Cross Block Lives

On February 23 and 24th, I posted about the Cross Block. The original quilt looks like:

Yesterday and this morning I worked on making the blocks a reality. This is a hand piecing project that I can work on as I get the time or when I am on the road with DH driving, but already I am liking what I see.

Neither is a full block yet, but the one on the right will be soon. I have only to finish sewing on one of the curved pieces before I can sew that unit to what I have. It was fun to have a little project to work on, but I think I will review Jinny Beyer’s handpiecing book, Quiltmaking by Hand: Simple Stitches, Exquisite Quilts to see if there are any tips I can use.

I made the seam allowances on the edge larger so I can trim the blocks to a uniform size more easily.

I am still waiting for Laume to give me more information on her idea for coloring this piece. I can always switch midstream, if I want: My Quilt, My Rules! Laume wrote in a comment:
“There is a third option – make each block scrappy, but not planned so that the colors in each secondary “stretched out square” is matched. You would get rid of the matched “X’s” in the second option you think look unfinished. Whether the background circles would still come to the fore like the second option, or whether they secondary pattern of dark stretched out squares would come to the fore like the first option, I don’t know. You’d have to try it on paper and see.”
I wasn’t sure what she meant so I hope she’ll e-mail back soon.

Cross Block

Cross Block Quilt
Cross Block Quilt

I found a photo of this quilt in a folder on my computer. Suddenly, I am enamored of it! I think it would be great with black for the center square, bright colors for the crosses and black on white for the in between patches.

This is what I think one block looks like.

Cross Block -1 Block
Cross Block -1 Block

Right now I am trying to draft it. I wish I knew the name. This is where image search would come in handy, because I would like to just pull it up in EQ5 and be done with it. The first draft that I did in EQ5 on my own isn’t working.

I need to know the name and whether or not it is a Kansas City Star block or a Laura Wheeler block or one of the other designers, so I can locate it. I may just look through my Kansas City Star patterns and see if I can find it.

It would also be nice to know where I took this picture. I have no clues except that it was taken in 1999. The quilt is draped over something, so I don’t think it was at a show.

Any clues from the audience?