This quilt caught my attention first because it was the only quilt that had a modern feel to me because of the four quandrants. With the other quilts, I didn't feel like there was a clear division of space as everything seemed to flow seamlessly, but with this quilt I certainly could distinguish it.
Even so, the pinwheel-shaped forms repeated in the four sections move the eye through the piece smoothly. There is a sense of movement in their shapes, and the pattern of color in the petals create a rhythm that brings the viewer round and round the quilt in a circular path.
Of all the quilts shown in the gallery, I found myself standing in front of this one the longest. I really enjoyed the array of colors as well as the non-uniform size and shapes of the fabric pieces that make up the background. Alone, the background may seem almost chaotic, but the piece is unified by the repetition of a starburst type of shape done in black. This pattern of a black star shape on top of a colorful background is so playful, as no two stars are the same, yet the similarity of the form is recognized by the eye, creating a smooth flow through the piece.
Aside from being beautiful textiles, and a wonderful example of recycling fabrics, these quilts demonstrate how pattern created through repetition can really unify a piece. Quilts are traditionally made from scraps of fabric, showing how a pile of miscellaneous things can join together into a piece that makes sense as a whole when designed consciously, such as by incorporating a repeated pattern.
It is a technique that can be applied far beyond just fabric scraps. For example, a large collection of old books can be just that, but when arranged strategically by the colors of the binding into a pattern, it can be made into an appealing display on a bookshelf.
With a bit of creativity, you can change the way you see your collections.
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