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Writer's pictureSharon Prigan

Dark Blue Waters

Updated: Aug 18, 2020

Blues from that magic box of remnants that never ends

This time the pieces in the blue packet were all strips from mens button down shirts.


The way that I create a color composition is to first lay the pile of strips down on the table and then choose some strips out of the pile and begin to lay them out in a design. Shades that are pleasing to the eye, and either coordinate or contrast.


This time I chose to coordinate.


Blue remnants
Blue remnants

When creating an art quilt I "feel" and "hear" the colors. .How does one choose colors and create a harmony?


Most of us understand the basics of the color wheel, primary and secondary colors and how certain combinations work together.


Harmonic Color Schemes

Although it is enjoyable to experiment with color schemes by choosing colors randomly based on our individual preferences, there are a number of color combinations, known as harmonic color schemes, that are considered especially pleasing. Harmonic color schemes consist of two or more colors on the color wheel that have a specific relationship based on their position and distance from one another.

Before we discuss the basics, it helps if you are familiar with some of the most commonly used color terms:

  • Tint: A color that has been lightened by adding white.

  • Hue: The color of paint as it appears out of the tube, unmixed.

  • Tone: A color that has been lightened or darkened by adding gray.

  • Shade: A color that has been darkened by adding black.

When you are working with color schemes, you should consider using each color’s extended range. This includes its shades, tints and tones. It will offer the eye some restful colors that have been lightened, darkened or neutralized. These variations also allow the more powerful saturated colors to be used more sparingly for emphasis when needed.


Blue grey color harmony
Blue grey color harmony

I had enough strips this time to create 2 art pieces


2 art pieces
2 art pieces

I chose a coordinating colored thread for the top stitching.


Coordinating blue grey thread
Coordinating blue grey thread

And top stitched on my vintage Orion sewing machine. I use it for top stitching it works as well as an industrial machine, the stiches are perfectly even every time.


Quilted top stitching
Quilted top stitching

Miniature blues art quilt


Dark Blue Waters
Dark Blue Waters

"I saw for the first time the earth's shape. I could easily see the shores of continents, islands, great rivers, folds of the terrain, large bodies of water. The horizon is dark blue, smoothly turning to black..."

Yuri Gagarin


Dark Blues
Dark Blues
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