When I had the opportunity to film 2 segments of Fresh Quilting in June of 2017, I also had the good fortune to get to meet Sylvia Schaefer from Flying Parrot Quilts in person. Sylvia was flying in and setting up to film the day after I filmed and we had a bit of time to chat before I had to fly home in the evening. At the time, it had either just been announced or was about to be announced that Sylvia had received the 2017 Craftsy Quilt Designer Fellowship, which was exciting to hear about. Not only do I love Sylvia’s science background and how she incorporates it into her designs, but I admire her ascetic and am excited today to tell you about her recently published book, the Quilter’s Negative Space Handbook.
When Sylvia asked me if I would be willing to review her book and perhaps create a design based on the principals she shares, I was intrigued and eager to participate. Little did I know what a great experience it was going to be!
First, let me give you a bit of an overview about the Quilter’s Negative Space Handbook. Quoting directly from Sylvia,
The inspiration for this book originally came about when my local traditional quilt guild asked me to give them a lecture about negative space. I had previously given a talk to them about modern quilting and all its characteristics, and a number of members were particularly intrigued by this idea of negative space, and wanted to hear more about it.
I didn’t really know what to say when I agreed to give the talk, but after thinking about it for a little bit, I realized that these quilters were probably a little intimidated by the idea of big open spaces on their quilts, and that what they needed was some concrete design guidance, so I put together a few step-by-step diagrams to show how to go from a traditional quilt block to a modern quilt, and everyone seemed to find that very interesting.
What was even more interesting, though, was that in making these step-by-step diagrams, I came up with multiple designs that I really, really wanted to make.
Intrigued and ready to dive in, I decided to look through some of my existing design sketches and see if the techniques that Sylvia shares in the book could take an idea and give it the polish it needed.
Push Pull Design Idea (Starting Point)
I have had PushPull (which will be very familiar to some of my Patreons!) as a design sketch floating around for a few years. I really like the transparency play, and I’ve come close to turning it into a pattern and quilt, but it’s never felt fully complete. Something has always turned out to be a better choice and PushPull gets put back on the shelf, so to speak.
PushPull After Reading The Quilter’s Negative Space Handbook
After reading The Quilter’s Negative Space Handbook, I am really excited about PushPull.
PushPull After Reading The Quilter’s Negative Space Handbook – Light Background Option
The only question I have to answer now is which version of the quilt to make!
You can purchase a signed copy of The Quilter’s Negative Space directly from Sylvia, ask for the book at your local quilt shop, or purchase through C&T Publishing.
I hope you check out the rest of the blog hop schedule for more inspiration and details about The Quilter’s Negative Space Handbook.
Quilter’s Negative Space Handbook Blog Hop Schedule
March 11 – C&T Publishing
March 12 – Nicole Neblett from Mama Love Quilts
March 13 – Christa Watson from Christa Quilts
March 14 – Jessica Caldwell from Desert Bloom Quilting
March 15 – Sheri Cifaldi-Morrill from Whole Circle Studio
March 18 – Cassandra Ireland Beaver from The (Not So) Dramatic Life
March 19 – Yvonne Fuchs from Quilting Jetgirl
March 20 – Sarah Ruiz from Saroy
March 21 – Sarah Goer – Sarah Goer Quilts
March 22 – Sylvia Schaefer from Flying Parrot Quilts
Giveaway
Sylvia and C&T Publishing have offered me the ability to give away one digital (PDF) version of The Quilter’s Negative Space Handbook. To enter to win, use the Rafflecopter widget below. By entering, you agree that you are 18 years of age or older. International participants are welcome. The giveaway is open through Friday, March 22nd, at Midnight Eastern. A winner will be randomly selected and emailed by Saturday, March 23rd. The winner will have 48 hours to reply to claim the giveaway prize or a new winner will be selected. Good luck!
I prefer the light background. I think that the design ‘floats’ on the background .
I think I like the dark version better but either is great.
The light background really catches my eye. I can’t wait to see what you make and how you quilt it.
The light background shows off those dark colours so well, my pick. Another super design.
I really like the darker version better. I’m don’t usually quilt with pastels and the lighter version looks like a pastel to me.
I think you should make BOTH!!! i do kinda like the darker version better – with 3boys I am always thinking of *clean* showing – haha!!
I like the darker one better– more contrast and more impact
I love push and pull with the asymmetrical layout. My favorite is the darker background.
For some reason, my eye is drawn to the earliest version of Push/Pull, but, of course, I do not have the Quilting with Negative Spaces book. I’m not good with negative spaces, really, because I just quilt as straight-line quilting, so I probably am not a good person to ask. Anyway, I like the first one.
This book looks amazing. As does your designs. I think the dark background pulls my interest the most.
This looks like a great book. Love the quilts.
And I like the light one best
I love the dark background. It is bolder than the light
I think both versions are great, but I find the dark background more intriguing.
I really like the light background one as your arrows seem to float above the background.
I prefer the dark background, but both of them are interesting. Thank you for the giveaway opportunity.
I like the evolution of your design. It is very interesting to see the way the idea has evolved top leave more place to negative space, and at the same time the eyes are event more drawn to the arrows
I love the deeper background… very cool to see how your original idea evolved.
I like the darker background as it looks lively.
I love how your design was transformed after reading the book! I, too, prefer the one on the dark orange background, and LOVE this design! Sylvia is pretty awesome!