Quilt Notes: QUEEN'S FAVORITE has all sorts of unique qualities. It uses an odd 22 x 22 grid, and it is symmetrical only diagonally in one direction, similar to various layouts for trees, flower or basket blocks, but here upside down. And though rather unimportant, but still very few quilt block names begin with the letter, Q. This illustration also aims for a unique rounding of the corners within the diamonds by way of a fabric design (see left), whilst alternating with solids sharing the same background color. The block is fairly recent in origin, dating to ca. 1970, and illustrated in Jinny Beyer's exquisite QUILTER'S ALBUM (#3257-12), where it is attributed to Quilt Book 130: Keepsake Quilts. The design can be beautifully simplistic in solid colors. Adding fabrics, however, veers it rather toward the absurd, everything seems out of whack, as here, but that very non-conformity actually makes it seem rather endearing. The QUEEN'S FAVORITE is also what's called a "border block" because it has a margin built into the design on at least two sides, so that when it is tiled it produces its own sash. Judy Rehmel's QUILT I.D. BOOK (pp. 167-181) has an extensive section devoted entirely to these type patterns: all the designs listed below are included (some under different names): CHILDREN'S DELIGHT    (IN) NARCISSUS MOTIF SHADOW BOX    GEORGETOWN CIRCLES AUNT MARY'S DOUBLE IRISH CHAIN    ODDS AND ENDS LEND AND BORROW