Did you see my pink cross blocks in the newest issue of Fat Quarterly?
I was so excited to be able to contribute to the designer challenge, which was to make a cross block using only solids.
When I heard about the challenge to make a cross block, I was vacationing in New York City, where I am always inspired by the architecture. I saw different shapes of crosses in the bricks of those ornate facades. Not just one upright with a horizontal bar intersecting it. Crosses with flair on the tips, like the maltese cross.
My first instinct was to make a block with a cream cross on a brown background to match the architecture of those beautiful buildings. But I’m all about color, so that combination felt a little boring. Then I remembered that Pantone recently named Honeysuckle as the color of 2011, writing that it is a color of courage, confidence and vitality, “a brave new color for a brave new world.” That was exactly the feeling I wanted when I looked at this block. So I pulled pink solids from my stash and found the one closest to Pantone’s honeysuckle, pairing it with a hot pink. Just to satisfy my curiosity, I made a second block with the colors switched. I just knew it would look different!
The editors of this issue did an excellent job creating illustrations for the tutorial I submitted to make this block.
If you’re not already a subscriber to this e-magazine that gets delivered to your inbox quarterly, I encourage you to get this issue. It’s full of great ideas for quilting and sewing with solid fabrics!
Discover more from Terri's Notebook
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.



That’s so awesome that your block is in Fat Quarterly! And I love seeing the two versions side by side.
How fun! I have seen Fat Quarterly around but haven’t had time to look into it and see what it is. Maybe this weekend I will check it out. 🙂
Awesome! Now, I know I’ll have to get this issue!
Thanks Terri for the fabulous block and tutorial!
How cool! I love your block!
Jennifer 🙂
Beautiful, Terri! I esp. love the top one. It’s so fascinating how moving the colors around changes things.
Oh wow – how fantastic and well done! Soon as I get on big computer I am ordering a copy – I’m so pleased for you. Your block is gorgeous and looks brilliant in pinks – wtg!
Thank you Terri for a tip! These two blocks look so nice and so different when the colours change! That magazine looks very interesting and there is wonderful things on the cover!
Have a lovely time! Teje
AHH you’re published!! That’s awesome! I just bought the issue of FQ this morning and hadn’t gotten a chance to read it…now I’m double hyped! Congrats again 🙂
I was reading my copy last night and I just about jumped out of bed when I saw you were in it! Woohoo!!!!
Love your blocks…and it was fun to read about your design process, too!
Great block Terri! Congratulations!
I really like your blocks. The first one is my favorite. It’s a different look to just the plain cross block. Thanks for all the information.
Nice idea to go with this block instead of the cream and brown colored one. I love the result you received here! Creativity knocked and you definitely answered!
Bought my copy! Love the pink solids. . .yum!
Congrats Terri, what an accomplishment. You go girl!! Great blocks.
congrats on being in FQ! that’s great! i love your cross blocks. how fun to see them reversed! it really does change the look.