It all started with the Classic Meets Modern Block of the Month. In the month of April, the classic block challenge was Double Z, and here is my thinking on modernizing the block.
The block didn’t just sit there; it got submitted to Sunshine Block Lotto and returned to me when I won 15 blocks. Since it didn’t play well with the other 14, I got the left over fabrics out to see what they could become.
I didn’t have as much as I had remembered, only enough to make four blocks. If I had measured correctly I could have made more. My 16-patch blocks are usually made from 4-inch pieces; I don’t know why. So, flying on automatic, I cut for 4-inch HSTs. Once they were assembled I realized my mistake; the original block had been 12 x12. There went my plans for layout–neither am I that friendly with my seam ripper nor did I want to waste that much fabric–no way was I resizing the four blocks.
I have enough fabric to make one more 12 x 12 (if I piece the dot) or 2-3 8 x 8. I lean to the latter, but nothing is cut yet. I have been playing with layout.
Easiest, but very traditional: duplicate the starter block and use the traditional 9-patch for setting.
But Plan A had been to split the quilt into light and dark, not repeat the mix. So next I tried something closer to Plan A:
Yes, one of the segments is upside down–can you pretend it is right? What I like about this one is that it is less symmetrical and in two places the original classic form of the block shows, the ones with a single background. And it has lots of negative space, a nice modern feature. Not being sold on this layout, I kept playing.
This one is growing on me, but I am not committed to it yet. Questions for you:
Does this seem a modern quit design to you?
Would you make one 12 x 12 block or make 2-3 blocks that are 8 x 8? And if so, where would you put them?
For background would you use all lavender or all darker purple or mix with lavender on the light half and the darker purple on the dark half? Or something else?
Do you have another layout to suggest?
I don’t have time to sew for a week, so I can wait for feedback. Planning to link up with Design Wall Monday and WIP Wednesday.
knitNkwilt 
Claire – check Pinterest page for HST’s – lots and lots of ideas for HST’s
I like this best when the block is split, used as half a block, with more negative space between the vertical half blocks…light shades of lavender and even medium could work to fill in around the half blocks…I am sure you will play around and come up with something
I like the last layout. Looks like a modern version of a heart. For the background I’d use something other than a shade of purple. I think the purple would wash it out and you’d lose any sense of the design no matter what layout you end up with.
I like the varying sizes, so would go with the 2-3 8X8. As for background I think you need contrast for a modern look. Or turn them sideways? They look like M’s then!
Oh, hey, you actually asked! You knew I’d tell you anyway. =) Actually, I think I might make a couple of sixes and maybe three fours, and throw those in the last layout mix. I like the idea of lighter background on the dark side and darker on the light side. I might go with greens instead of purple, though. Or green for light and black for dark? I know you will play around and come up with something really clever, and yes, it will look modern when you finish. They don’t all have to orient the same way, either.
I’m not sure which way I would go. I find them a little busy to use too many together but only you can tell what really works best when seen in good light.
Modern or not aside, all I can see is seahorses 🙂
I really like the 9-patch idea with the smaller block in the middle. It makes the traditional 9-patch modern!
p.s. The blocks look like seahorses to me! They’re so cute 🙂