As I thought about creating my block for 100 Blocks Volume 4, I wanted one that would play well in a variety of settings. I was looking at asymmetrical options and realized that I could divide the 12″ block into progressively smaller segments of 4-1/2″, 3-1/2″, 2-1/2″ and 1-1/2″:
I decided to put Pinwheels in the diagonal spaces and knew this could help create some dimensional effects as the Pinwheels progressively change sizes:
I found a big dot fabric from Robert Kaufman’s Flower Shop line that I wanted to use in the large rectangles and that set my color direction:
Using red and white Pinwheels and a red and white print from Flower Shop, this was my first block:
I liked the big dots in the large spaces and the small dots in the spaces . But the red and white flower print wasn’t working at this point because it obscured the Pinwheels near it–not enough contrast. So I took the red and white print out and started auditioning other fabrics into those spaces on the design wall. I tried the yellow and white print:
There was enough contrast now with the Pinwheels, but it was too much yellow for me. I tried several black and white prints:
None of these were quite working for me yet, so I tried some prints with red in them:
Still not right, there was too much red again obscuring the Pinwheels. Next I tried a stripe:
Now that had possibilities. There was red, white and black, but not so much that any one color was overpowering. At this point I had just been laying the Pinwheels and other fabrics on top of the fabric I was auditioning. Now I just had to decide which direction I wanted the stripes to run and the block was finished:
And that’s the auditioning journey my block Pinwheel Pizzazz took me on. Now for a few setting ideas:
Pinwheel Pizzazz: Setting 1
Pinwheel Pizzazz: Setting 2
Pinwheel Pizzazz: Setting 3
And that’s just the tip of the iceberg of setting possibilities as you rearrange blocks.
Giveaway: Leave a comment (be sure to include some words with the letter “z”) by 12 noon MST on Tuesday 11/8 for a chance to win a copy of 100 Blocks Volume 4.
Winner: Your anzwers have made me zilly! Sandra Visser #40 was the randomly selected winner. Plus I loved the poem from Amanda #177, so she gets a magazine too. Thankz for playing everyone!
I luvz that new block. Sew many pozzabilities!
I like Pinwheel Pizzazz #2. I like how it flowzzzz.
Wowzer, zats a jazzy,snazzy block!!
That IS a sharp lil block with snap!!!!
I really liked to see the design journey from 12″ square to wowza block! And seeing the dezigns that are possible with this block is so important for a vizual person, like me! Thanks for the chance to win the magazine and the chance to make a Pinwheel Pizzaz quilt!!
I love a simple block that creates so many interesting settings. And thanks for the “process” post, it’s always interesting to see what goes into designing a block or quilt. “100 Blocks” issues always has “ex-zilarating” ideas for future projects! (o.k. It’s a stretch I know but all the better “z” words are already taken!)
Love your block! It sure wins the PRIZE for ZIP, ZEST and is ZUPREME! I really enjoyed the previous issues of 100 blocks, and this one looks just as inspiring
Wowzers! I’ve always been partial to pinwheel blocks, but Pinwheel Pizzazz is truly fabulous!
Great block. The off-center division of the block has many pozzibilities.
Lots of pizzazz in that pinwheel block. Zippy and cute. THanks for the opportunity to win.
You won’t get any zzzzzzz’s when you start this block and are reading the 100 blocks Volume 4! I follow Denise Russert everyday and love the dog’z. I named the dog Charlie!! I would love to winzzzzzzz a copy!
Wowza! No zzzzzz’s here…zat’s a zippy block!
Zuper (super) block! Great idea and I know an easy way to make 1.5″ pinwheels so I could actually make this block.
That block with all the different sized pinwheels looks really jazzy. There are probably a zillion fabric combinations that would be great for that block! Thanks for the blog tour, it will create a lot of buzz for this magazine!
I like the way it “bursts” out of the corner. Color does make a difference.
Razzle, dazzle, jazzy is the best I can come up with to describe number two setting which is really chez chic. Enjoyed the process and was surprised at the difference the background fabric makes.
Wow, totally taken with your design approach, love the visual distancing. And my fav is your Pizzazz#2 Zzzzz! Hotz cowzz, I’m now craving pizza! ;D pickenzeMePlez
Dazzling, sizzling, kaleodoscopic ideas to make one make it today.
I like the Pinwheel Pizzazz ZLOT….. and that is not a typo…
Zat’s zee bezt block I’ve zeen zo far. How’z zat?