I bought a terrific layer cake was bought a couple of years ago and it has been “waiting”, along with its solid coordinates, for inspiration to strike.
Future projects are stored in boxes…oops, sometimes for years! (Found a nice set of these at Costco.)
Then the other day I decided I wanted to insert strips of the coordinating colors into the squares. As you probably know, a layer cake is a stack of 10″ x 10″ squares. That means fat quarters (18″ x 22″) of solids will work well for insert strips.
I started by sorting the layer cake squares into stacks with the solids I wanted to use with them.
Layer Cake and Coordinates
Then I cut strips of various widths from the solids.The strips varied from 1″ x 18″ to 2″ x 18″, in 1/4″ increments. I cut a variety of widths from each solid color.
Strips ranging from 1″ to 2″ wide in 1/4″ increments
I had NO idea what I was going to do with these blocks once I got them modified; I just liked cutting them up and inserting strips–it takes very little to entertain some of us 😉 Then I remembered John Cage’s “prepared piano”. So I called these “prepared fabrics”.
I did the inserts in several ways, still working on this just for fun:
When I looked at my “prepared fabrics” together, it was apparent I wasn’t going to just sew them together along the edges (for several reasons)!
So the next step was to go to EQ (Electric Quilt, a computer program for quilt design) and make some designs:
Option #1. I’ve always loved concentric blocks, and alternating them like this produces a nice design easily.
Option #2. Concentric blocks off-center are even better!
Option #3. Flying geese are always a lively design element, and I just bought a special ruler for trimming!
Option #4: I haven’t done anything with gentle curves for a while. These look like flags to me.
What do you think? Anybody have a strong preference for one of these designs? Whatever I do, I think it will be fun to see how the inserted strips turn out in the final design 🙂
Zippy Quilts 
Well, each has its own particular attractive qualities. The next to the last one I like because it reminds me of the mountains. But the last one just seems to convey “happy!”
Thanks for visiting and commenting! Hope you’re having fun!
I like the idea of off-centered boxes, and it also seems “easy” and quickly gratifying. That’s not always the best reason to do something, though. 🙂 I’ll look forward to seeing how you use these.
I’m actually good with easy, especially when it produces a fun design!
I too lean to the off centered boxes. I think it would showcase the inserts you have already done most.
Those are my favorite, too. I just ordered some moda bella in key lime to use as the solid. Also ordered some iris as a backup in case I don’t like those blocks with the key lime when it gets here. So I guess that’s stash minus 1 layer cake plus 6 yards….
I actually like the simple symmetrical Option 1 which is unusual for me as I tend to like the not so normal things.
Thanks for commenting! It’s always good to hear from you.
Wow! Really fun to see the designs. I’m partial to the first one! Can’t wait to see what you make. 🙂
I’m drawn to option 2 and the flags.
Thanks!
For me, I vote the top one, without the benefit of EQ. I like all the blocks simply side by side, with those wonderful stripes of fabrics you sliced into them, going every which way. I’ll be interested in seeing what comes of this!
(PS I don’t often return to blogs I’ve commented on, so if you comment here (rather than sending it to my email), I probably won’t see it–again, fun squares!)
Hi Elizabeth,
Thanks for visiting and giving your input 🙂 I enjoy your blog.
Mary zippyquilts@gmail.com
Mary J Puckett ZippyQuilts@gmail.com My Blog: ZippyQuilts.wordpress.com