Many quilts are made in small units, or blocks, which are then assembled into a larger quilt top. Most quiltmakers I know have an abundance of “orphan blocks”. These can result when a project is abandoned, when extra blocks were made to test color combinations or size, or when the stitcher simply changed her mind about where the design was going.
I sometimes intentionally create orphan blocks. I find hand stitching to be therapeutic and if I’m not in the midst of a big project, I love to explore single block designs. Whether piecing or appliqué, I love playing and planning. Many times, a big idea grows from a small block.
After I completed the appliqué for Indigo Pearadise, I continued to play with this motif in the smaller size. A single pear fit comfortably in a 5” x 7” frame and makes a sweet little gift.
Early in my appliqué experience, I found that I could successfully stitch the running rabbit pictured in the design below. To practice the appliqué stitch, to have handwork to do while visiting with my mother, and to explore the soft colors of Spring, I stitched many running rabbits. Somewhere along the way, I began hearing the phrase “Baskets and Bunnies” in my mind and a theme emerged. I found patterns for other bunnies, drew a simple basket with a rickrack handle, and kept sewing.
Some of these baskets and bunnies still reside in a basket awaiting their opportunity to shine. The photo you see here is a quilt top that came about when my minigroup needed a quick project for a donation effort a few years ago. The timing was Spring, my stitching sisters remembered my collection, and we got busy. The completed top was quilted by a local longarm expert and we had a sweet little quilt in record time!
That little block with the rickrack handle has reappeared in reds and framed for Christmas gifts, too. I don’t read many books twice, I don’t watch a lot of reruns on tv, but I do my share of repeating blocks I love.
