June Block and Quilt

June's block continues expanding our palette with additional rose and pinks. It's a fun, graphic design of pieced light squares alternating with solid dark rectangles.

Sometimes a block inspires me to ask questions and those questions often lead to a new quilt design. After I designed the June block, I started down that path and asked some questions.

• What if I made the block bigger? Instead of the block finishing at 12”, it could finish at 18.

• And then what if I made a reverse of the block, where the pieced four-patch and strips became solid and the solid strips became pieced?

• And then arranged them in an alternate block setting?

Before I knew it, I was grabbing fabrics and cutting them up so I could answer those questions, piece the quilt, and share this idea with you.

When Inspiration Strikes

I’m helpless in the face of inspiration. When it calls, I have to answer, no matter how inconvenient it might be at the time. Even when in the midst of many different projects, I find it hard to resist a new idea. If you read my art blog, you’ll know that my creativity is solar-powered; give me glorious sunshine and a warm breeze and ideas start flowing.

Yesterday, when I was working on designing and writing the instructions for the June Block of the Month, I found myself asking questions.

• What if I make an inverted version of this block?
• And place them in an alternating setting with the original block?
• And then size the blocks up 50%? Or even 100%?

I quickly mocked up the quilt design in Electric Quilt and showed it to Cynthia. We both agreed it was a go—even though I had no need to start a new project. But I am helpless in the face of inspiration, so I had to give in. (Had to? Had to? In the sake of true blog honesty, let me admit that I was desperate to start this new quilt, regardless of all the other projects I have in process.)

So I began pulling fabrics from the shelf. I started with bright, fun Amy Butler fabrics. I had a nice selection, but wasn’t quite feeling it.

I wandered around the shop for a bit began pulling dusky shades of teal and blue and green, with creams and mushrooms, taupes and grays for a more sophisticated neutral palette. That was it! The fabrics matched my vision.

I did some quick calculations, figured out how much fabric I needed, and began cutting. Before the night was over, I had the piecing plan outlined and all the fabric cut.

The next block of the month is Saturday, June 25^th, so I would have plenty of time, except for the fact that Cynthia and I are heading to Columbus next week for Yarn Market. I’ve mapped out a timeline and if I stick to it, I should have no problem finishing it in time. Unless of course, inspiration strikes again.