Scrap Attack {Japanese x & + block}

Ok, so you've seen the Japanese x & + block, right? I mean, it is the block that forced us to Scrap Attack after all. When my friend Jessica of A Little Gray started her Japanese x & + quilt I just couldn't keep sitting on my hands. A little chatter in Pinterest and here we are.

This block has become a bit of a legend. Its fame launched when Jan photographed a quilt submitted by Setsuko Inagawa for the 2011 Tokyo Quilt Festival and shared said photos on Flickr. Then Badskirt Amy popularized the block in blogland by creating her own version and an awesome tutorial. Last year, a quilt-along for the Japanese x & + block resulted in some lovely quilts like this stunner by Leila of Where the Orchids Grow.

And even now another Flickr group has sprung up for folks who are swapping completed Japanese x & + blocks so as to create some super-scrappy concoctions. (The swap is likely to repeat, in case you want to get on the list for next time!)

Isn't this all completely wild? It totally gets me going to think that one fabulous quilt can stir up such a fire of creativity. The world is a dazzling place! Here, here!

another gem by Jessica at A Little Gray

This tiny block finishes 7.5" square, so all those pieces use up modestly-sized scraps. I haven't made one myself.... yet.... but when I do I'll imagine that each block is a miniature fabric portrait Sweet and scrappy. Mmmmm....

So, if you'd like to make this block, do hop skip and jump over to Badskirt Amy's rather happening blog for the complete tutorial. What, you don't know Amy? Oh my, let's fix that. Amy's a fascinating gal and she and I had QUITE the chat. It was chock full of gutsy scrap-rebellion that could inspire a paradigm shift. The interview turned out too long and too good to cram in with today's post, so I'll let's do this thing again tomorrow. Until then, keep "Scrappenin" (thanks, Jessica) away on your Scrap Attack quilts. We'll do a link party here at Stitched in Color at the end of January so we can all enjoy the great work that's already been done!