High Tension

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Modern quilt with pink and orange geometric "High Tension" pattern

Modern quilt with pink and orange geometric "High Tension" pattern
This quilt is called High Tension, inspired and named after high tension wires, of all things. I sort of like the fact that I was inspired by something that I find quite ugly and disruptive in the landscape and turned that inspiration into something I think is beautiful.

High Tension quilt with geometric pattern draped over wooden fence near barn

The quilt front and binding are made with Kona solids ranging from a pink in the background, through three shades of peach, to a cinammon and a lipstick pink.

Close-up of a modern quilt with geometric patterns in orange, brown, and white, featuring quilting stitches.

I backed the quilt with a print from my Improv fabric collection.  I wanted something that would suit the strong geometry of the quilt front but I was also looking for a little bit of a pattern.  So, this worked out perfectly.

Two spools of Aurifil Mako 50/2 thread on a quilted fabric with diagonal lines.

My quilting lines are spaced 1/4″ apart and are mainly stitched in a 50 weight Aurifil 6723 but some lines were stitched in Aurifil 2420.  Both thread colors can be found in my Aurifil Designer Collection.  The finished quilt measures 41″ x 48″.

Modern quilt with pink, coral, and brown geometric "High Tension" design, draped on a wooden fence.
If you have read my book, Improv Paper Piecing, or taken a workshop with me, you know that I like to talk about the dash of the unexpected. Whether it be an occasional row of a different colored thread in the quilting, a choice of binding color, mixed up color placement, or a layout choice; it makes the design so much more interesting!  Here, I changed up the blocks in the top and bottom rows to break the pattern.  I also removed the vertical lines from one column of blocks.  I balanced the quilt layout with a strip of negative space on the left.  I like the movement and interest that it achieved.

High Tension quilt with pink and red geometric pattern draped on a wooden fence
Life has been exceptionally busy lately so it feels good to have a finished project to share. Thanks for visiting!

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