***Update***

I refined the pattern further, making the features on the primary block larger and simplified. I also played around with sub patterns and mock-ups. I think these are working better - still not sure I've achieved a truly cohesive set, or that my color selections were amazing, but it was worth a try! Keep learning...

Isabel in Bloom - image 1 - student project

Primary block

Isabel in Bloom - image 2 - student project

Isabel in Bloom - image 3 - student project

Isabel in Bloom - image 4 - student project

Secondary patterns

Isabel in Bloom - image 5 - student project

Isabel in Bloom - image 6 - student project

Isabel in Bloom - image 7 - student project

***Original Post***

My 17-month old daughter, Isabel, is the inspiration for my pattern. Total cliche, I know, but it's so much fun to watch her grow. She has a fascination with bees and that led me to the different flowers that relate to her:

Bauhinia - official flower of Hong Kong (she was born there)
Bluebonnet - state flower of Texas (I'm native Texan and we live here now)
Marguerite daisy - national flower of Denmark (her father's Danish)

Isabel in Bloom - image 8 - student project

Isabel in Bloom - image 9 - student project

This is one of the "closer to final" versions, including bluebonnets.

Isabel in Bloom - image 10 - student project

Isabel in Bloom - image 11 - student project

But I thought it felt clunky when I went to repeat it. After LOTS of fliddling with it, I finally tried it without the bluebonnets and went from there.

Here is my final block:

Isabel in Bloom - image 12 - student project

And final repeat:

Isabel in Bloom - image 13 - student project

Losing the bluebonnets seemed to lighten up the repeat... but now that I'm looking at both side by side I'm not entirely sure which is better. I also may have packed too much into the pattern block - they both look so fussy when repeated in the 3x5s.

The most challenging parts of this project for me were 1) not overcomplicating things (which you can see I still sort of did), and 2) working with color.

Overall I had so much fun. I started this project LAST FALL and feel quite satisfied to have finally reached some sort of completion point!

Thanks Elizabeth - this was a great class :)

Katie Heiselberg

Glass Artisan, Graphic Designer

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