With the last few blocks to do, the challenge was to design blocks that would complement the patterns and colors of the other 9 blocks and create a harmonious and cohesive quilt. The final quilt challenge will determine whether I succeeded in this task. The quilts will be posted by Nov 15th and voting will go from Nov 16th -30th.
June’s block was Drunkard’s Path (below left). This traditional block is simply a quarter of a circle set within a square. There are many, many ways that these can be set to make a block or quilt. As you can see in my modern version (below right), Drunkard’s Bull’s Eye, there are numerous drunkard’s path subunits in each quarter circle gradually enlarging from the center outward with alternating light and dark. The light colored fabrics were graded from light to darker as you moved from the center outward which gives it incredible depth and a luminous quality. It just seems to jump out at you while at the same time it recedes into the distance. This was my favorite block of the 12, and I can see a large one-block quilt in my future!
The final block of the challenge was Jacob’s ladder.
This block when put together in a quilt, can create some beautiful secondary patterns. Just search Pinterest for Jacob’s ladder quilts and you will see a beautiful mix of traditional and modern takes on this classic block.
I played around quite a bit with this one, and below are several drafts of potential blocks designed in EQ7.
But in the end, I decided to make it a little simpler than the original and give it the look of an actual ladder. I reversed the colors on either side of the ladder and I love the contrast. The turquoise, purple, and orange also complement two of the other blocks…Sailing the Chevron Sea and ZigZag BowTie. My version of Jacob’s ladder won the last block challenge.
I had one last block to create. I wasn’t able to do the rail fence block during the month it was featured, so I had a chance to design a block to balance the colors and pattern of my Spiral Pinwheel block. The “Rail Fence in a Rail Fence” does a great job of complementing the pinwheel block, and I was very happy with the result. What do you think?
Rail Fence in a Rail Fence Spiral Pinwheel
TaDa! Below are my twelve blocks!
Ironically, I thought the due date was Sept 10th, so I was frantically working to get it finished. For the last few months of the challenge I was already playing around with the layout on my graphics program, and was doodling with the the quilting motifs for each block on my iPad. That sped things up a lot. The piece was on the frame and I was quilting it when I checked the site to see if anyone had already posted a finished quilt and low and behold, found that it was not due until Nov 15th! I was so relieved! I had to go to Maryland to help my daughter haul two horses to North Carolina, so I had plenty of time after my trip to finish it. I’m super happy with it and can’t wait for the big reveal in November. Here is a sneak peek of some of the quilting:
Stay tuned for voting Nov 16th to Nov 30th to vote in the final Quilt Challenge!
Oh my! That’s looking incredible. The quilting is blowing me away too! You have this contest in the bag. Will you be releasing any of your block patterns after you win the contest?
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HI Afton,
Thanks! I don’t know about that, Mel B and Paige have some beautiful blocks! I have been keeping good notes of all the blocks. Once the contest is over, we will see what I can do about releasing them. Thanks for the interest! I’m sorry that I missed out on your challenge. Definitely, the next one! jackie
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I can’t even choose which block I like the best. What a remarkable work of art and interpretation.
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Thank you, Mary!
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Wow! I love it!
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thank you so much! The whole process has been a tremendous growing experience!
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I love your rail fence in a rail fence. It’s my favorite and I hope I get to see how you quilt it out. So talented and a good eye for color!! I miss seeing you and the crew at Wild Oaks.
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Thank you, Brenda! ARe you still in Weatherford?
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