Project Quilting 10.4: Pixel and Play

This week's Project Quilting theme was Pixel Play and the challenge encouraged us to  "be inspired by these particles, whether you pixelize a picture, make use of low resolution like 8-bit graphics, or are merely inspired by these hard-working colored boxes."

Pixelated Petals & Pebbles, Finishes 19" x 16"

Instead of piecing fabric pixels, I opted for stitched pixels!!  Let me share my process...

Step 1: Stitch a grid foundation using my walking foot, a roll of 3/4" Blue Painter's Tape and White Aurifil 50wt thread.  I'd like to point out that the solid fabric is brown!  Yes, you read that correctly, I am using the color brown in my quilt, willingly!!  Shocking, I know!

Pixel Preparation

Step 2: Fill in each square with a different colors and corresponding free-motion filler design to create a pixelated floral design.

Pixel Progression (top left, clockwise)

But guess what?!?  All those photos were taken of the back of the quilt!!  Allow me to introduce the other side of this quilt...

Panel

I turned to my fabric stash in search of the perfect fabric to execute my pixelated vision.  This Amanda Herring (Quilted Fish) Lula Magnolia fat quarter panel fit the bill as it was a large scale print featuring a fairly simple design with only 5 colors!!  Once the gridlines were established, I went about pixelating the design by filling in each box with a corresponding thread color (used on top and in the bobbin), along with a different free-motion filler.  Several of the squares contained two or more colors, in which case, I went with whichever color had the greatest amount represented.  I also opted to to stitch the inner ring of flower petals in pink to differentiate them from the larger petals.  

Side 2 of Pixelated Petals & Pebbles

Intially I chose threads that matched the colors in the fabric panel, but made a few changes along the way to add more contrast.  Here is the final thread line up of Aurifil 50wt threads used:

• Bright Pink (#2425)
• White (#2024)--also used for stitching the gridlines and the binding
• Delft Blue (#2730)
• Light Jade (#1148)
• Grass Green (#1114)
• Spring Green (#1231)

I really love all the quilted texture.  It fun to look at and touch!  I also posted a quick video demo as I was stitching the background pebble quilting.

Pixelated Perspectives

I encourage you to check out all this week's Pixel and Play entries, and VOTE for your favorites.  Hint-hint, check out #77 (edited to reflect a shift in numbering).