About the Block
Welcome to November and this month’s theme of rest.
For those of us in the northern hemisphere, the days are shortening, the leaves are falling, and much of the natural world is slowing. Is seems, though, that our own calendars rarely get the memo. Many of us have absorbed the idea that rest is something to earn — a short pause that exists mainly to get us ready for more work. Aristotle saw it the other way around. In the Nicomachean Ethics he writes that happiness seems to depend on leisure, because “we are busy that we may have leisure.” The Greek word he uses, schole, is also the root of our word school, and a reminder that leisure was never meant to be empty time. It was the space where learning, reflection, and the things we value for their own sake could happen. Work, in his view, serves that space rather than the other way around.
Aristotle also drew a careful line between relaxation, which restores us after effort, and leisure, which is time given to what makes a life worth living. Whether or not the two are as separate as he suggests, most of us need both. What stays with me is the underlying claim: that flourishing isn’t measured only by what we produce, and that stillness belongs inside a good life rather than outside it. This block, Reverie, is pieced from quarter circles that gather into a single slow swirl, and I hope sitting with it offers a chance to rest, let your thoughts wander, and ask what your own time is for.
Details & Techniques
This month, we’re building on the quarter-circle technique introduced in October, with plenty of practice using quarter circles in a variety of sizes. By working with these curved units at different scales, you’ll continue refining your technique while bringing together the pieces to create a unique swirl design!
Block Tips & Tricks
A few small choices will make a big difference with this block:
Build on your quarter-circle practice. This month’s block uses the same curved piecing skills you learned last month, but combines them in a new way to create the swirl shape. Take a moment to review your quarter-circle units and the techniques that worked well for you before diving into this block.
Pay attention to fabric placement. With this design design, the orientation of each piece is key to creating the intended movement in the block. Double-check the placement and direction of each unit before sewing, especially when working with similar colors or prints.
Take your time with the curves. Even though you’ve already practiced curved piecing, the way the curves come together in this block may feel a little different since we’re piecing smaller units. Use the tick marks as your guide, and add pins or clips as needed to keep the edges aligned. A slow, steady stitch will help you maintain control as you sew.
Trim with care. When trimming each curved unit, pay close attention to the placement of the curved seam. Ensuring proper alignment will help your seams line up properly when assembling the final block.
Trust the process. The swirl may look a little unusual as you work through the individual units, but you’ll see the design take shape as the pieces come together. Focus on accurate seam allowances and alignment at each step, and remember that the skills you’re building with every block will make curved piecing feel more natural over time.
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