So, I joined the Vancouver Modern Quilt Guild, and one of the members proposed a challenge block - that was "freeform". He gave us a small square of fabric with a sock monkey on it for a focus block, and a strip of white to go around it. After that, there were no restrictions, other than it must end up at 12.5" at the end.

I was so scared! having only done the sort of quilting that involves a pattern and VERY precise cutting and sewing, this sort of terrified me.

But I did some websearching, found a great tutorial for wonky blocks on Quilt Dad, and just dove in.

Wow, is it ever liberating! I might love this a lot.

Here's how it came out. I'm pretty pleased with the result and also that I was able to use up some scraps.

Looks like fun! I am so picky when it comes to everything lining up, this would be a very liberating thing for me to try also.

check out this awesome tutorial by Quilt Dad

http://www.quiltdad.com/2009/09/quil...n-squares.html

Awww, it's adorable! I love that square fabric around the outside. :) Well done.

Certainly looks wonky to me!! :lol:

Your block is fun! The quiltdad site looks great! Thanks for sharing!

LOL .. It looks like the monkey is hanging on because the block is crooked! I am happy you found a cool block that went together quick. It came out cute too!

That is really cute. Love the whole block!

Your block looks great! I might have to try that, then I wouldn't have to worry about the strips being straight LOL. Thanks for sharing!

tee hee! You're right about the monkey, I hadn't noticed that!

You did a good job. I'm making a Wonky log cabin quilt right now, when I'm done I'll post the top. It was funny because when I made the 1st block, I showed my hubby and asked what he thought. He took awhile to answer and said I don't know what to say because you are so picky to make everything so straight that this is so out of character for you. I just had to laugh.

I love it!

I can't wait to see your whole wonky quilt! I bet it is awesome.

I know what you mean about "out of character". I'm an instruction follower and a precise sewer. I've been sewing for almost 30 years (mom started me young) and I'm used to cutting accurately, using a pattern and following instructions. But this was really fun. I don't think I'll stop using patterns but I am considering doing some more wonky stuff and see where it leads me. I have a huge scrap drawer and this would be an interesting experiment.

Oh SO very cute.

these are adorable. My quilting friend had me drop everything in a paper bag and what I pulled out was what I had to work with. Had a ball and the kids (they were little at that time) loved them. I still have a paper bag of stuff for if I ever want to throw together a darling baby blanket. Thanks for reminding me.

There is another thing for my list of to do's.

Looks great!

We sure have lots of them don't we?? LOL But it's so much fun.

I'm hoping to get the top done this weekend and I will post the picture.

I really like your block. You made a pretty special block out of that little green monkey square and a strip of white. I have made some wonky looking blocks, but never by design! This idea looks like it would be fun, and as another poster said, very liberating.

Thanks for all the compliments, folks.

I really encourage people to go to the Quilt Dad link I posted on the previous page and check out his work. It's amazing and wonky but fabulous.

Thats really cute!

Good job.

That is so cool. I love the way it turned out.

I love it! I have trouble with scrappy because, I admit it, I'm anal. That is so cute and whimsical.

That's awsome! It would be fun to see what everyone came up with.

Great instructions on the Quilt Dad site!

Very Wonky! :D

Awesome!!! I can't wait to see the quilt :D:D:D

Hi, I had to check out Quilt Dad too! I stopped my WIP to make this square. How much fun!