Churn Dash Blocks

I don't know why but these blocks--the colors of these blocks--speak of peace and comfort to me.  Almost like walking back into childhood, though this was not a color from my childhood.  It seems like these blocks would be a great summer quilt.

Is this a color range you like?  It is one that has always appealed to me.  When I'm at a fabric store or even a thrift store, these colors call to me:  "Buy me, buy me!"  And I so often do.

I'm never quite sure what color to call these.  Would you say peach?  Coral?  Salmon?  Blush?  Melon?  Or what?  Sometimes I almost think they lean toward pink.

This is the first ever quilt I've made with the same background fabric for every block.  If I had to use the same fabric for the churn dashes I think I would go batty.  And this is probably the first quilt with such a light background.

The background fabric was a sheet, a very little-used sheet, that I found at the thrift store.  I tested it for hand stitching with the needle I carry around.   Had it been too dense I would have left it or used it for a sheet on the bed.  It seemed fine.  I hope I'm right when I get to the hand quilting stage.

That fabric has a small, directional motif that I didn't notice till I began cutting.  I think it's noticeable in these photos but I hope it won't be in person and after quilting.  Can you see it in the photos?  The orientation of the background fabric is not the same in all the triangles.

I'll be using a mix of fabric styles -- solids, prints, modern, vintage, reproduction, etc.  At this point I'm uncertain whether several churn dashes will be of the same fabric or whether I'll mix the fabrics in some of the blocks or use different fabric for every block.  Heck, I don't know how many blocks I need because I don't have a clue the layout.

The blocks will finish at 8 3/4".  Two things I forgot.  First, how much I love these blocks.  The only seams that have to match are the four for the center block.  And the edges, of course.  On the other hand, there are corners on the triangles that could easily have missing points. 

The second thing I forget is how long it takes to cut quilt blocks.  When was the last time I began a quilt?  Ten years ago, that I would forget the time and care?! 

I made these blocks as part of Chookyblue's Churn Dash Sew-along.  It's a five-month sew-along with four months to make blocks and the last month to put the quilt together.  Since I don't know how many blocks I'll need (because I don't know the layout yet) I'll make more this month and next.  It always takes me a while to decide the finished layout and then to cut and sew it all together.  The earlier I get the easier part done (making blocks) the longer I'll have to do the hard part.

Did I mention how much I love these blocks?

One new thing I'm doing with the fabrics for these blocks is this:

Saving a small piece to keep track of which fabrics I've used.  I'll either glue these to a paper or card and keep them with my other notes about making these blocks and this quilt.  I hope it will be helpful and not a waste of time.

I have more to write but this post is already plenty long.

I'm linking this post to
> Finished (or Not) Friday at Alycia Quilts
> Peacock Party at Wendy's Quilts and More
> Stitch, Sew, & Show at Life in the Scrapatch
> Off the Wall Friday at Creations
Thanks for hosting, ladies.

--Nancy.