Pattern info for this project can be found here:
Shadowbox Quilt
Instructions
These are the instructions for the quilt shown... measurements are in inches, and do NOT include seam allowance, so measure and cut accordingly to include the allowance [I use 3/8" seam allowance - I find 1/4" is too narrow and my fabric frays sometimes -not good!] Here we go:
Choose your fabrics... the background, the shadow fabric, and the main color Blocks - all to your liking. I suggest a light bright shade for the background, and darker sahde of the background color for the shadow effect. Plus big, bold, colorful prints for the blocks. Sorry for not giving yardage, I did mine out of scraps, and a few fat quarters.
The main color blocks are 6 X 14, and there 18 of them. There are four half-blocks [2 on top, to at the bottom] each measures 6 X 7.
The Shadow fabric is as follows, for each main block, cut one 2 X 6, and one 2 X 12 strip [a total of 18 strips for each length]. For the half blocks, cut a TOTAL of two of each size strip: 2 X 5, 2 X 6, 2 X 7.
The background [bright blue fabric] is all 2 inch strips and you will need to cut the following: 20 TOTAL strips, 2 X 8. 40 TOTAL squares, 2 X 2, and six LOOONG strips, about 2 X 72. I would recommend waiting on cutting the long strips until you have all the main blocks pieced in rows, so you can measure and make sure the length is accurate.
Sew the pieces as follows: One 2X2 square to each of the following: 2X6 shadow strips [20 Total]; 2X12 shadow strips [18 Total]; and 2X5 shadow strip [2 total].
Taking each big block, sew a 2X14 strip [blue and shadow fabric] to the left side of the block with the blue square on the top, then sew a 2X8 pieced strip [blue and shadow fabric] to the bottom with the blue square on the right, and finally, to the top, sew a 2X8 strip of background fabric [All blue piece].
Taking 2 of the half-blocks for the top, sew the 2X7 shadow fabric to the left 7" side of the half-block, then a 2X8 [blue and shadow fabric] to the bottom, with the blue on the right.
Taking the other 2 half-blocks for the bottom, sew a 2X7 pieced strip [shadow fabric and blue square] to the left 7" side of the half-block, with the blue square on top, and finally, sew a 2X8 blue strip to the top. That will be your 18 full blocks with the "shadow" to the left and bottom of the block, and a strip of blue on the top.Two of the half blocks will have shadow to the left and bottom, and two half blocks will have shadow to the left, plus a blue strip on top. Confused yet?
We are ready to begin joining the strips.
Sew as follows: With the shadows all in the same direction [to the left and below of the blocks], sew 4 big block pieces together from the 8 inch side. Repeat 2 more times, so you have 3 strips with 4 full blocks joined at the short end [top and bottom]
Then sew 3 full blocks, and sew a Top Half Block, and a Bottom Half Block to each end. Do this one more time. You will have 2 strips, each with 3 full blocks, plus a half block on the top and bottom. Make sure all the "shadows" are going the same direction - to the left and the bottom.
Almost done!!! Measure each of the long strips, they should all be about 72 inches. Cut 6 strips of the blue background fabric, 2 inches wide [remember to add your seam allowance] by the length of each block strip. Arrange the 5 long Block strips, so you have the 4 block strip at each end and the middle, with the 3 block strip in between them. Sew a long blue fabric strip in between each block strip, and to each side end, so they look like the picture. At this point, the pieced top should measure about 52 X 72 inches.
You can add a border if you like. I did a 2 inch border all around with the gray, "shadow" fabric. Then layer, quilt, and bind to your taste.
Hope these instructions were useful. Let me know if you have questions!These are the instructions for the quilt shown... measurements are in inches, and do NOT include seam allowance, so measure and cut accordingly to include the allowance [I use 3/8" seam allowance - I find 1/4" is too narrow and my fabric frays sometimes -not good!] Here we go:
Choose your fabrics... the background, the shadow fabric, and the main color Blocks - all to your liking. I ... Read full instructions »Difficulty:
Wanted to create a quilt with an optical illusion, so I found a pattern that looked like blocks were floating in space, yet were casting a shadow. This is my interpretation of that pattern. I envisioned blocks floating over water, and each block symbolizing some aspect of the earth we live in.
What are you most proud of?
I like the fact that the effect turned out quite well, even though I am no expert.
What advice would you give someone starting this project?
It's easier than you think, just take your time and choose your background and the "shadow" fabric so they work together. Large, bright colorful prints make the floating blocks pop out. Have fun with it, enjoy the process!
Fantastic! I just bought this pattern a few weeks ago and I am simply blown away with what you've done!!! You've inspired me to get going!!! Thanks for sharing.
This design almost made me cry -- seriously. I love the meaning and illusion you have created. I love designs representing things. Thanks for sharing!!
i'm sorry i didn't see where i could "click" on the instructions for this beautiful quilt...i can't wait to give it a try...thank you for sharing with us all....
Wow! I'm just so impressed and in awe by the optical illusion created by so simple a process. lol Thank you for sharing. I'm thinking of appliqueing Coy with lily pads or animals running on the plains.
Yee-haw this is NOT your Granny's quilt. I love this. I appreciate the quilts of yesteryear but I am also loving what is happening now in the quilting world. Well done!
Thanks, Scrappydo219519. Yes, all the blocks are the same -6 by 14 I think [don't remember exactly, made it a while ago. Except the four half blocks at the top and bottom of quilt, those were 6 by 8 I think. Not counting the shadow border.
This is soooo beautiful. Makes you want to jump right in that tropical ocean. I have searched for a pattern and came up with floating stars, but nothing that looks like yours. Did you have a pattern or just create it yourself? Are all the "shadow blocks" the same fabric? Or does the light in the picture just make them look different?
Thanks for sharing your work!!
Thank you DeeMcD! It's a pattern that's actually called "Shadowbox", you can google it, but there were no instructions, so I just sort of made my own pattern. Each big block is framed on two sides by a darker shade of the blue background. I tried to look for a dark shade of the water looking fabric so it looked like the big blocks were floating above and casting a shadow, but it's all the same gray/smoke fabric.
I'll try again. Somehow that message sent before I was finished. The pattern I found does cost $8.00 and the picture is not one I would have been drawn to
Um, yeah, DeeMcD. That was not what I would have chosen, either. He he. I added the original quilt I saw online to the pics above, So as you can see, I put my own spin on it to come up with the pictures you see.
Hi there... I made the pattern up myself after seeing a version of the Shadowbox quilt. Scroll down to AnnieMae's comments, I posted fabric measurements - sort of kind of sort of. Hope they help!
Love this....it looks 3D. Fun, fun, fun! Seeing your fish fabric makes me think it would be fun to do with all fish fabric and make it look a bunch aquariums. I see lots of possibilities with this.
The aquarium idea does sound neat. You are right about the possiblities -I had a very very hard time narrowing down my fabric selection to the four big prints. If/when you do make your version, I'd love to see it!
I don't think I found a step by step pattern per se, but you can look online and google Shadowbox Quilt, a bunch of pics and sites will pop up. I did mine with a 14 X 6 Block, then the dark border was 2 inches all around, so I cut 2 X 6 [short side] and 2 X 10 [long side] for shadow. Two - 2 X 2 for light blue corners, and 2 inch wide strips for all the "water" effect... hope this helps you.
Thanks so much...I have quite a bit of fabric now.....but I might need to do a little more shopping! I'm thinking my great nephew would really love it.
You are welcome, Ms. AnnieMae. I am very geometrical, I don't do curves, so what helps me is to buy graph paper, and colored pencils, and just start drawing away until I like what I see on the page, then I count.. 5 little squares up, and 6 across... then 4 down... LOL LOL. That's how the process starts for me.
Add your comment: