So You Want to Create an Abstract Art Quilt

Sunset Through The Forest
green and golden yellows in this abstract art quilt

Follow these step by step instructions using Sunset Through the Forest,an abstract art quilt as  an example to create an abstract art quilt.

Getting Started

 Choose Your Colors

First, I prefer to choose a few contrasting colors. Then I search through my materials for fabrics, decorative yarns and threads in those colors. Sometimes I also choose lighter and darker hues of the same colors.

Make Details with Decorative Threads.

Next, it is fun to make shapes with the decorative threads. For this piece I used the decorative threads to make several parallel lines on the fabric. I cut long strips and sewed the decorative threads in long lines.Then I randomly cut the long strips into 3 or other odd number of pieces. Creating texture- done!

green yellow bits,Several different examples of decorative details
Several different examples of decorative details

On the Design Wall

Next, I display the potential finalist fabrics on my design wall. My favorite choices are fabrics with movement and interest. Then, I also make sure that they are places for eyes to rest  by including solid colors.

green yellow bits on design wall
Trying out green and yellow bits of fabric randomly placed on the design wall

Balancing Colors

Next, balance out the colors and textured pieces so that they are not all on one side of the piece. Don’t be afraid  to take a break to come back to view the work with fresh eyes. A fresh look is always helpful in looking for ways to improve a piece. How will one’s eyes move around the art work? Eliminate  fabrics if necessary.

green yellow farther along in putting the pieces together
Balancing the fabrics and colors

Sewing Smaller Pieces Together

Begin to sew small pieces of fabrics together. Then remember to  balance colors and fabrics so that they are equally spaced about the piece. Use this advantage of a design wall to view your whole piece.

Sunset Through Forest, art quilt
Small pieces are sewn together

Sewing More Pieces Together

Continue sewing pieces together. Keep checking for balance of fabrics, colors, and textured pieces.

finished top Sunset Through Forest
finished top, Sunset Through the Forest

Finishing

Lastly,I scribble quilt the three layers together to create an added level of movement. Scribble quilting is a technique I named. I use a walking foot to create a  flowing quilting line by moving the quilt side to side while quilting. Make sure that the quilting is also balanced and equally fills the space. Then add a facing. Turn to the back and handsew the facing to the back. Name and sign your art!

Sunset Through The Forest ,an art quilt,32"h x 34"w  81cm x 87cm
Sunset Through The Forest, finished art quilt,32″h x 34″w

In Conclusion

These are the steps that I generally follow to create my abstract art quilt pieces.  They represent my process at this time. It will probably change over time. Your  process is probably unique to you.

Read more in these other articles.

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2022/12/new-work-in-progress/

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2021/03/mostly-black-and-white-art/

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2017/04/wacky-fun-quilting/

https://www.etsy.com/shop/annbmayartquilts

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2020/02/decorative-threads-add-texture/

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2019/07/creating-texture-in-art/

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2021/06/abstract-art-in-fabric/

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