or this pink one? I think the decision will depend on what color threads I find to quilt the sun's rays and the sun.

We gear up for the next step in our quilting journey, I am looking forward to it. Witnessing my students so engaged and happy while creating their sunrise landscape art quilt patterns has been one of the highlights of the class this year.

The mix of creativity, color, and resonance with personal stories has turned this class into a vibrant community. Watching them grow, both as artists and individuals, fills me with pride and hope.. I believe this is just the beginning of their artistic adventures!

Next week, as we stitch those quilts together, I eagerly anticipate their final masterpieces and the stories each will tell. I am confident we will create incredibly beautiful sunrise landscapes that capture their reflections on life, color, and art!

Let this journey inspire not only my students but fellow quilters everywhere. Embrace creativity, explore colors, and remember that each quilt tells a story.

Until next time, happy quilting!