Welcome to the third month of the Esther Block Sew-along!
This month we will continue with the theme of incorporating the outer border with the center.
November's prompt is to create a flower motif using both the large central motif and the large half hexis in the outer border. The outer large hexis will appear as if they are the "petals" of the center.
Here are some examples of this look:
In this block Laura used fabric of the same general value for the center and the large half hexis and chose a contrasting (dark) value for the diamonds, which creates a flower look to the design.
Sara did the reverse here, but she is still creating a flower motif. Here the petals (large half hexis are dark while her diamonds are light.
Here is another of Sara's blocks that use this flower motif idea. Note how the center and large hexis are a darker value than the lighter outside diamonds.
This block by Jessica @jessicabree is a good example of using different values within the "flower" motif. The light value of the light blue diamonds read as a ground, which gives the block that "flower" look.
These next two examples (the top block by Sara and the bottom block by Karen @kizjar)
are both more subtle examples of creating this flower look. Both blocks have very close values in the outer diamonds as compared to the "petals" (i.e. large half hexis), but achieve the "flower" look by a creative use of fussy cutting a curved image.
So as you can see, there are different approaches to make this flower motif. If you scroll through either Laura or Sara's Story Highlights on Instagram, we have both tried to save each month's blocks that have been posted and you can see how some of the blocks have achieved this look without particularly trying.
As always, these prompts are a jumping off point for you to think about the block in perhaps a different way, or expand your ideas of how you might cut up your fabric. Remember, this is a stress free and fun place to share your blocks, no matter whether you try a prompt or just make a block that you are wanting to make. We love to see your creativity and encourage a community that shares and supports one another.
Please share your work with the tags:
@carve_stitch_repeat
@gatesmountainquilter
A quick side note: the Instagram algorithm sometimes lets us down, even if you tag us. So PLEASE, if you think we may have missed your block (we try to comment and share to our stories all that we see!), don't be shy! Give a PM to one or both of us. We don't want to miss anyone's work!
Can't wait to see what you create!