I've been slow to start making scrappy yellow blocks for the Rainbow Scraps Challenge this month, both because yellow fabrics aren't well represented in my stash or scrap bin and because I know that finding "light," "medium," and "dark" yellows with enough contrast is going to be challenging.I started with my blocks for the Mod-Mod Quilt-Along. This month's lotto block, Sunrise, is a half sun shape. In the Mod-mod quilt, pairs are combined to form a full sun shape. I decided to combine the halves and sew the block as a paper-pieced donut then add the circle center and outer background using the 6-minute circle technique.
If you google Dale Fleming 6-Minute Circle you’ll find links to Dale Fleming demonstrating her technique on Simply Quilts (on the HGTV website) and a longer version (with other shapes and examples) from her onThe Quilt Show (if you are a member). The book contains a lot of information on color and design principles and how to use the technique with different shapes. It was published almost 10 years ago, but I noticed that Amazon has it available on Kindle.
When choosing fabrics for the block, I was looking for contrast between the yellow fabrics and something that would play nicely with the existing blocks, so I put some of the blocks from previous months on the design wall to audition fabrics.
So far, so good. So I made a second full sun block. In the second block, I hand-appliquéd the circle in the center.
And when it was done, I couldn't resist laying out all the blocks made so far on the wall, placed as they will be in the quilt.
This weekend, I plan to make more Sunrise blocks–I'll need 5 pairs for the larger quilt.
I think I am working my way up to cutting and sewing the nearly 700 yellow triangles I'll need to make the broken dishes blocks for that rainbow scraps project ... because after sewing the sun blocks, I next turned to something easy–the single Oak Leaf block, made from 14 large half-square triangles (HSTs).
This was good practice with working with yellows and contrast. A couple of those HST units are a bit muddy, but I still like this big 10 by 15-inch block ... and it plays nicely with its friends.
This block, the scrappy version of one of last year's block patterns for the Block Lotto, makes me want to fracture more traditional shapes into triangles. I love the twinkle in these blocks.
I am linking this post with the weekly posts for Angela's ScrapHappy Saturday and Vicki's HSTeria QAL. Both these lists are rich with great ideas for quilt blocks and quilt design.
10 comments:
Finding nice contrast with yellow can be a challenge. Your blocks look great though! Your Oak Leaf has especially nice variety.
I LOVE the full sun block! Great combination of fabrics.
The oak leaves remind me of the feather and the fact that I really want a feather quilt . . .
What great work this week. That sun block with the curved piecing is a challenge but feels so good when it comes together well. Love the contrast you were able to get even with yellow. Well done!
All your blocks are stunning Sophie, and the ones on the design wall really look good together.
Such a pretty post. Both quilts are going to be amazing!
Your sun blocks and the leaf block turned out great. I do not have as much yellow as the other colours, also orange is low too.
I love dale Flemings method. My cows quilt is made using her instructions. Easy and precise!
I sure like those oak leaves. I'm going to have to try some one of these days. The sampler is pretty. I'm not sure which one of your samplers I like best.
Your oak leaves are looking a real treat, and your new Sunrise yellow blocks are great. I do follow The Quilt Show and will hunt and find the episode.
Oh my. Beautiful blocks. Great pictures. Such an interesting post.
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