Hubris Project cut&paste

With one project in the binding stage and another in the basted-ready-to-quilt stage, it's time for me to turn to my Hubris squares and get those into a top.

With so many variations available in the pattern I've decided upon (middle right in the book photo above), I figured the old-fashioned method of playing with bits of paper would be the easiest way to figure out a good layout to showcase these applique blocks. Because they'll trim down to 18" squares, I had already done the math to resize the log cabin blocks from 12" to 18".

From photos of the two blocks (identified as Y and Z in Judy Martin's book Extraordinary Log Cabin
Quilts) and the picture above, I created two sheets filled with identically-sized blocks that I could cut apart. (I made a note to self--always lighten photos before printing!)

It's already fairly obvious, but I cut them out and played for a few minutes anyway.

With all the log cabin blocks enlarged to the same size as the applique squares, the proportions between the two are completely off. Two additional squares could conceivably be appliqued, or two other 18" squares of solid fabric added for a 4-square effect in the middle. Neither of those ideas floated my boat.

So how about this? Frame out the applique blocks with black fabric, enlarging their dimensions to 24", then go back to the original 12" size of the log cabin blocks.

Oh yes, this is already looking better!

Wraith is fascinated with paper, small bits especially, so he paid very close attention to everything I was doing (in hopes I'd crumple up one of those squares and flick it across the room for him to chase).

I just realized how difficult this photo makes it all look. The calculator and pad are The Loud's project, not mine!

It soon became apparent I'd need more paper blocks, but rather than print out more sheets, I built half the pattern, took a photo, then played with it in my graphics software. So far, these are the five patterns I've come up with:

Y=24, Z=16

Y=16, Z=24

Y=16, Z=24

Y=36, Z=4

Y=16, Z=24

I think I know which variation I'll end up using (opinions welcomed anyway), but in the meantime I can start cutting 1.5" strips from the tans, browns, grays, and neutrals I've been collecting for this project. It's obvious I'm going to need quite a few of both blocks, so I can be constructing them without needing to decide on a layout just yet.

Off to the cutting table I go!