Sunday, July 1, 2018

Blocking it out

     I cannot help it. I have tons of ideas and I make sample blocks of them. Then I can see whether I want to cut it all out and pursue the quilt or use the sample block for a comfort quilt. I can appreciate those who work on one quilt at a time, I would melt down. 
     Taking a cue from Bonnie Hunter who "kits up" a whole quilt for when she travels or has limited time, I have started to kit a whole quilt so I can just sew when I have a chunk of time. I cut all the pieces (minus border and binding), put the pattern and the pieces in a bag and label it. 
      I have made the MSQC's Disappearing Hourglass before, but I tried it with a Kaffe layer cake of reds and a script print. I loved the block- so all the HSTs are cut up, trimmed and in the bag ready to be made into the hourglasses and then further cut after to make this.
      I was a sucker for a Kaffe jelly roll from MSQC and found this pattern I had from Cluck Cluck Sew called Basket Case. I made the sample blocks from two strips and then cut up all the strips into pairs and all the white squares that go with it. Also in a bag with the pattern I bought.

     The last sample block is from a quilt I saw in a quilt show in April. It did not list the name of it, and it wasn't a great job, but it had this wonderful quality using florals and black, which I rarely use. I took a photo with the phone, drafted the block, and made a sample block. I made sure I used florals that had some saturation and not too light like the one I saw. The effect I was hoping for, a floating of the florals, I think is happening. I cut almost all the pieces, using the Accuquilt for the HSTs, pairing right sides together. I don't know what to call it. I looked for one like it online to see if it was a commercial pattern, but could find nothing that resembled it.
Example from show, floral blocks too light in places
Poor lighting, phone photo, inspiration quilt

My version

12 comments:

Debbie said...

Your hourglass block is great! Sorting those things into blocks/kits is a terrific way to get them accomplished.
Your last project is going to be beautiful! Like an Irish Chain with diamond feature......no idea what the block is. You are right to keep the floral prints strong to get the full effect. And I like the minty background.

Deanna said...

So many fun projects! I look forward to seeing your progress.

Exuberantcolor/Wanda S Hanson said...

I think you are right to use darker florals than in the inspiration piece for the last block. That will be really interesting when you get the layout started. I like your first block too.

A Left-Handed Quilter said...

I like your version of the last one. I checked EQ7 and found a couple that are similar in "01 - Classic Pieced - Antigue Mosaics" - similar but not the same - ;))

Mystic Quilter said...

I agree with Wanda re using the darker florals, the lighter ones just don't show up in the photo of the original quilt.
Now, the disappearing hourglass - needless to say I just love it - Kaffe Fassett Lake Blossoms, favourite pattern and favourite colour. I am very, very tempted to try this block. This may be a silly question but are using different fabrics for each block?

Julie said...

Kitting is a good idea, but I almost believe mine would be synonymous with UFOs. Gather and forget. Perhaps someday I will get to that point.

You've found a good pattern with the floral and black. Actually can I say I like your background fabric, and how it helps the stars shine? I'm such a sucker for anything with flowers, and looking forward to watching you work through this.

Quiltdivajulie said...

Mrs. Goodneedle shared something a while back that stuck with me -- make all of your test blocks in a particular color range so that you can use them to make a sampler style quilt down the road. Of course, the blocks you are making are actually going to be part of your project so they won't become orphans. I like to prep my projects, too - not always to the 100% point but definitely more than hoarding stacks of yardage when only a little will be needed.

The Joyful Quilter said...

I have always made any sample blocks from Christmas fabric for one of three Holiday quilts I hope to make someday. Kitting is a great idea! I should really try that on Blooming 9-Patch that I have on my To Do List. Off to the local Dollar Store for baggies to store block parts...

Preeti said...

The pinks look gorgeous with the white background. That is a beautiful block, Linda. Basket Case is the answer to all the jelly rolls we acquire and wonder - what do I make with this? Love your version with the delicate florals contrasting with black. It reminds me of Sunny Skies by MSQC.

Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting said...

Your block 'pops'! I like it.

PaulaB quilts said...

Making sample blocks with Kaffe fabrics is a great idea. I’ve got a stash of them and you have inspired me to use them.

Quilting Babcia said...

I like your version of that block. Our quilt group was gifted several baggies of floral squares, I think I'll try making some of these blocks with them and see how it progresses. Thanks for the inspiration!