Caterpillars part 1

Caterpillars part 1

project

The first panel started with cutting up little blue squares, which are so incredibly appealing to me.

Then I paired them up and made some half square triangles.

Then, I repeated to make quarter square triangles.

I struggle a bit with accuracy, so I always make them a bit bigger and trim them to their little square shapes:

Next, I selected a random layout and stitched the blocks together.

I didn't get very far when suddenly I had an idea....and it involved curves....and I wasn't really sure how feasible it was because of all the seams I would be cutting through and stitching....so I had to try. I used freezer paper to draw the curve and then pressed it to the fabric, adding a 1/4" seam allowance when I cut.

It's a bit squirrelly to stitch, but definitely doable! 

I LOVE this little blue hump, so I made some more, and then some more, and then decided to add some stripes to go with them.

And then some more...

I eventually realized that this pattern was very very similar to a favorite caterpillar of mine, the swallowtail, but a different color palette....and a bit abstracted.  That's when I decide to make these long pieced giant blocks to resemble the patterns on caterpillars.  It was odd that I started by cutting blocks, and then serendipitously ended up with this, but the subconscious works in mysterious ways. I realized how much this quilt is about my life right now. Stayed tuned! There will be a total of 4 of these panels! All bright and graphic and wonderful!