an Invigorating Patchwork

in random log cabin blocks

After a quilt that felt predictable and easy, it feels invigorating to turn to a more puzzling sort of patchwork.

Fun, right? Blocks have started arriving in my mailbox from other members of the Comfort circle quilting bee. As requested, the patchwork is blue and white, made in any kind of log cabin style and any size.

I start by arranging blocks intuitively on my design wall to start feeling my way into this quilt.

I notice right off that I really like how the more predictable blocks stand out amongst the chaos. With that in mind, I have made another block with consistent log sizes and repeating fabrics, in the style of my Circus Cabin quilt pattern.

I’ve also sewn a very balanced courthouse steps block, this time in low contrast blues. That block will bring a measure of calmness to the mix. And, I also joined four small log cabin blocks into one square block, just to tidy things up.

I can feel that there are no wrong answers with this quilt. It invites me to explore, to play. Here I have started three new blocks. Two are really scrappy, using low volume blue/white prints from my tiniest scrap bin. The third block will have full rounds of logs in the same fabric, creating concentric squares.

Though at the end, I veered off target with my concentric squares and allowed the block to have an off-kilter personality! Ah well, no worries. I’m happy with each and every block, from my hands and from my bee mates. It will be such a nice challenge to work them together into a serendipitous finished work!