This has been one of my favorite challenges. I had never heard of the Notan concept but was fascinated with it as soon as I started researching. I found
this great example by Lynn Ticotsky and knew that I wanted to try something similar. With the aid of CAD drafting software I tried out several different ideas for a repeating pattern. (Some that I didn't choose are in
this blog post.) I created a freezer paper template and cut the chosen pattern out of black fabric with fusible web on the back eight times. The resulting 16-square block reads more like an irregular 9-patch to me, but it is made up of just the eight cut-outs and their "leftovers". I'm not a very precise person, so this definitely looks better from a distance where you can't see all the fuzz, but I really like it.
Right now it's just fused to white fabric, but I would really appreciate some advice on whether to add a black border, and what sort of quilting pattern to use. I don't want to distract from the design, but I'm not sure that just tracing it with quilting lines would add much. Input greatly appreciated!
(dimensions are 24" x 24")
(Cutting out Notan shapes is perfect activity to do while joining hubby watching football!)
Really interesting concept, Sharon. I see some areas are not strictly Notan while others are... who knew? Stunning design at any rate. So glad folks are coloring outside the lines on this one! Well done...
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ReplyDeleteHmmm, okay. I thought it was, because all of the pieces are either the black square background, or the pieces that were cut out of it. I combined 8 identical squares, but some are flipped on the diagonal, and some side-to-side. It was a lot of fun, anyway!
ReplyDeleteLooks like Notan to me. But what do I know? Love it! I know there is a lot of work in this, cutting the design 8 times. This is a very successful design.
ReplyDeleteHi Sharon, I love this...wouldn't this be a goregous pillow on a black leather couch?
ReplyDeleteGreat job!
Cynthia