How to Quilt Color Combinations to Depict Depth

Quilting with color to depict depth requires an understanding of the use of light (highlight) and dark (shade) to indicate depth. Shade is placed on the side farthest from the light source. The highlight is the side closest to the light source. For example, when quilting a three-dimensional cube, make the face of the cube the desired color while choosing a darker color of the same hue to make the dark side and a lighter color of the same hue to indicate the highlight.

Instructions

1. Select a 3-D quilt pattern. Differentiate between the front, shaded portion and highlighted portion of the pattern. For example, choose a red for the front of a 3-D square. Choose a lighter red for the top and a darker red for the side.

2. Sew the 3-D quilt pattern together using the same position of fabric color for each object.

3. Insert a neutral color between the 3-D quilt pattern to indicate the background. For example, use a black, dark blue, ivory, or green as the neutral color on a red 3-D square pattern.

4. Connect the 3-D patterns so they are identical when building a 3-D pyramid, circle, triangle or square. Strip or trim around the pattern with a neutral color.

5. Quilt each portion of the quilt with matching quilt thread or transparent thread. This will allow the 3-D affect to appear in a fluid motion.