Imperial Thoughts

Being powerful is like being a lady.  If you have to tell people you are -- you aren't.

Margaret Thatcher

Be sure to check out my Blog Hop Giveaway in the previous post.  

It continues till midnight September 3rd.

This and several dozen like it claimed my attention today and probably tomorrow too!  

More about them in a later post.  Like my staging?

Pear with Dramatic Lighting

I do sometimes do other things besides quilting out of necessity.  Moving on to the important stuff now.

Imperial 4 Patch Blocks

I came across this set of blocks a while back on my UFO shelves.  This is a set of Block of the Month Lottery blocks that I won about 20 years ago.  I tried to find the instructions today so I could share the pattern source but no luck so far.  I have one more place to look and I'll add it if I find it.

I had to look at them for a while to figure out which ones I made.  I finally decided it was these two.

My Imperial 4 Patch Blocks

Then I kept looking at one more.  It looked familiar, I knew I had the feather fabric and maybe I had the purple too.  I know I have it now in a green.  Then I turned the blocks over and looked at the thread used.  Sure enough they matched.  I had stitched them with a blue gray and a pale pink not matching the bobbin but just using what was in the machine. So this one was mine too.

Another Block I Made

Looking at these now gives a good snapshot of the fabrics available 20 years ago.  There are a few calicos, some Jinny Beyer, Benartex and RJR prints that I recognize.  Things have really changed.

I have 27 blocks so I could make one more or eliminate a few of the ones that have issues or don't work colorwise.  I could also split them into 2 groups of 12.  I think a group of 15 would be too long but that would use them all.  These are 12" blocks so with a border they would be a generous crib size.  I will be  donating them.

I love asymmetrical blocks like this.  There are so many ways to arrange them.  Just for fun I did a few in a different layout.  Which layout do you like best?  Do you think the purple one should go away?

Not sure the purple block is playing nicely with the others.

My border selections for my Safari quilt need to be made.

Safari Quilt

Want a closer look?

Border Options

On the left is a gold print that would work but I think it might be a little too light.  On the right side is a light rusty orange that looks good.  The gold could perhaps work as an inner border and the zebra print could be cornerstones.  The strips of 2" squares are still hanging there but I still don't think they will work.

Here's a couple of closer shots.  Yes, they do need pressing.

Love the lion's face

Cute little cub!

What choices do you like?  

I'm linking with:
 Design Wall Monday and Linky Party Tuesday and Fabric Tuesday and From Blank Pages

A Good Start

Never, never rest contented with any circle of ideas, but always be certain that a wider one is still possible.

Pearl Bailey

I put the first 16 blocks of the Arrowhead block up on the design wall today.  There will be more to come.

Arrowhead Christmas Blocks

I was working on this Flip Flop Block quilt back in the Spring.  That was just a few weeks ago, right?  If time start passing any faster I'm not sure I get anything else finished this year.  I have mixed feelings about the pattern.  I like the way it looks, this version is called Shadow Block, but there is a bit of wasted effort and fabric in the process.  You cut, sew, re-cut, sew and re-cut.  See the rows of squares on the right side and at the bottom?  Those were from 2" squares that I was able to get from the cut offs I just referred to.  I also have about an equal amount of 2 1/2" squares.

Shadow Blocks

My fabric choices are a bit low contrast and the quilt looks a little dark to me but lighter prints just did not work.  I had planned to use the squares in the borders but now that they are up on the wall together I think they detract from the curves in the blocks.  I need to decide on a border fabric.  I was thinking that a zebra print might look good but now I think it would be too light.  With borders this will be a good crib size quilt.  My question is will the scary African Masks and wild animal prints terrify a baby?  Any thoughts?

Sharing on Design Wall Monday and Fabric Tuesday and Linky Party Tuesday and WIP Wednesday

Oh, I got my Links Page up now!  Still have a few more to add but check it out!