Well here is my starting point for laying out all the 9-patch blocks. I started with the yellows in the corner as this is the first colour in the 3-in-1 tool chart. I then started adding the other colours: chartreuse; yellow green; spring green; green; blue green; aqua; aqua blue; turquoise blue; cerulean blue. Then I realised that I didn't have enough of the violets, purples and blue purples to blend into the remaining colour. So I had to do a re-think. Stepping back though I was pleased with how the blocks were looking and how they were blending together. Then I realised that I had a lot of oranges and brown colours, but not much purple and magenta. Looking at the wall I knew the solution would be to add the oranges and browns at the top left. This meant that I had to move all the blocks already placed down to the bottom right of my design wall!! This took some time as I had to keep stepping on and off a stool to reach the top!
So at this stage I knew I would have to blend my browns along the top as well as down the side. I would then be able to utilise the black and black and white blocks.
Once I had all the blocks
placed I noticed that some stood out too much. It seems I don't do random very well. I have to keep tweeking and moving until I am happy. So to get the blend it was inevitable that I would have to swap some of the squares that just 'do not go'. The problem now was trying to find colours and material that hadn't been used before as my aim was to have each square different with no repeat fabric - although some are the same but a different colourway. So I spent three days on and off, swapping and trying to find replacements for those squares I didn't like. In the end I had to say enough was enough otherwise I would still be at it!
So here we are. The quilt is 13 blocks by 13, giving a total of 169 blocks, and the total number of unique 2.5" fabric squares is 845. Wow. I would never have achieved this without doing the initial swap. Shame I don't have the contacts for the people I initially swapped with. I changed computer and email provider recently and have lost many of my old infrequent contacts. Shame.
