Once in a while you have a piece of fabric with a design that is so appealing and unique that you don’t want to cut it all and lose the picture and just want to find a pattern to highlight this as a focal point of your whole quilt.

My youngest grandson has always loved sharks. I’m still not sure if it has anything to do with his somewhat intractable personality. When I was looking for fabrics I was working for a local company assembling quilt kits and we were allowed to take home some off cuts and occasionally retired hanging samples.

One of the samples included this terrific shark design that I wanted to feature. This Turning Twenty pattern was perfect to use limited size pieces while highlighting the specific print. It didn’t hurt that the samples also included a couple of companion fabrics that I could use as well.

My more traditional mother fell in love with this Christmas print and used it as the center of this linking design, then used it as the border. It gives a festive twist to a more conventional design.

One of the newer trends in feature quilts is the illusion or shadow quilt. Here are a few examples, which would be terrific to showcase favorite fabrics. I have collected fabrics on trips and it would be fun to use them for this type of presentation. I’m thinking now about a Hawaiian version with a bunch of my favorite pieces.

Japanese quilt designs are especially good for these kinds of quilts to emphasize the beauty in special, exquisite fabrics.. I love these examples.

Finally, novelty types of blocks can be great ways to find uses for interesting or even eccentric fabrics. A sunbonnet or parasol girl can show unique fabrics or a whole quilt of the same fabrics. This kimono design is a similar idea.

One of the funnest uses of “interesting and unique" fabrics comes from a quilter who was given a piece of fabric from an “Ugly” fabrics exchange with her guild. She used it to start a creative feature quilt of “Ugly Sweaters”. What a creative way to highlight these unusual prints! And what a way to make lemonade out of carrots ;)

Now she has people from around the country sending food prints. So glad she didn’t just go with the old quilter’s saying, “If it’s still ugly you haven’t cut the pieces small enough.”

Go Kathy Colwell!

— Queen Bee

1. Choose a Bold, Striking Design: Select a design that stands out and captures attention. This could be a large-scale print, a central appliqué, or a striking pieced block. Make sure the design is visually impactful and becomes the centerpiece of your quilt.
2. Use Solid or Subtle Background Fabrics: To emphasize the large focal design, use solid or subtly patterned background fabrics. This will help the central design stand out and prevent the quilt from looking too busy. Neutral colors or complementary tones work well for the background.
3. Balance with Borders and Sashing: Frame your large design with borders or sashing to enhance its prominence. A wide border can create a frame-like effect, drawing the eye toward the focal point. Using contrasting or coordinating fabrics for the borders and sashing can further highlight the central design.
4. Consider Proportions and Placement: Pay attention to the proportions of your quilt and the placement of the focal design. Center the design to create a balanced look, or place it off-center for a more modern and dynamic effect. Ensure that the surrounding elements do not overpower the focal point but rather complement and enhance it.

By focusing on a bold design, using appropriate background fabrics, balancing with borders, and carefully considering proportions, you can create a stunning quilt with a large design as the focal point.

Featured YouTube Video

How to make a Shadow Block

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