the High Contrast Ikat quilt
Contrast is a classic element of design, referring to the juxtaposition of differences: big vs. small, light vs dark, shiny vs matte. I use color and value contrast very often in my work. It’s one of the things that probably makes my quilts look like “me”. Although I also admire art with low contrast, I naturally create in medium and high contrast. Contrast gives a quilt more drama, movement, a sense of excitement and rhythm. It’s louder than low contrast, for sure.
Making an Ikat quilt is an opportunity to play with your sense of contrast. You could follow your inner voice to make a version with the amount of contrast that feels most natural to you, or you could try something toward the edge of your comfort zone, in order to broaden your horizons. Today we’ll focus on crafting a more high contrast version.
High Contrast Ikat
When I designed Ikat quilt, it was with high contrast in mind. My fist iteration had layers of crisp black and white echoing around the design elements. Black and white - that’s as high contrast as it gets!
The colors of the Ikat diamonds add another layer of contrast. Some are neutrals (brown, gray), while others are colored (pink, red, orange). The combination of fully neutral Ikat diamonds and colorful ones brings more movement and visual dynamics. Meanwhile, all that energy is contained within a strong rhythm in the echoing black/white sashing layers.
I’ve used PreQuilt to mock up two new high contrast Ikat quilt designs. Both are anchored by the classic black/white sashing scheme and both are nearly monochromatic. The Jade version is green with hints of blue, while the Berry version is purple with hints of pink and brown.
Looking to make a color-focused quilt, something nearly monochromatic? To keep things interesting, try adding lighter and darker versions of target color. For example, jade green was my target color for the Jade version. I added pale dusty aqua for a lighter hue and the gray-green darker fabrics too. Eventually I decided to branch out into touches of blue to bring just a bit more contrast.
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Color your Ikat
It’s time to experiment! I’ve created a PreQuilt coloring page where you can digitally swap my colors for your own ideas.
Color tags labeled A control the inner Ikat diamonds and color tags labeled B control the outer Ikat diamonds. To really transform the quilt, change color tags C or D. Those are the sashing colors!
For example, after creating the original mockup of Jade shown above, I created these alternative versions with slight changes to C and D sashing colors:
Each change slightly decreases the contrast, moving from left to right. First I changed the white to silver gray, slightly reducing the contrast. Next I swapped the location of black/white, resulting in less black overall and thus less intensity. Finally I changed the black for white, so that the sashing is white and silver. This last combination is definitely medium to medium-low contrast, resulting in a drastically different mood.
I’d love to see the results of your color experiments with the Ikat quilt coloring page! Share it on Instagram with #IkatQuilt.
Jade Ikat fabrics
My daughter prefers the Jade version with the black and silver sashing options. This is the Ikat quilt I’ll be sewing during our sew-along. Want to sew a Jade version as well? You’re in luck because all fabrics are in stock now at Fat Quarter Shop!
For how much to purchase in each fabric, reference your copy of the Ikat quilt pattern. Note that you can buy 1/4 yard cuts instead of fat quarters for your Ikat quilt.
Thanks for popping by for the first installment of the Ikat quilt sew-along. I’ll be chiming in next with tips and examples for sewing a medium contrast Ikat quilt. It’s a totally different look!
Each time I publish a new sew-along-related blog post, I’ll update the main sew-along page with links to relevant posts.
Enjoy!