BIG BLOCK QUILTing part one: HIT THE WALL

     So I have this extra-special fabric by Tula Pink and I'm itching to put together a cozy little something for movie night but I just haven't found the time to sit down and do the planning and prep work. Finally, I've decided that if I feel the need to cut and stitch I'm just going to have to jump in, throw some fabric against the design wall and see what sticks. Literally!
     I want to challenge myself to begin with with massive blocks then divide and conquer.  I'm going to try to cover ground quickly and with little fuss so no pattern needed for this one.
​     I've started with a much loved focal fabric cut into a large panel and paired it with a loud(ish) accent. This is Tula Pink's Monkey wrench (isn't it great?) and Tent Stripes. I'm using my handy Fons and porter portable design wall. The grid, as shown, is measured in 2" blocks making this first block approximately 22" x 39". Since I will be piecing randomly and cutting to square-up, exact measurements are not going to be a concern. woohoo!

     For the sake of this plan-as-you-go exercise I started to add different shapes and sizes to the wall. Things started to get busy quickly but, you know,  I'm a big fan of design by process of elimination so I'm going with it. Some of my happiest quilting surprises have resulted from hitting the wall with everything I've got!

     Next I wanted to gauge the overall colour that felt best. I started by blocking in pink, then green.

     At this point I've jumped in and started piecing some jumbo strips that can be divided, mixed and matched. Keeping things large means that there's plenty of room to finesse this quilt. I've found a pallet and pieced some key fabrics that I can't live without. Mission  accomplished - for now.
     I have the next week to walk past the design wall and scheme. Then it's back to the cutting mat, the real work begins and on to Big Block Quilting part two!

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