I've done pieced-together quilting and bunting and even a couple mug rugs, but it wasn't until today that I completed my very first quilt block. This block is going to be part of a larger project, (gosh it would look so great as a pillow on our sofa as well), but anyway, I couldn't wait to share it. I am so proud of the way it turned out, and it wasn't easy!
After much deliberation, I decided to start with the traditional log cabin style block. I wanted a block style where you could clearly show off a fantastic print, such as Victorian Dream by Quilting Treasures, as shown. I also considered card trick and wonky log cabin but leaned towards clean lines since the print was not straight.
I made it modern by fussy cutting a large center piece, off-centering it, and using some kick-ass modern day prints - some of which came out of my scrap stash and others are new from my favorite fabric store ever, Fancy Tiger.
The greatest challenge for me (besides deciding on the style) were the colors. The first time I laid this block out, I used prints that were all shades of brown. They were nice patterns, but honestly, it was boring, and I knew that. I needed to be a little more risky. I needed to know when someone looked at the block, that their eyes would be taken on a little journey of discovery.
After a couple trips to the fabric store for inspiration, where I did pick up the awesome black and gray fabric used in the block, which incidentally was a remaining bolt from a Gothic, Halloweeny line of prints (very fitting for a Victorian block) -- the colored fabric I ended up using came from my existing stash.
That's one of the reasons I'm so excited about this block. I didn't rely on a pre-selected bundle chosen by someone else to come up with the contrasting colors and patterns. Nope, this is all my creation, (except for the actual prints, of course).
PS, I love getting a great bundle of prints - but I also love successfully choosing the fabrics myself and knowing no one else in the world is making something with the same print combination. I was reminded of all of the oil paintings I did when I was younger. Colors were so challenging for me, but it was when I got the colors right that I really felt like an artist, like I created something great and unique in the world.
Sincerely, Stacy
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