Donna asked for simple shapes inspired by the Dear Jane blocks, and sent us lots of pretty pink fabrics to combine with white so she can make a quilt for her little girl’s 5th birthday.  As usual, I tried some practice blocks first.

This one is called the Goshen Star.  It is much more effective in the fabrics that Donna sent.

Next up I tried a straightforward Double Wrench block.

Once again, this block looks more effective when made with a solid.

Because there was a little fabric left, and I fancied doing a block containing curves, I figured out how to do a sort of drunkard’s path block. I wish I’d known what these block units were called before trying to figure it out for myself, because I could have googled it! Anyway, it worked out okay.

I cut out the four sub-unit squares, lined them up, then traced around an 8″ embroidery hoop to get a nice circle on the block. Then I cut out the circles, shifted them around to a contrasting sub-unit, and sewed them together. I had to trim the edges of the block back level before sewing the sub-units together to make the block. Is that as clear as mud?

Donna still needs to add borders to this one. Since then, I have found a tutorial for the Drunkard’s Path block here and here and another version here and here.

Now I need to start on Amy’s February blocks!  I will definitely need to be doing practices for hers.  You can see the blocks being made for Around the Block over here.