A little while ago there was a picture of some gorgeous fabric on the Fat Quarterly blog: Katharine’s Wheel by Nel Whatmore. The fabric came with a Designer Challenge to make blocks inspired by circles, swirls and fireworks. Before I could engage my brain I had left a comment to enter the draw. Can you imagine my excitement when I was picked?
![Katharine's Wheel by Nel Whatmore](https://sharksdinner.ch/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/DSC_0006.jpg)
Five fat quarters arrived and the fabric was even more beautiful in real life than it had been on the pics; the colours were incredibly rich and zingy. I had had a few ideas buzzing around my head while I was waiting for my parcel but the minute I saw the fabric I ditched them all. No way was I going to cut these beauties into small strips and circles.
I quickly googled Catharine Wheel Fireworks as I have to admit that I know nothing about fireworks, never having bought any myself. Swiss national day (1st August) is celebrated during the school holidays and we were always away. The pictures were lovely and I soon drew some blocks with lines coming from a circle in the centre. I wasn’t quite convinced and started drawing curves. Bingo!
After a few variations and some serious trial sewing I found a curve I liked and started cutting up my lovely fabric. I think the big pieces really showcase the bold flowery prints and rich colours.
![Sections](https://sharksdinner.ch/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/DSC_0021.jpg)
I made cardboard templates of my two sections and cut out four of each. Then I sewed together one section a to one section b making quarters, two quarters into halves and then the halves together making sure all the points meet in the centre. After I finished the first block where I used the five different designs I decided that the stripy one was stopping the block’s flow and made another one.
![Spiral Block](https://sharksdinner.ch/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/DSC_0007.jpg)
![Spiral Block](https://sharksdinner.ch/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/utf-8DSC_0002.jpg)
I then wondered what to do with the two blocks I had made and on a whim decided to make a bag. A few weeks ago I bought three different green Konas from Florence‘s pop-up shop on Etsy. Sadly I didn’t make a note of the different names but one of them was a perfect match with Katharine’s Wheel.
![Spiral Bag](https://sharksdinner.ch/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/DSC_0169.jpg)
![Spiral Bag Back](https://sharksdinner.ch/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/DSC_0168.jpg)
There’s a stripy pocket for a mobile phone or key and some fabulously stripy handles.
![Stripy Pocket and Handles](https://sharksdinner.ch/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/DSC_0174.jpg)
I also cut off one of the selvages and sewed it onto the lining to remind me of the challenge.
![Selvage](https://sharksdinner.ch/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/DSC_0170.jpg)
I’m really happy with this bright, swirly explosion of colour and hope that I’ve fulfilled the brief of the challenge.