It started with a Magpie Guild challenge to make a monochromatic block in yellow. After finishing pouting that I couldn’t add black and white, I started considering options. I didn’t want a conventional quilt block- I was picturing more of an improv block. I wanted to use mostly prints, because I didn’t have enough different yellow solid colors. And I wasn’t interested in just making another “stick a square or circle or triangle in the middle of a different color field and call it a modern quilt”.
I wanted movement! I thought about the circle motion of a log cabin, but a classic log cabin was too regular. What about a sort-of string-pieced irregular log cabin? Aha!!
I love the motion in this, swirling and dancing. Too pretty to put in a pile of UFOs, where so many single block challenges end up. So, what next?
Perhaps this could be the center of a SuperNova? Why, yes, that sounds great. So, how about a narrow white-ish grey ‘aura’ surrounded by deep blues and blacks? But what proportions? Getting these wrong could make the whole thing flail.
Aha! I turned again to EQ7, for previews of proportions and placements. Using a one block quilt and 2 borders, I experimented with all sorts of variations. Here are the two finalists.
I’m not sure which I like better. So I think I’ll make the larger version of the white, then try it ‘in person’. If it turned out I prefer the smaller, I can trim it down.
Next task: How to sew the border? String piecing? Those could be long narrow pieces of paper that might rip easily. Do I want the pieces heading straight out? Or continuing the swirly motion? Things to ponder before I set about this task tomorrow.
Ciao,
Karen.