Saturday, May 22, 2010

Saturday Sampler #20

When Santa brought me the Quiltmaker's 100 blocks magazine for Christmas and I got this idea to make a block a week for a sampler quilt, I had no idea it would be so much fun! Every week I page through the magazine and surf the internet to see what block design appeals to me to try this week.  My only requirements are that it has to be a 12" pieced block.
Here is this week's choice:
Block Name: Bird of Paradise
Block Pattern Designer: Three Creative Studios
Block Pattern Source: Three Creative Studios Block of the Month
It was fun to sew and I think the striped fabric adds movement to the design. I didn't paper piece (the units that have the striped fabric) as suggested but instead I used the Tri-Recs rulers which are easy to use and alway make my blocks come out to the correct size.
Drum roll please....here are my 20 Saturday Sampler blocks placed randomly on the design wall....
It's a little busy! Might need some sashing? And maybe a few more blocks using the dark as the background fabric? It's 48" x 60" now and my design wall is only big enough for one more row at the top, but I'm sure that won't stop me!
Oh well...back into the storage box they go. I have other plans for today. The weather forecast was too rainy to convince the family to go camping, and it's too rainy to work in the garden, so I guess I'll just have to quilt! I have big goals now that I have the long weekend at home - I plan to finish 2 quilts this weekend!!  I am in the home stretch of hand quilting (for 18 years) this quilt and I am ready to machine quilt this one. Think I can do it?!?

15 comments:

Candace said...

What a great block, and they all look good together, don't look busy to me.

Sweet P said...

Ooooo . . . I like that block. I love brown and pink together. Your quilt wil be stunning when it is finished.

Sandie @ crazy'boutquilts said...

Your blocks are all wonderful! Truthfully~ I did not even notice that only one block had a dark background until you mentioned it~ it blends in very well. :-)

Judy D in WA said...

That is a great block! This is going to be a fabulous quilt. Can't go wrong with pink and brown. Sashing, yes, I think you need some. Good luck finishing your other quilts. I know you can do it!!!

Laura said...

Love all of the blocks and the overall color scheme. I think sashing would enhance the overall look of the quilt.

Linda Lee said...

WOW! Great blocks and great colors! This quilt will be awesome!

Mary said...

Looking great Kathy! I like the idea of a Block a week. Especially with 12" blocks. Too bad you HAVE to resort to Quilting today because of the weather. I had to take a road trip since it wasn't rainy today. It's been a very long week...

Amy said...

One more time Kathy-----BEAUTIFUL colors!
Sashing would be a lovely way to finish up the quilts, something small; 2"? And I agree with "call me crazy"; I didn't even notice that only one block used a dark background. It fits nicely. BUT, it does possibly make choosing a sashing color a bit more difficult? dark or light?

Can't WAIT to see the quilt finished!

Deb Robertson Writes said...

Oh it's so so beautiful. I've been enjoying them week by week, but all together... breath-taking!!

julieQ said...

You know I love these blocks!! Gorgeous for sure...I like the busyness look, but sashing would put some orderliness to the quilt...lovely!

Diane said...

I think the colors are well balanced. I'd play with a thin sashing maybe 1" finish just to separate a little and perhaps set them on point just to see what that would look like.
However, if you sew them together just like it is now I would love it. It's a great set of blocks-up to you how much further you'd like to go. I often have great ideas but then get to a point where I just want it done!

Mary Johnson said...

WOW, I love this! One of these days I'm going to make a sampler quilt!

scraphappy said...

I've been waiting to see them all together! They look fabulous. Maybe some sashing would give each block a little room to breath and make them easier to set together as well. What size is it going to be?

Ivani said...

WOW Love to see all blocks together.
Your sampler will be fantastic. Pink and Brown made a great combo.
Love your idea - one block a week. I need to try it. Seems to me that you are having a lot of fun choosing the blocks.
Great work.
Hugs,

Chris said...

This is such a great idea. I love the blocks.