09 September 2011

Miscellany

The Bumble Beans Basics Miscellany challenge blocks are due tomorrow, so I thought I'd go ahead and post my entry. Twelve challengers were given 8 letter sized cuts of Julia Rothman's Miscellany collection from Cloud 9 Fabrics to design and create a unique block.
After seeing Beth's posts about her card trick blocks, I've decided to call my design "coin trick." My design features 4 overlapping circles instead of squares.
Between my practice block (with fishbones) and my entry block (with candy trees), I used all 8 Miscellany prints.
I pieced the blocks on the machine in four sections. Each section had a circle and two of the border strips to make a complete edge. I pieced the sections in pairs, then combined the two halves to finish the block. All the seams are curved, but there are no y-seams. The photo above shows the final seam pinned and ready to sew.

I think these two blocks would work great together in a larger quilt. I wanted to use all the prints in the challenge block, but the circles would pop more if the  borders were a light solid or a small dot.

I played around with some mock-ups this morning.
Without sashing I like how the edge pieces come together in the block corners to form crosses.
With the addition of gray sashing the blocks appear to have more depth.
But I think this block really shines on point. The tension between the diagonal force of the sashing and the vertical repeat of the coins creates a sense of movement and energy.

21 comments:

  1. That looks so fantastic on point!!! Yay you!!!

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  2. Fantastic block. And yep on the point is my favourite too!

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  3. I agree - on point and with sashing looks great!

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  4. On point is my favorite! I love the Miscellany line, but haven't bought any yet. Your challenge blocks are beautiful!

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  5. I suspected you'd do something fabulous with circles for this! Fun to see both your block versions, and the layout possibilities. I like the on-point with sashing for these fabrics, but the no-sashing option could be great with higher contrast prints/colors.

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  6. LOVE LOVE...I am not worthy...wish you would do a QAL for us lesser mortals!

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  7. It's a very cool block, I would love to give it a try if you are inclined to share its secrets at some point.

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  8. Your entry block is fantastic and the diagonal sashing does really bring it out.

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  9. oh you are such a curved piecing genius. I'm crushing on you even more now. *sigh*

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  10. whoa. all the curves are so scary to me, but you're fearless. gorgeous blocks.

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  11. I just found you & I love what you have done. You are the master of curves!!

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  12. Very Japanese and very Zen. I must learn how to do this for myself. Crushing like Katy now too!

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  13. Just happened upon your very interesting blog while surfing the net and trying to beat the heat. Your blocks are so perfect and the mock-ups show the possible variety. Your quilts are lovely--great curves!
    best from Tunisia,
    nadia

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  14. I'm so honored you jumped from my simple block for inspiration to your wonderful design! You sure know how to do those curves! It's lovely.

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  15. Great block. I like the On Point setting and once again well done for using curves.

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  16. LOVE the on point. You are a genius piecer. wahoo! awesome!

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  17. "coin trick" looove it! and it is sooo you!

    the last layout is my favorite... yes, you are a genious!

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  18. Very nice! I love the circles, great job, Dan!!

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  19. My favorite is the "on-point". How very clever......card trick in the round! It was a lot of fun to design with the Cloud 9 fabrics and won't it be great to see the final quilt! Hope it makes someone very happy!

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