The other day I showed you the photos below. They show a sequence of steps to creating a block, which is a variation of a block called “Delectable Mountains.” The variation is in using two fabrics (the teal blue and the stripe) for one half of the block.
This method to create the block uses a large half-square triangle. Once the HST is sewn, it is sliced into four equal-width segments. The segments are rearranged and sewn back together. My block uses a HST at 10″ (unfinished.) Each slice is 2.5″ wide. The finished dimension of the block is 9.5″ x 8″.
Here are a few HST and transformed Delectable Mountain blocks I made recently. Cool, huh?
I used the idea at the top with multi-fabric HST halves again. This time I edged my triangles on both sides, with a much narrower strip. You can see the paprika color is edged with a pale gold, and the mid-brown is edged with black. The four blocks are built but not sewn together yet. I plan to add turquoise to the center, using a stitch-and-flip method for each of the four blocks.
I’m playing, experimenting, designing as I go. Though I have an idea of where this is going, I’m ready to be surprised.
It has a southwestern look.
Yes, and it will move farther SW, I hope.
This is going to be very cool!
Thanks! I don’t think it will be large, or that there will be “a lot” more to it. ??? We’ll see… 🙂
It’s like the start of a Navajo rug. Perhaps your Delectable Mountain is one of the Dineh Four Sacred Mountains!
It will not be sacred. 🙂 But yes, inspired by Navajo work. Thanks very much.
It’s a great idea. Thank you for sharing your ‘experiments’, it must be very satisfying (and distracting from all the politics) to get absorbed in such interesting design work.
Yes, having something to focus on is great for the health, isn’t it? 🙂
i really like th one at the bottom! 🙂
Thanks!
It does look southwestern! I have Mexican saltillo that has that same sort of design in the middle. You’re getting good mileage out of this direction . . . and you’re playing, just as you said you would!
I wrote a nice long response and it disappeared… Well, the main point is, the Delectable Mountains blocks in the middle were so much fun to make. The big prints I used transformed in unexpected ways as I sliced and rearranged, so each one was exciting as it revealed itself. Also I love the shape, not square, and the jagged points. So I was curious about how else to use it. We’ll see how it goes, but it looks promising so far. Thanks.
I’m excited you plan to add turquoise to this. It will make it even bolder.
I’m planning to work on that today. It’s slightly intimidating — what if I ruin it? BUT I won’t know if I don’t try it. Thanks for taking a look.
That is very cool! Thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome! Thanks for taking a look!
Brilliant! I have never made a delectable mountain and I like what you are doing with this piece!
Thanks, Tierney. The one that is finished (and still needing a blog post) was SO MUCH FUN. 🙂
This is looking very good and so much fun! 🙂
Thanks, Sola. Because of the sharp contrast between strips, I’m trying to be extra careful. It’s a little fiddly, but so far so good.
This is how new looks and trends happen… with someone experimenting. I had a DM project in mind that I wanted to create but now seeing your experimentation, I feel as if I need to rethink my project to add a bit more interest. I will enjoy this creative journey with you as I watch with interest to see what you create.
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Thanks you, Mary D. The block is beautiful in its old-fashioned and plain versions, too, so just make sure you’re making what will suit you best.
Cool! And lots of fun, too 🙂 I might just have to try some of these myself – thank you! 🙂
You’re welcome!
Looks like fun! I’ve never tried these.
It is fun. I don’t square up my HST generally, so a few are off just from normal stretch. And it barely matters. Oh, yeah, trim the worst ones, but otherwise, just keep sewing! You can do the easing when pinning and sewing rows together. It doesn’t take much, as only the block edges match up, not the slices between. TMI, huh? 🙂