Saturday, August 22, 2015

Test Blocks with a Plan

So, I am starting a new project, which I will share at a later date. I am using the X and + block. Badskirt has a nice little tutorial but her block was too small for my project. While scanning for fabric placement ideas I came across a beautiful finished version by Bijou Lovely. She provided a link to cutting instructions by Conoe Ridge Designs. I was set.

This is a project that requires a test block since I am mashing up information from two sites before I start chopping up my lovely stack of Japanese fabrics.

At this point I usually pull out my Baggie of traditional and not so lovely fabrics and make a test block that will be donated to my traditional guild's orphan block stash. But being fresh off making a Genny & Ruth block for Elizabeth Hartman's Rhoda Ruth Challenge, I decided to grab the brightest solid scraps out of my scrap bin.

Here's the Genny & Ruth:



And here's my test x and +:




Wow, you really need sunglasses for this one.

I hung it on my design wall next to the Genny and Ruth and that gave me a great idea. Instead of making my test blocks out of my "not my style" fabrics and passing them on to the guild, I am going to make them out of solid scraps and save them for an eye poppingly bright solid sampler quilt. I have two blocks already so I am off to a good start!

As you can see, the Badskirt/Bijou block was a complete success despite the fact that I flaked and messed up my corner square placement. I have moved on to cutting the actual quilt in confidence.

That's it. I am on my decrepit iPad 2 which makes blogging almost impossible. iMac gets his 15 minutes with a Genius tomorrow. I just hope they can at least extract my data.

7 comments:

  1. Your blocks are downright gorgeous! Even though I looked at the Badskirt tutorial, I'm still trying to figure out how the 2 blocks go together. I'll look forward to seeing your progress. Good luck with your puter!

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  2. Love how bright and happy looking they are - hope your computer gets mended soon!

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  3. Thanks for all your concern over my computer problem. The hard drive was beyond repair and since it is a "vintage" Apple we have to look elsewhere for a repair option. Weighing my options now. I love the big screen but portability is important too. Leaning toward the 13" MacBook if I can't get the big guy running again.

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  4. Those are some lovely blocks! I am a big solids fan. Can't wait to see more! Good luck with your computer shopping.

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  5. Wonderful blocks! They look great in those solids.

    -Soma

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  6. Hi Gayle! You are a winner at the Pets on Quilts Show....contact me so that I can introduce you to Green Fairy Quilts and you can get your prize!
    quiltnsrep(at)yahoo(dot)com

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