What's Your Go-To Block?

When we were making batik sawtooth star blocks for the October block lotto on the quilting forum, Amy shared that someone told her that sawtooth star was her go-to block. I know it's one of mine, too.

Over the weekend, I smiled when I realized that I was making a couple of another one of my go-to blocks . . .



Both of these are for Kate's Birthday Block swap. The block on the left is for Christine, who asked for 12 inch blocks made from oriental fabrics on black background. I had originally planned to make a kimono block, but when, first, I couldn't find my pattern, and then, someone else make a kimono block for Christine, I went to one of my go-to blocks. It came out so nice (and flat), that I decided to make a second block, in 30's repros on a white-on-white background, for Faye. It's the one on the right. If I'd had some cream batik, Diane would likely received a purple batiks version, too . . . I was on a lone star roll.

My go-to blocks don't always serve me well, though. Here's the smaller 9 inch version I made (and rejected) a couple months ago for Amy. You can't tell in this photo, but the block is not even close to being flat. So I made a different star for Amy–the Wyoming Valley block on the right. I think it turned out to be a better choice and plays nicely with the other blocks she received.