Tuesday, February 19, 2019

Sixteen Blocks

American nationalism isn't... nativist or imperial or xenophobic, or it shouldn't be. Those attachments belong with other tired dogmas that Americans consigned to the ash heap of history.
~ John McCain ~

Chugging along. Sixteen blocks are now complete but I didn't count as I grouped and cut fabric so there are several more on the tray. Why do I do this?

Eight-pointed star variations have medium and pastel colors surrounding white fabric stars. The center circles haven't been chosen yet.
Sixteen Shadow Star quilt blocks

They aren't laid out in any particular order. Some seem to belong to different groups. And there's the reason... or at least my way of working myself out of the corner of excess blocks. Since I usually make extras when planning larger quilts, the leftovers can be used for a smaller lap or baby quilt. It keeps the fabric moving, reduces clutter {if I get the second one made quickly} in my sewing area,  and gives me a larger selection for the quilt(s).

EDIT: The design is based on an old newspaper clipping from my cousin once removed. No idea what paper. Not terribly accurate. She had a note that I interpreted as "Aunt Ethel's quilt" - the one I have a vague memory of. Using the layout I drafted this design myself. No other information. Sorry.

Want to see the finished quilt? Skip ahead a few years to this post.

The book I'm reading now is The Restless Wave: Good Times, Just Causes, Great Fights and Other Appreciations by John McCain and Mark Salter. What a reminder of better times.

Enjoy the day, Ann

42 comments:

Julierose said...

Lovely star blocks Ann. Great quote, too..hugs, Julierose

Millie said...

I did not understand at first that these were smallish blocks to be used in a group. I like your combinations and love your fussy centers. I always make more blocks because it gives me more flexibility in getting the final quilt to look the way I want it to. And because things look different in real life than we often think they will. Naturally I love the fussy cut points.

Diane Wespiser said...

What is the name of this beautiful pattern/block? With more blocks you may be able to arrange the blocks in a spectrum fashion. You're doing a great job!

patty a. said...

Your blocks are wonderful! I never count either and always have pieces, parts, and blocks left over. How many blocks will be in this quilt?

LA Paylor said...

this is stunning. I've never seen a block like it, it sparkles. Bet it was fun to design. LOVE the quote by John McCain. It should be true, is true for some of us.

Nann said...

....It appears the spammers got you. (I ran a similar comment through Google translate. It was about washing machines!) .... Meanwhile: the star blocks are absolutely radiant!!! The fussy-cut centers are fun accents.

audrey said...

What fantastic looking blocks! My favorite is block #7--it practically glows!

Gale Bulkley said...

What a beautiful collection of blocks.

Robin said...

These are really lovely blocks. You've put some great color combinations together. Makes me wish I could get a closer look...

Linda @ kokaquilts said...

These blocks look amazing! Love how they look all together, lots of work. And, do one or two have different sized centres, or is it just how the fabric looks?

em's scrapbag said...

Your blocks are beautiful! Glad to know I'm not alone in the making of extra blocks. Fun to have options and I find other quilts ideas come to mind that might not have with out these extra blocks.

Nifty Quilts said...

That was fast! These are great blocks, and they all look like they go together to me. I love excess blocks. Orphans become quick future quilts.

lvkwilt said...

I don't think I've seen this pattern before, but I really like it! Was there paper piecing involved or just incredible piecing? Looks perfect to me! Can you share the name of the designer?

Mel Beach said...

These are absolutely gorgeous!!! And I love all the center fabrics! This is destined to be another show stopper!

Angie in SoCal said...

Fabulous!!

Mary Marcotte said...

Oh wow! It's absolutely stunning!

Janie said...

Beautiful work, Ann! Making extra is a good for arranging choices.
And yes, good quote.

Mystic Quilter said...

Amazing star blocks Ann!, love the way the white star points blend beautifully into the background.

Kaja said...

One of the things I like most about these is how the colour choices can make different elements stand out - so in some the central star advances more, in others it's the inner or outer squares. It's quite subtle but very interesting to look at and creates a lovely flowing sense of movement.

Ann said...

These biographies have good messages.

Ann said...

Extra blocks help in the final layout, don't they. I don't know how anyone could figure them all out ahead of time so extras wouldn't be needed.
I should do more fussy cutting. Looks good; shows off the fabric.

Ann said...

I added some info to the post, Diane.

Ann said...

16 or 25. Or perhaps some other amount.

Ann said...

I miss John McCain. What an honorable man who believed in serving his country as opposed to selling his country out for more hotels.

Ann said...

Funny. I run them through the translator, too. But I think these may have links to "cialis" or other junk like that. I mean, why would you post worldwide bout Saudi laundry? Sometimes I think I need to filter all the comments. Sigh.

Ann said...

I kept going back and forth with that one. The colors clash just a bit but that makes them glow (as you wrote.)p

Ann said...

Thank you, Gale.

Ann said...

It was fun to group the fabrics. Thanks, Robin.

Ann said...

Hopefully all the centers will be the same size. They aren't turned yet.

Ann said...

It is a treat to have extra blocks on hand for smaller gift quilts.

Ann said...

You are a champ of using orphans to great effect, LeeAnn.

Ann said...

I drafted it from a very old newspaper clipping.

Ann said...

Thanks, Mel.

Ann said...

Thanks, Angie.

Ann said...

They were fun to make, Mary.

Ann said...

John had a way of looking at things clearly, didn't he?

Ann said...

That's my favorite part, too, Maureen. I love the way they disappear.

Ann said...

I've been interested in how much the white background changes these little bits of fabrics. And how the emphasis changes when they are moved to another position. I could have made many more.

Shelina said...

That is a beautiful design and all your blocks look wonderful. Did you have an Aunt Ethel who made a quilt like that? I don't like counting but I usually make less than what I need and make up the difference once I actually do count. My latest quilt, I made too many quarter square triangles, so maybe I will make it bigger, or maybe they will go on the back. Not sure yet.

Ann said...

This is either the block Aunt Ethel made or very similar. I only saw it once when I was very young. My cousin left some notes that I've been using.

Marie said...

Aren't they gorgeous!

Ann said...

Thanks, Marie. I'm glad you like them, too.