Posted on by agilejack

Sixteen More Fresh Start Blocks on My Design Wall

Since I did all the heavy lifting on the next 16 Fresh Start blocks last night, It didn’t take long tonight to finish them up tonight.

And now I have 32 blocks up on my design wall and I’m loving this more and more.

I really wish you could see this in person. The photos really don’t do it justice. I keep finding myself just standing there staring at it!

I’ve been wondering how big I want to make this quilt. I was concerned that I needed to have an even number of blocks across the width of the quilt so that the edges would be symmetrical. What I mean is that I thought it might look better if the left side and right side of one row of the quilt are the same — either an X or an O.

The arrangement above is an odd number of blocks across the width. See how the left side starts with an X and the right side ends with an O?

I don’t think it needs that extra block. I think the quilt is busy enough that you won’t even see that the ends of the rows are different.

I haven’t made a final decision and it will be interesting to see how this looks with more blocks. I’ve been thinking I might make it 7 blocks wide by 8 blocks high. That would make it finish at 63 inches by 72, which is a pretty good size for a throw quilt.

The first thing I had to do this evening to finish these blocks was to cut the fabric for the corners. I cut all of that black fabric that I have left. I’m going to have to buy more! I’m going to call the store where I bought it tomorrow and see if they still have some. I still have plenty of the jumble. I use a LOT of the jumble so always have at least a couple yards in my stash.

I got the squares cut… more than I needed, actually. Then got all the triangles pinned onto the finished center pieces… 8 with black corners, 8 with jumble.

I had exactly the number of pins I needed for these 16 blocks! Three pins per triangle… one triangle left to pin!

Then I sewed them all with the chain piecing method. It went really fast. Then I was on to pressing and squaring up.

I was done with this pretty early. So I got me and my boys all bundled up, lit, and sufficiently covered in reflective materials and we headed out for our evening walk at about 7:30. It was really nice out and we saw lots of people and dogs who were all dressed like us! We had a nice two-mile walk. I decided to give myself the rest of the night off from sewing.

I managed to purchase a new dishwasher today and I did the entire transaction via text. I wonder if people actually go into stores any more to purchase appliances. Well, at least dishwashers. They have literally hundreds of dishwashers available on their website and they all essentially LOOK the same. I can’t imagine that they have more than 15 or so in their store and you can easily read about the features of each one. I bought from a local chain of stores. I didn’t love the idea of using one of the big box stores. I’m not terribly impressed with their customer service.

I selected a Bosch. Everything I hear about them is excellent. I got the one I wanted on sale and upgraded to a stainless steel interior. It was going to take 2-3 weeks to get one ordered, but the rep said that someone else had ordered the exact same item and the store was holding it for them. She asked them if they would let me have that one and order another one for them, and they agreed. So I will have my new dishwasher installed on Friday! They actually wanted to install it tomorrow, but Friday is much better for me.

I think I’m going to stop hand washing dishes so I have some to put in there on Friday.

And look at this distinguished gentleman.

He crosses his feet more and more as he gets older. It’s pretty cute.

As the evening winds down I’m drinking my second-to-last egg nog with bourbon for this year. It looks like the eggnog and bourbon will run out at the same time with my next indulgence. I’ve really enjoyed this little treat this year.

I’m supposed to play pickleball in the morning but it doesn’t look like the weather is going to cooperate. We have a pretty rainy ten days coming up.

We’ve had a very mild and relatively dry winter so far. Fingers crossed we get the water we need so we’re not on fire this summer.

57 Replies to “Sixteen More Fresh Start Blocks on My Design Wall”

  1. I really like this quilt! The black and white fabrics really make the colors pop and they are so much more interesting than solids. I agree with you that the sides need to be symmetrical.

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  6. I’m in the line of those who absolutely love this quilt! And the pictures of your pups always make smile. Can’t wait to see this quilt top done. It’s going to be a photo of one I want to make too. 👏👏👏👏

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  8. The cross road quilt is beautifully colourful….your bags and quilts look so interesting …not a boring one in all your collection. Your friends and colleagues must love you and your generosity ….🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

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  9. Hi! I’m dying to see other settings for those blocks. They seem essentially similar to half square log cabin blocks. How about barn raising, streak of lightning, etc! Endless possibilities!!

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  10. Oh, how I love this quilt you are making! Your fabric choices are always perfect. If you don’t mind, I would like to know the name/maker of the black fabric, please. Also, give the boys a love pat for me!

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    1. It’s called Land of Utopia by M&S Textiles. you can find it online. I just bought the rest of the bolt from the store when I bought this originally because I ran out!

      Anne

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  11. Wow Anne! Stunning! I may have to make one of these, looking forward to your tutorial : ) That said, this Virgo wants the ends to be symmetrical, and I really like the open X going off the edge of the quilt (as on the left of the photo). I like the “expanding outward” movement that gives the edges. Give your distinguished gentleman a cuddle for me…one of my dogs does that pose and it is adorable!

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    1. This might not show yet, but the open Xs will go off both sides… just on alternating rows. I don’t think your eye will notice it once it’s all done.

      I’ll make a decision when I get closer to the finish!

      Anne

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  13. And, Argh! I see now that one facet of symmetry will have to bow to the other: the dark/light triangles or the pattern the panels make. I’m going to pencil out how a barn-raising arrangement will look but it will sacrifice the dark/light symmetry.

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  14. I just totally love this quilt! Will you be giving us a more detailed description of how to make it? Or, did I miss a blog where you already did that? Thanks!

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  15. I’m loving this quilt more and more! When I get home, I’m going to sit with my scrap bags and start collecting for this project. I personally don’t feel it makes any difference whether the beginning/ending of rows are x’s or o’s. What I notice mostly is the riot of color. What a wonderful quilt!

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    1. I agree. I don’t think anyone would ever notice that when the quilt is in use! There’s too much going on to keep the eye from noticing that detail.

      Get your butt home soon!

      Anne

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    1. I’ve seen a good number of variations on this block over the years. There are also plenty of tutorials out there. But my take on it is a little different so I think it’s worth sharing how I go about making buy blocks.

      Bosch was installed today. it’s gorgeous!

      Anne

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  18. Your quilt is going to be beautiful! I really like this quilt block. Have you posted a tutorial or cutting instructions for this quilt? I would really love to be able to make one as well.

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  19. I absolutely love this new quilt you are working on. What is the name of the black Aboriginal fabric you are using opposite the Jumble? Thanks for your posts and taking the time to post about your life.

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  20. Love love this quilt! Is Jumble the actual name of the one fabric? If so is it a Kaffe fabric? My standard poodles alway layed with their legs crossed. So cute! Love your dogs❤️

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    1. Jumble is the name of the fabric. It’s one of the Kaffe Fassett Collective fabrics. The designer is Brandon Mably. He is one of three designers in the collective: Kaffe, Philip Jacobs and Brandon. I love Brandon’s designs!

      Anne

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  21. I wasn’t sure about those KFs and Aboriginals together, but now I love that quilt beyond words!!

    We have an 18″ Bosch and love it. My 1927 kitchen is very small. I bought all Samsung appliances when we renovated in 2019, but the Bosch was the size we needed and we could put a cabinet front on it, so you couldn’t tell it didn’t match the other appliances.

    I’m one of those strange people who loves washing dishes by hand, so we run the dishwasher only when we’re out of silverware. 😂

    Sending wishes for sunny weather from the Caribbean, aboard Holland America Eurodam. 🚢

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  22. I think you should add another row on the right side. I love the quilt but when I look at it what stands out is the 4 patch of black and white with color running through it. It’s not whether the row has an x or O so much as an incomplete 4 patch .

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  23. Hi and Happy New Year! I want to tell you your new quilt is lovely! I love all the color and pattern play! My two cents is I do like the even number block rows better. (More consistent for the eye.) And congratulations on buying your new dishwasher. You will be extremely happy with the Bosch. My last two dishwashers (two different houses) have been Bosch and it’s the only dishwasher I will ever buy.

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  24. Anne…you made an excellent choice on the dishwasher…I have a Bosch and LOVE IT!! Also love your newest quilt…eager for your instructions so I can make one too😊!

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  25. Hello I love this layout! At first when I saw the fabric I was not sure it was something that I would like, I just couldn’t see the big picture. All I can say is Wow! The B&W really pulled it together with the X & 0. Have you ever sold or will sell your pattern?

    Gwen Z

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    1. I love the bold graphic black and white prints with the bright colors. It really works in my brain. It’s bold and isn’t for everyone. I’m glad you are seeing where I was going!

      Anne

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  27. I switched to a Bosch dishwasher and when I ran it the first time, I swore it wasn’t working. It was so quiet compared to my previous one!! I love it. It’s worth every penny.
    And….your quilts are wonderful. This one is my favorite!
    Sandy P.

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  29. Boy, that is stunning! My jaw literally dropped open when I saw it all together
    I would never have expected it to look so cool! I didn’t notice the Xs & Os until you pointed them out, & it’s still hard to focus on them! 😄
    Thank you so much for… well everything!

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