Suggestions for the 10 minute block set-up?
 

I want to do the 10 minute block that was recently shown on this board by Suzanne McNeil. However I would like my finished block to be 12" so I can quilt a feathered wreath in each block that is 11.5" The quilt will be 7 blocks by 8 blocks. I have 58 different FQ of beautiful fall batiks in..greens, orange-rust, golds, & reds-burgundy. For the diamond in the middle of each block I plan on using the batik- Gardenia- it is a pale yellow based neutral. Whic would be the best way to set the blocks:

1. make all 4 of the blocks in the 12" big block different colors

2. make both sets of the diagonal blocks in the 12" big block different colors (only 2 colors, not counting the diamond
in the middle)

3. make all 4 of the blocks in the 12" big block the same color

I have been thinking on this since last Wed. I need some fresh input, PLEASE!

I fall back on a method I learned long ago. Looks like fractions...... how big is the center piece? Let's say 6

10/12 x 6/? Cross multiply crossways, 12 x 6 = 72 divided by 10 + 7.2. The top two numbers of the fractions are the numbers you know, ie, starting with 10" pieces with 6" (?) in the middle. Then the bottom two numbers are where you want to get to. 12" pieces with ?? in the middle. Try that on a piece of paper where you can write the fractions out properly and cross multiply. It's confusing, I know. If you need more help let me know.

Christine, thanks for answering me. You're the only one that has tried to answer and I greatly appreciate you taking the time to do that. I do really need help in making a decision on the arrangement of the colors in the blocks. In the original pattern, Suzanne sewed four 10" blocks to make a 20 inch block. I needed a smaller size because my throat space on the mid-arm quilting machine is only 15". So I cut the pattern down from 10" blocks to 6.5" blocks. It takes four 6.5 blocks sewn together to make the 12" finished block. In Suzzanne McNeil's directions, , she sews an inside pocket blocket that forms the diamond in the center of the 12" square. (She made a 20" square instead of the 12") My question is on using the different colors to make up the four patch blocks that will have the center diamond in them. I don't know which choice of color combinations would look best in the quilt!

It is really up to what you like. I have seen some done with all different fabrics and the center piece the same on each-very pretty. The only one I have made like this I used two different colors for the backround blocks and made the center pieces out of a third fabric. Then I had a really hard time deciding the layout once I got all the blocks done. I layed them on the floor and kept changing the layout of the blocks until I finally found one I liked the best don't stress too much. This is your quilt, do it whichever way you like the best.

Kat

Thanks, Kat. Kat is also my little grand daughter's nickname.

I've done a few 10 min. block quilts and I think I understand what you mean about the colors in each "4-patch". May I suggest that you use at least two shades of the same color for each 4-patch. Could be as many as four shades of the same color. This could make each 4-patch, with the pale yellow center, look a bit like a flower. Guess I'm a floral person.

I hadn't thought of that option. That would give a different look and with the pale yellow center it would seem more like a flower. Thanks for the idea. I'll look closely at the FQ and see if I have enough to do that version.

I have done the 10 minute block in several ways. One of them the four squares were the same color and the center square was the same brown in each block. This was the back side of my D9 patch.

In another one I used different bright colors for the four squares and the center square was also different in each block. This was the back side of my Around the World.

In the black and white one, I made the 10 minute blocks in three different sizes, all with the center square being black and the other squares in different black and white fabric. It is a king size.

WOW! What gorgeous quilts! I especially like the Black & White version with the three different sized blocks. It really was a novel idea for the border. The top quilt with all the black center squares really takes on a different look when you added the smaller squares connecting the larger squared sets. Your multicolored one is very bright. You used several different colors for the center squares as well. What were the size of the four patch blocks in the black & white one? Were the other two quilts made with the same size blocks?

Hi you..
Here's a fun link in QB for "10 Min Blocks".. the sky is the limit for color combos! Enjoy!!

"10 Min Block"
http://www.quiltingboard.com/blogs/1...lts-b2336.html