Go Back  Quiltingboard Forums > Main
Quilting Using Negative/Empty Spaces >

Quilting Using Negative/Empty Spaces

Quilting Using Negative/Empty Spaces

Old 07-05-2021, 07:11 AM
  #1  
Super Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Mendocino Coast, CA
Posts: 4,825
Default Quilting Using Negative/Empty Spaces

I have recently seen some quilts and floor coverings that look like pieced quilts, only there are space/pieces that do not have any fabric...they're just holes, or empty spaces. Does anyone have experience with this type of design?
tropit is offline  
Old 07-05-2021, 07:48 AM
  #2  
Super Member
 
Quiltwoman44's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: USA
Posts: 2,129
Default

Oh, no I haven't. Would like to see some though.
Quiltwoman44 is offline  
Old 07-05-2021, 07:53 AM
  #3  
Super Member
 
juliasb's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Waterford Michigan
Posts: 7,241
Default

No I haven't but is sounds interesting. If you have some examples it would sure be great to see some.
juliasb is offline  
Old 07-05-2021, 07:54 AM
  #4  
Super Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 9,489
Default

Hmmm . . . I'm not sure. Do you mean like cutwork?
cashs_mom is offline  
Old 07-05-2021, 08:23 AM
  #5  
Super Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Greater Peoria, IL -- just moved!
Posts: 6,035
Default

I haven't seen anything lately but then again, I'm not "keeping current" or getting any magazines.

Haven't been in years (decades?) but we used to have regular modern quilt shows here in Seattle, and I have seen various ideas of space/definitions of quilt..

Mostly I know "negative space" as a term for the large backgrounds used in some modern quilts, I have one planed for metallic cat fabrics (Cattitude by Benartex of course) minimalist blocks and piecing and lots and lots and lots of black.
Iceblossom is offline  
Old 07-05-2021, 08:38 AM
  #6  
Super Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: kansas
Posts: 6,407
Default

I do a lot of Modern quilting and the term negative space is used to describe areas that are not pieced blocks (although they may be pieced but usually in similar color so that it doesn't look pieced unless you are doing an up-close look). Quilters then do lots of secondary designs in the space with quilting usually. Is that what you are describing? or do you mean an actually cut-out of the quilt? I haven't seen that.
quiltingshorttimer is offline  
Old 07-05-2021, 08:47 AM
  #7  
Super Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Ridgefield WA
Posts: 7,765
Default

Is it "cutwork"? Or English Cutwork? Google that and see if that is what you are talking about. Here is one definition I found: : " embroidery usually on linen in which a design is outlined in buttonhole stitch and the enclosed material cut away."
Kitsie is offline  
Old 07-05-2021, 10:34 AM
  #8  
Super Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: northern minnesota
Posts: 2,335
Default

Are you thinking of reverse/negative applique? This is where the top fabric is cut out with different shapes and then appliqued to the bottom fabric allowing it to show through...they are very pretty but a lot of work.
sewingpup is offline  
Old 07-05-2021, 01:29 PM
  #9  
Power Poster
 
Jingle's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Outside St. Louis
Posts: 38,181
Default

A quilt like that would not appeal to me.
Jingle is offline  
Old 07-05-2021, 05:43 PM
  #10  
Power Poster
 
dunster's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Lake Elsinore, CA
Posts: 15,141
Default

Yoyo quilts are sometimes put together with empty spaces between the yoyos. They are used more as decoration on the bed than for warmth. I remember seeing a quilt similar to this one in a magazine. There were holes where the light colored background fabric appears, and the squares were joined by narrower strips. It was very striking as a wall quilt. I thought I had saved the pattern, but now I can't find it. The only difficult part would be binding around where the holes appeared. I'd be interested in seeing more examples.
dunster is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


FREE Quilting Newsletter