Hi all --
Okay - so why are the blocks presented in one order... and then sewn together in a different order? I actually do have an answer -- and it has to do with how I design, how I write up the instructions, and how I assemble the final quilt top.
First of all, I designed all of the patterns at once, but then I did the applique one block at a time. As I applique, I write the instructions for the block I am working on. The order that I applique the blocks in has nothing to do with the layout of the blocks -- more often, it has to do with whether or not I'm ready to tackle a block with a lot of applique in it (such as the "flower mix" blocks that are covered in flowers, berries, stems, and leaves) or one with far less applique in it (such as the orchids that will come in December). You should understand that I cut out ALL of my blocks at once and baste ALL of the pieces on the background, so I can pick up any one of them at any point, and work on that one or switch to another one... I find it is the fastest and easiest way to tackle a big applique project. Sometimes I want to work on a "quick" block (such as the orchids) while I'm at a bee for an afternoon.
Okay, second, as I write the pattern instructions, I usually assign a month to them. So the order that I make them often ends up being the order in which YOU all make them, too... but not always!
Third... after I am completely done with a set of patterns, I will occasionally go back and change the order a bit, just to keep the stitching interesting (so, for example you would not do two "bouquet mix" blocks in a row with all those berries in them!). And I never start a series off with a really difficult or challenging block (no sense in turning people off, right off the bat!).
Now... so why did I lay them out the way that I did? One of you had the right idea -- if you notice, half of the blocks have that large "Quilt Show" star in the background, and the other half just have smaller Quilt Show stars somewhere within the bouquet. Ricky had asked that I include the TQS star on each block, if possible - and the stars are there in each block, if you look. So... in order to "balance" the quilt, every other block has the large background star -- and it was just a matter of laying all the blocks out on the floor and auditioning the blocks for the best placement of each bouquet. You all will likely do the same - your arrangements may be quite different than mine based on the colors that you used or the background fabrics (for those of you that are using different backgrounds), or other changes you may have made. It's part of the magic of how each quilt looks so wonderfully unique, isn't it?!
Happy stitching -
Sue Garman
