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Last week we saw some great examples for stipple and pebbles on the quilts at the AQS Quiltweek Show in Daytona Beach, FL. This week we’ll explore even more fill designs and get an idea how they can be used effectively. So let’s dive right in.
Straight Lines
I think the next most popular fill design is simple straight lines. These create great contrast with anything curvy and it is easy to get the right size contrast with straight lines by their spacing. This quilt by Claudia Scheja uses straight lines in multiple places for a great effect of contrast with the circular applique and curved piecing.
In the border:
by Claudia Scheja
of Werne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
And within the piecing:
by Claudia Scheja
of Werne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
Varied spacing of straight lines can create some quite interesting texture.
by Shirley Gisi
of Colorado Springs, CO
by Shirley Gisi
of Colorado Springs, CO
Straight lines create a beautiful contrast and make the trapuntoed quilting motifs really pop.
by Naomi Ootomo
of Todashi, Saitama, Japan
by Naomi Ootomo
of Todashi, Saitama, Japan
by Naomi Ootomo
of Todashi, Saitama, Japan
Hatch
Straight lines can also create hatch fill designs. Hatch fills are a classic fill. Think of all the Sun Bonnet Sue quilts you have seen. What is quilted behind Sue? Cross hatch. This triptych quilt is much more modern but uses hatch fills to great advantage.
by Sandy Curran
of Newport News, VA
by Sandy Curran
of Newport News, VA
The double lines of this hatch fill makes for nice texture.
by Linda Fleschner
of North Fon du Lac, WI
by Linda Fleschner
of North Fon du Lac, WI
You saw this quilt by Marilyn Badger last week. It has some nice cross hatching that follows the lines of the plaid fabric. A very nice quiet design choice for a kind of loud fabric. There’s contrast!
by Marilyn Badger
of St George, UT
by Marilyn Badger
of St George, UT
Basket Weave
A bit of a take-off on hatch designs are basket weave fill designs. Basket weave can create interest in an otherwise dull part of a quilt. This is another gorgeous Marilyn Badger quilt.
by Marilyn Badger
of St George, UT
by Marilyn Badger
of St George, UT
This design looks kind of like a basket weave to me. Maybe a “modern” basket weave? This quilt was one of my favorites of the whole show. I love how Cindy used circles to create her self-portrait.
by Cindy Stohn
of Chandler, AZ
by Cindy Stohn
of Chandler, AZ
by Cindy Stohn
of Chandler, AZ
Geometric Grids
Some of my favorite fill designs are grid designs. I love the symmetry and the texture. This one creates an almost optical illusion.
by Rosani Ganc
of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
by Rosani Ganc
of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
A unique combination of grid design and stipple. Love! I’m sorry to say I do not know the name of this quilt nor the maker. My apologies!
The diamond geometric grid fill pattern has the spaces filled with radiator fill. A fill in a fill, how about that?
by Cristina Arcenegui Bono
of Alcala de Guadaira, Spain
by Cristina Arcenegui Bono
of Alcala de Guadaira, Spain
Random Geometric
The variegated thread color and random geometric fill adds so much to the background of this fun quilt.
by Marilyn Smith
of Columbia, MO
by Marilyn Smith
of Columbia, MO
Margaret Solomon Gunn is the master of fill designs. She combines them artistically to create her wonderful quilts.
by Margaret Solomon Gunn
of Gorham, ME
by Margaret Solomon Gunn
of Gorham, ME
by Margaret Solomon Gunn
of Gorham, ME
by Margaret Solomon Gunn
of Gorham, ME
Which fill design is your favorite? There are so many to choose from!
by Mary Beth Krapil
Great article. The quilts and fills are awesome inspirations!