Cake Talk Tuesday - Block One

Last Tuesday, Nov. 2nd, was the start of the Layer Cake Quilt Along hosted by Konda at Moose on the Porch Quilts. Click on the photo above and it will take you to the very first post with the information about fabric requirements.


The first designer was Gene Black. He called his block Alabama Spinner.
Click here to go to the post with his information and block instructions.


I debated briefly whether I should use a dark green with the light blue in this block. But, as you can see in this photo, there really isn't that much contrast between them - and Gene stressed the importance of contrast.


I went back through the blue pile again because blue is the most plentiful colourway in my layer cake. You can click here to go to my post about my fabric choices for the quilt along. I discovered that there are different shades of blue in the mix and felt the combination in the photo above was a strong enough contrast.



I really like how the block turned out. You can see there is an extra yellow bonus stripe on my light blue print. It is a print with a border and I read over the cutting and assembly instructions a few times to make sure the 10"square would work.



I did lay out the block with the yellow on the outside edge.
I felt it was a distraction from the spinning motion of the star, so I put the yellow to the inside.




I also made a second block using my fat quarter collection. I really like the effect of the stripy fabric in the star. I think, though, now that it's altogether, I would change the position of the small print and the black print. I think the smaller print isn't small enough, but isn't that part of the challenge and fun?!
I should also mention that Gene's block includes an optional applique circle in the middle square. I haven't decided if I will add it to either block yet.





Check out the Layer Cake Quilt Along flickr group to see all the great blocks. It's a great way to learn about value and contrast - without sacrificing your own fabric!:)
Make Gene's block and post a photo of it at the group site before the next block comes out November 16th to be in the running for a prize!

With Joy,
Sarah Vee