Shadow Box quilt calculations
11-16-2023, 09:54 AM
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2023
Location: Vancouver British Columbia Canada
Posts: 1
Shadow Box quilt calculations
Hello !
new member as of today Nov 16 2023.
I am struggling to find a source of calculations for the shadow strips on quilts, depending on the size of he square or rectangle chosen for a quilt.
I plan on making 10 inch squares of the main fabric.
Suggestions on how wide the shadow strips should be are welcomed.
Suggestions for the horizontal and vertical sashing widths as well.
new member as of today Nov 16 2023.
I am struggling to find a source of calculations for the shadow strips on quilts, depending on the size of he square or rectangle chosen for a quilt.
I plan on making 10 inch squares of the main fabric.
Suggestions on how wide the shadow strips should be are welcomed.
Suggestions for the horizontal and vertical sashing widths as well.
11-16-2023, 10:11 AM
#2
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Greater Peoria, IL -- just moved!
Posts: 6,067
Welcome to the boards! Glad to have you here and hope you stay.
I don't know if there are handy charts -- a lot of it is based on your personal vision and how you will construct your project -- like whether you miter your shadow joint or not. Some of those decisions are made on whether or not you will have the same amount of shadow on both sides. I think most times they are equal but depending on your perspective and/or light source for the project they don't have to be.
There are many pictures and ideas (including free tutorials, patterns and videos) if you search on either something like "quilt shadow effect" or "3d quilt patterns".
Offhand, I'd say that a 10" block surrounded with a 2" shadow (making a 12" block) would work pretty well. I'd use a minimum of 2" sashing of background between them, but that would depend (for me) largely on the scale of patterns in the 10" blocks.
Hope you find an answer!
I don't know if there are handy charts -- a lot of it is based on your personal vision and how you will construct your project -- like whether you miter your shadow joint or not. Some of those decisions are made on whether or not you will have the same amount of shadow on both sides. I think most times they are equal but depending on your perspective and/or light source for the project they don't have to be.
There are many pictures and ideas (including free tutorials, patterns and videos) if you search on either something like "quilt shadow effect" or "3d quilt patterns".
Offhand, I'd say that a 10" block surrounded with a 2" shadow (making a 12" block) would work pretty well. I'd use a minimum of 2" sashing of background between them, but that would depend (for me) largely on the scale of patterns in the 10" blocks.
Hope you find an answer!
11-16-2023, 10:19 AM
#3
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 4,261
There is a pattern for layer cake squares (10") https://jordanfabrics.com/pages/shadow-box-free-pattern
I also found one for different sizes and shapes of focus fabric https://www.isewfree.com/free-quilt-...-city-shadows/
I also found one for different sizes and shapes of focus fabric https://www.isewfree.com/free-quilt-...-city-shadows/
Last edited by OurWorkbench; 11-16-2023 at 10:22 AM.
11-17-2023, 12:27 PM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2021
Posts: 357
I love shadow box quilts! I'll be waiting to see yours when you are done!
I agree that a 2" border on a 10" square. Sometimes, where the 2" borders meet on the diagonal, I end up with a little hole there. I just take needle and thread and stitch it closed.
I agree that a 2" border on a 10" square. Sometimes, where the 2" borders meet on the diagonal, I end up with a little hole there. I just take needle and thread and stitch it closed.
