Monday, May 23, 2011

Paper piecing - take 2

Bee Block for Carrie

In the Aqua and Orange Bee, Carrie first asked if she could have red instead of orange. How can one say no to that? Then she said we could do whatever we wanted. Well, I have been trying to decide which of the many blocks on my list to try someday I would do. When the Mystery QAL pushed me to really try paper piecing, I picked my favourite block ever, Circle of Geese.

First I made the block the usual way to see if I could actually manage it. (I know I showed you this yesterday but remember it is my favourite block ever!)

Circle of Geese - trial run

When I looked at the other blocks already done (I am in Canada so my fabrics are always slower, so I can see what others are doing before I start), I realized that a mostly white block was not going to play well with the others made for the bee. So I switched it up.

What a difference in this block when you colour different parts, the geese disappear and a crazy star appears. When the edge is coloured the star is almost 3D. I want to make one with the geese in a dark grey or charcoal colour next.

Two approaches to the same block - colour can make a difference!

I have more paper piecing to finish today, and a whole lot of free motion quilting to get back to. And I am thinking a lot about colour and how it can change what you see in the same set of shapes.

Enjoy the holiday Monday.

Best,

Leanne

PS The template and tutorial that I used for the block are here at the Sometimes Crafter.

20 comments:

A.J. Dub. (Amy) said...

Very cool! It took me a minute to figure out it was the same block. And then you said it. :)

Mary Keasler said...

Those blocks are wonderful. I love how different they look with the placement of colors and fabrics. Your points are exquisitely perfect.

Shanna of Fiber of All Sorts said...

Both of these blocks rock! I totally didn't realize it was flying geese in the first block!

And this would be . . . . said...

Two different blocks from one pattern. Love it!

Linz said...

Those look gorgeous!! Sp pretty!! I can't belive they are from the same pattern!! Awesome!

MariQuilts said...

Wow, those look amazing. I've never really gotten into paper piecing, this almost makes me want to give it another go......almost.

Ruth said...

There are gorgeous too! You must be stoked with the results!

Marci Girl said...

Simply beautiful! This block is on my to do list also!

Marjorie's Busy Corner said...

Hi Leanne...the blocks look lovely; but I rally love the one you did when you uped the colour change...just jumps out at ya....nice job on the paper piecing....

Jennie {Clover and Violet} said...

I love them both! Great job. The color change is a really unique touch too, I love it.

Judith, Belfast said...

Wow! How clever you are! Firstly, I love red & aqua together. Secondly I'd never noticed that with the circle of FG before - how cool! This would make a lovely positive/negative quilt if you made lots of them. Inspired! Jxo

Sheila said...

That is an amazing block, it's like one of those magic pics where you have to close an eye to see the geese. The red gives it such depth.

Helen in Switzerland said...

Totally amazing blocks and I love your color combinations - it took me a couple of minutes to realize they were actually the same block. How cool is that!

Susan said...

Fabulous- I had to look more than once to realize that was the same pattern looking so wonderfully different because of your colour choice!

Manda said...

Amazing it looks like a completely different block at first!

Marg said...

Wow, isn't it amazing how different they look just from changing the placement of colour. I really can understand why it's your favourite block ever!

Michele said...

I love these blocks!

Mary Jo said...

Wow! These are amazing!! You did a GREAT job!

Anonymous said...

WOW...they're amazing!

momma said...

Great contrasting pair, now I just need someone great at math to show me how to make this in different sizes, I need a 12.5 block, and would love to do this.