Back in 2014 when I was working on my book, Cut and Shuffle Quilts, the publisher asked me to use Kaffe Fassett prints in one of the quilts. Westminster Fibers generously provided some of the fabrics I requested, and I began the process.
The premise of the book is to make a starter block nicknamed the Block Mama, cut it up, and shuffle the parts to create various other blocks. For the Kaffe fabrics quilt, I started with print squares and off-black frames for the Block Mama. After making 20 Block Mamas, I realized that the project would look better if I made the Block Mama centers black and used the prints for the frames. So I made 20 new Block Mamas, cut and shuffled the parts, and had 20 new Four Corners blocks. Here's an illustration from my manuscript. *
With some pieced sashing added, the blocks became this quilt, Heat Wave.
In order to meet my book deadline, the original Block Mamas were set aside. They languished for years, because I didn't want to make another Heat Wave-like quilt. Finally, after a decade in orphan block status, a couple years ago I decided to do something with them so I took them to a retreat. I cut the Block Mamas into quarters instead of ninths. I framed the quarters with the same purple polka dot sashing as in Heat Wave. Then I set the blocks on point, and added off-black borders.
What a completely different look!!!! I was surprised and very pleased when at retreat I saw the 3-D effect created by the black and the purple sashing laid out on point. This project went from "gotta use these leftovers" to "wow, I actually like this!"
I enjoyed revisiting some of my favorite Kaffe prints that are no longer available. "Jupiter" is one of the most versatile ever.
The flimsy remained a UFO for a couple of years until I could get a backing made for it. I finally quilted it in October and bound it this week. The quilting is an allover meander in russet thread. Now the new quilt made from the leftover Block Mamas is finally finished.
The new quilt measures about 62 x 74" and will be donated to a local family services agency.
You may be wondering why the starter block is called the Block Mama. When I was working for a footwear company as a color specialist in the materials department, my immediate coworkers were in our Dong Guan, China facility. They had to be somewhat proficient in English. My job included sending them Color Standards, samples of the target color the materials were supposed to match. In English the industry term is Color Standard, but my China peers told me they call it the Color Mama. Cute! So since the Cut and Shuffle starter block is the parent for all the subtype blocks, I called it the Block Mama.
Anyway, I'm pleased to have those leftover Block Mamas out of orphan block and UFO status and into a finished quilt.
Link up: Alycia Quilts
* Cut and Shuffle Quilts has been out of print for several years. I'm not violating any copyright by using my own manuscript illustration and my own photo of Heat Wave.
