I never thought I’d type that title, but it fits my latest finish. As I mentioned a while back, this summer I took Elizabeth Barton’s online course “Mod Meets Improv.” My final piece for that class was a modern inflected improv-ish work that featured red Xes on white fabric.
I began with drawings of variously sized Xes that I taped in a somewhat random arrangement. No high tech design work for me.
I then made several X blocks in different orange and red shades, refined my block placement, and filled in the space left with Kona white cotton fabric. Parts of that were a bit tricky to seam, so I ended up doing a bit of hand applique in blocks that contained large and small Xes.
I kept the quilting simple, following the lines of the largest X. I emphasized that X with red machine stitched 12 weight thread and a single line of perle cotton handstitched in each direction.
Astute readers may discern the edges are unfinished. The facings are cut, but not yet sewn on. I gave myself a pass so I could share this (mostly) finished piece.
It’s been a while since I worked with white fabric sewn to itself, so I had forgotten how the seams show up, even with a white batting. I could have lined each piece, but that wasn’t going to happen. In the right light at the right angle you don’t see the seams.
I settled on “Xed Out” for the title.
The Snarky Quilter 
Very nice design and your quilting is perfect!
I’m so glad you can’t see it really up close, as then you’d see the flaws.
Love the contrast in this piece. I always enjoy see/reading part of your process. I like your hand stitched dash-line and the gradation in the largest X makes a great impact.
I’ve only bought one fabric jelly roll in my life, Caryl Bryer Fallert’s Gradations, and I have gotten so much use from it. I have maybe 4 strips left. I had fun stitching the red line. Glad you’re not getting bored with my process descriptions.
I love the way the white seam lines add to the composition. Very cool piece!
Well, those seam lines are supposed to disappear, either with a white batting (it IS white) or with quilting that goes through the seam lines. Glad you think they enhance the piece.
This is a successful piece. Congratulations. Elinor
Thanks for your kind words.
You work so very differently (and more bravely and freely) than I do–I’m always fascinated!
That’s the great thing about quilting. It encompasses so many different approaches. I find I don’t like to repeat, so I’m always trying something new to me. It’s a curse and a blessing.
This is beautiful. It takes a lot of skill to line up a split line and yours are perfect! I’m off to look up lining white blocks; I didn’t know you could!
Thanks for the compliment. I rely on blue masking tape.