Friendship Blocks

Through my friend, Sue W., I am doing a friendship block exchange.  I think there are 12 of us in the group.  We 12 friends each make 12 of one block.  Then we exchange and we all should end up with 12 different blocks so we can make a sampler quilt.

My block is a tulip block.  I followed the pattern and my blocks were too small.  Then I read the directions more closely and in one part it said to do a scant 1/4" seam.  I don't do scant very well so I cut my center pieces larger.  That worked way better for me and I finally got the blocks the correct size.  I have 4 blocks that are too small.

I also experimented with color.  The background is a black batik with orange and yellow dots.  I thought that orange flowers would be good.  I also thought it would be good to use blue somewhere since blue is the complement of orange.  None of my color experiments worked as good as the original color suggestion in the pattern.  So I made more the proper color of red and green.  The red was dark and blended a bit with the background but it was still the best color choice.  I wouldn't have know if I hadn't tried so I am glad I took the time to play with color.

Initially, I we were going to exchange the blocks on September 3.  I was really working for a week to get my blocks done.  It is slower to change colors all the time than just do a bunch the same color so you can cut once but color change was still fun.  Now we do not exchange our blocks until almost the end of September.  I am still happy that I have my blocks finished.