Still Plays with Blocks

 

I’ve participated in the Utah State Fair Quilt Challenge since 2007. My sewing room walls are filled with the quilts I’ve designed and constructed for the challenge. If I want to hang another, first I’ll have to take one down. This Thursday, I’ll submit my new quilt at the fairgrounds, and then for a week I’ll keep my fingers crossed that the judges will like it. The challenge fabric this year was Lori Holt’s Autumn Floral for Riley Blake. It’s a busy, medium-value print that was tricky to design around. The theme for this year’s challenge was, “Anything Goes.” I took my inspiration from my own sewing machines (I have four), and from a dozen favorite quilt blocks. Clockwise from the top left, they are: Old Maid’s Puzzle, Ohio Star, Economy Block, Dragon’s Head, Pinwheel, Big Dipper, Flying Dutchman, Eccentric Star, Coffin Star, Sawtooth Star, and Flying Geese. And on the top, a Spool Block, of course!