Curves Ahead

Nancy's back from her class with Jean Wells at Asilomar and for one of her projects she used this adorable bird print from Michael Miller (shown pictured on top of 'Painters Canvas' print in indigo - the shop just got both this week). She worked outside her comfort zone, creating small pieces with solids and sewing curved seams.

We also received new Asian prints, including the most adorable cats...

Last Saturday I got back my blocks from other Block Party participants. I gave each person one square of a print and one of white and asked them to cut and sew them back together with a gentle curve (or more). This was a new technique for some, but everyone seemed to enjoy this different way to construct blocks. I could not be happier with everyone's contribution, but now I have to figure out my final design! Anyone can join our group at any time - we just welcomed another member this month.

--Carol

Challenges & Inspirations

Or should it be inspirations and challenges? I think I typically start a project working from an inspiration, but sometimes we're challenged and have to come up with our own inspiration. One of the vets from the Pathway Home Project requested a camouflage quilt, and Nancy rose to the challenge in her own way. Starting with a few brown prints, she managed to combine an assortment of large to small scale prints, batiks to modern designs, with accents of color including yellow, green, pink and blue. The variety of prints combined with the simple piecing and random arrangement mimic camo in a modern way. Block Party Club members thought this quilt could be the basis for a class on color theory - I know I'd love to take it!

Gail was inspired by the Wonky Stars block in Modern Blocks: 99 Quilt Blocks from Your Favorite Designers, so Block Party Club members were challenged to make blocks for her. It was a welcome challenge though - I keep seeing wonky stars all over the internet, so I knew I'd try the technique sooner or later. I'd say we were all successful (laid out on the design wall below). It was a fun, freeing technique! 

--Carol