Arabic Lattice - John Flynn

Quilt Guild yesterday with John Flynn, and today we are working on Arabic Lattice - what an entertaining block, with many variations. He was also teaching an All-Day Friday class on another pattern, which I did not attend.

Below are 4 of M's blocks. Many of the attendees started with a kit -- every one of those plaids was so bright and cheerful. We started with the center 4-patch, then added the first fan, using a partial seam. They work up very quickly. My templates are for 6 inch blocks. They also came in a 12 inch size. As many of the kits were purchased, it was not necessary to purchase the templates, unless you wanted them.

I wanted to set mine "offset", and made a lot of blocks before the class, using many of MY plaids saved for years. (I like to be prepared!) Note the bias edges on the long outside, NOT the best idea, but when firmly starched, they held up nicely. (My ironing board top sure needs replacing now!) I liked the effect of the diagonals in the plaids.
Below - Many of the 'offset' square suggestions were dark in value, but I wanted mine to be light. Then that square appeared TOO too light, so I played around with tea staining. I still don't know what I want but ... The left is original color, right was a quick dip in strong tea. Occasionally a too-light value in an already-made quilt can be spritzed with a tea bottle, kept permanently in my sewing area.
One row laid out.
This pattern (with the offset square) requires 2 partial seams. Confusing at first, but one step at a time, and it quite do-able.

John brought all his kits - wow - did we have fun pouring over them all, and naturally, many of us left with more than the supplies we arrived with. I bought a Drunkard's Path kit - these kits are all laser cut, leaving fabric edges neat and tight - no raveling -- with registration tics on those curves. NICE!

Thanks for coming way out here, John!

When we left the Convention Center, full of threads, dragging all our 'stuff' through the lobby, parts falling to the floor as we wheeled by, all of us worn out and weary, we were surprised to find the lobby filled with a formally dressed crowd, diamond decorated-women in long dresses, black formal dinner jackets, men with boutainerres (sp?), and there we were looking like frazzled hayseeds! I believe the governor was among them - didn't take photos, though!