When I first made my Illusions quilt and shared it at QuiltCon in 2015, right away many of you began asking for a pattern for it. Although I was swamped with writing my first book at the time, I had always planned on coming back and creating a pattern for it.
Illusions at QuiltCon in 2015. You can see I have a thing for bold, graphic geometry!
Fortunately, the folks at Modern Quilts Unlimited saw it at QuiltCon and asked me to pattern it for their magazine. In fact they also asked me to pattern my other QuiltCon 2015 entry, Spiraling Out of Control, which was showcased in the Fall 2015 issue.
The quick story behind the design is that it comes from a classic optical illusion called “Cafe Walls.” I saw this image many years ago on the back of a kid’s restaurant menu and knew that one day I would turn it into a quilt.
Illusions Quilt in the Spring 2016 issue of Modern Quilts Unlimited
It took a little tweaking to get the design and proportions right in EQ7, but once I did, I knew at once I’d be able to make the quilt while still preserving the illusion.
My EQ7 sketch of Illusions – I like to see what it looks like before I make the quilt!
I quilted illusions with “boxes” – a very simple, yet graphic geometric design and I switched thread colors in the black and white areas so that the design would be more subtle.
I show how to quilt “boxes” in my book Machine Quilting with Style.
If you are interested in making your own version of this graphic quilt, pick up a copy from Modern Quilts Unlimited today. In fact, I would highly recommend subscribing to their magazine. I can’t give away secrets yet, but just know that I’m highly involved with the next issue as well! 🙂
Christa Quilts 
Congrats on the pattern and publication! Looking forward to checking it out.
You got me! I just subscribes, and ordered the Spring issue with the Illusions quilt! It really is an illusion, it moves when I look at it! Too cool!
Fun quilt, Christa! We noticed that when you move the quilt up and down on your computer screen the vertical lines appear to move. Interesting illusions. YOu have a good eye!
I”m definitely going to the book store today to get this magazine and the one you have your other quilt in.
Congrats on Illusions being published! Glad I got to see at QuiltCon!
Just received my issue. …wasn’t surprised to see you! Love your work. Can’t wait to make it
Will definitely do this. This quilt freaks me out every time I see it, which is a good thing.