Sunday, February 12, 2023

SAHRR Round 3

This week's directive for the round was hourglass blocks. I like making them: make two HSTs, put them back together with opposite values touching, sew either side of the diagonal once again, cut apart, press and voilà! two QSTs aka hourglass blocks. Once again, however, I just didn't know how to incorporate them around my quilt. I first thought of doing them tipsy, to keep on with the whimsical theme, by adding half of a rectangle to either side. Somehow it didn't gel. So I did my RSC homework instead and let my back-brain stew. I'm not sure what inspired me to come up with a double-fade: fade in size and value, that is, but by Saturday afternoon (finally - three days of sewing, okay and real life too, later) I had it together.




I first thought to fade in one direction. Offset it to keep that off-kilter whimsical vibe.
It seemed to leave a lot of …. space.

So then I had the brilliant idea if I do say so myself, to fade in both directions!

I’ll spare you the moaning about my aching brain cells doing the math to bring three fading hourglass blocks each up to 4.5” unfinished as well as the rejected background fabric, a super-pale green with flecks of pale mauve within. It’s beautiful fabric but 
A. it was white in the background and I’m staying with warm: cream, ivory and tan.
B. I didn’t think (and oh yes was I ever right) that I’d have enough to do all four sides. 

I found the beautiful gold stars print in my stash or, as I wrote on Instagram, my Vault of Happiness, Tracie of Joyfully Tracie and knew it was absolutely perfect. Rich, warm tones are in this vintage fabric, and stars, which seem to be appearing, even in the original orphan block! This was not planned, but, just like the fabric with flecks, be they feathers or dots, I’m going with it.

You may notice a narrow (3/4" finished) black border between the stars and hourglass blocks rounds. It needed separation; it was too much, too chaotic without it. So now the hourglass fade floats, and it calms the crazy down a bit I think!

I wonder what this next week will bring? It’s the PQ challenge too so I’ll be busy!

Linking up

16 comments:

  1. Ha ha... for those, I would have just forgot about the math, made them all one size, then cut them down to make the smaller blocks. I do like the choice you made with this round.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I like the fading blocks. Math can be so much fun at times and not so good at other times, your math looks like it worked out perfectly.

    ReplyDelete
  3. That is such a cool idea! Love the duel fade affect.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love some of the choices you've made with this one. I love that it's not centered and the same on all sides. The offset gives so much more interest, so many more reasons to look again and again.

    ReplyDelete
  5. The fading hourglass blocks are a neat effect! I enjoyed looking at your quilt top so far - lots to see!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Calming the crazy? That works, Sandra. LOVE the size fade (and that might be just the solution I'm looking for with the few blocks I made for Round 3.) I ran out of my focus fabric before I ran out of border! I have smaller chunks, but those wouldn't work for the block size I was using. Hmm... Off to the studio to see if your idea could be the answer I've been looking for.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Looking good!! Seeing such creative ways to interpret each week's challenge is always enlightening!

    ReplyDelete
  8. The double fade is just perfect! I love what you did and how you made this work. A coping strip is always a good idea with these projects.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Oh, the quilty math you had to use. I am so impressed, Sandra!! How small is the smallest one? LOVE how this is coming together. {{Hugs}} ~smile~ Roseanne

    ReplyDelete
  10. Very clever solution to the challenge. And it suits your quilt well.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Math can be a pain, but you did very well, Sandra! LOL I wouldn't expect less from you! I love how your quilt is coming together!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Oh my! It's looking so good & it's been long time since I joined in a Round Robin type challenge. Love your ideas & look forward to seeing what comes next. Take care & hugs.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Sandra, this is Eva writing. It was good to let your thoughts concentrate on other things and with a „klick“ it comes. Same to me, but I am running a little bit behind. Because my „klick“ needs a moment to come…. And using a fabric with direction is always a challenge in the challenge. Yes, let us see what Monday brings! Start well.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I really love that you let yourself think about this while you worked on another project. The solution is fantastic; you know I love a good fade in color and the size transition is really eye catching, too!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I love your fade in size AND value hourglass blocks. So clever!!!

    ReplyDelete