Monday, November 3, 2014

Choose Your Own Block-Along, 11/3/14

And I'm back...to my regularly scheduled City Sampler blocks after the little break while being obsessed with the Ghastlies.

This week I did two blocks.

Number 15 completes the section of "crosses."

 I skipped a few blocks to make number 18, one of the first blocks in the section of "rectangles."
I have enough blocks to give you an idea of my layout thoughts. I was planning on starting at the top left with low-volume red and white blocks, adding more red, then gradually adding more red and green along with about an equal amount of white, then less white, until the center of the quilt where the blocks would be predominantly red. Then doing the same thing in green, gradually losing the red until the bottom right side where it will be all low-volume green and white blocks.

But as soon as I had the blocks on my wall, the two blocks that were more concentrated with red and a little white, and green and a little white, stuck out too much.
 So I rearranged them to be closer to the center. It goes against my original plan, which was to go from two colors on top and bottom and work my way to more concentrated blocks of both colors at the center. But I think the balance is much better.

What do you think? Layout 1 or layout 2?
I completed the whole month of a photo-a-day for soakwash on Instagram. It was really fun and I was able to stay on target every day. There are prizes to be won, but even if I don't win, I'm really glad I participated. By the way, the Yuzu scent in Flatter is amazing!! I always used unscented Best Press because I normally just don't do scented stuff. But there may have been a time or two when I actually sprayed some Yuzu Flatter on my wrists, it smells that good.
What have you been up to in the past week? Don't forget to see what Rene' and Michelle have been doing.


14 comments:

05 08
Rene' said... #

Both layouts look great to me Cindy! My head is fuzzy from cold medicine so I can't make a decision ;-)) I do love your two recent blocks! Off to make mine.....running a tad bit behind ;-)))

charlotte said... #

I like the second lay out best. I like the idea of concentrated colors in the center and fading towards the edges. This is going to be one beautiful quilt.

Cathy said... #

I like #1 best but I think I would have to look at them side by side to really tell. Plus depends upon how many more blocks and how they look. I don't use a design wall and agonize over such decisions so I'm probably not a good one to ask. If a quilt is going to be used and wrapped around a body no one ever then hangs it on a wall to see if the layout was good!

Leanne said... #

I love your idea of the fading colours to the edges. I think that you may find that the layouts are similar when you have more blocks, it just might be that the fabrics you picked for the two blocks you moved were very bold so fit better nearer the middle. This idea is inspiring.

Carla said... #

I really like your plan. It will be amazing. I want to get back to my blocks but I've had other things in my bloggy schedule : ) Soon.......

Jennifer said... #

I agree, layout #2 flows better than #1. I think it still gives you the idea flowing into the colors as you had originally thought. By adding in more blocks on the sides, I think it will equal it out even more. That's just my 2 cents... :)

Archie The Wonder Dog said... #

Your blocks look great!

Andee said... #

Either layout, this will be so pretty when done!

Cynthia Brunz Designs said... #

I say make a few more blocks before you decide. I like both layouts but I feel like you might be able to get a very cool effect by creating an "inner" border with those darker blocks just inside those lights. It is very pretty.

kack2 said... #

Love block #1 - lots of good ideas here, also.

OPQuilt said... #

Layout Two seems the more appealing at this point, but I agree with Cynthia (above). May not be a time to make that decision yet. Okay, and I'm linking up with tomorrow's post. Hope it lets me do that. (And no need to respond to my little linky!)

Elizabeth

Vicki said... #

I really like the second layout. These are great blocks.

Unknown said... #
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said... #

I like the second layout better than the first, but it is really close. 😊 can I ask the name of the reindeer name fabric in the first block? I love that fabric and it would be a great addition to my Christmas quilt. Luckygirlquilts@ gmail.com. Thanks!