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Combine Different Kinds of Angles
To get the illusion of curves from straight seams in patchwork, combine shapes or blocks that have 45° angles with others that are made from different angles. The Storm at Sea block uses both 45° and 60° angles. The direction changes gradually, and your eyes see it as a curve. The bands of blue seem to wave and ripple across the surface of the quilt. No wonder it has been a favorite of quilters for so many years.
Many two-block quilts like this create exciting surprises in secondary designs when different angles meet.
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Curve the Applique
Bending branches and graceful stems keep the eyes moving, whether it's with patches or embroidery. Our eyes, seeing parts of a curve, automatically complete it. In the block shown at left, notice the piecing in the leaves; their curved center seam joining the two greens adds more movement to the design.
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Pick a Plaid
Plaids are ideal fabrics for creating movement. Made of vertical and horizontal lines, these fabrics can be cut off-grain to create the illusion of motion. Of course, the more contrasting the print, and the more off-grain your cutting, the more confusing the pattern may become. Be careful, your quilt may make you feel woozy!
Notice how the slightly off-grain plaid patches in this block from Miller's Crossing, shown at right, give a casual ambling motion to the quilt. If you'd like less motion, cut only a few patches off-grain.
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