I use origami paper (in solid colors) all the time, for cards and wrapping gifts, mostly. But, I recently came up with the idea of using origami paper to test out ideas for quilts, and it is immensely gratifying. All those late-night musings–what about a cross pattern? I wonder, instead of sleeping–I can now take for a quick test drive without touching my sewing machine. I try not to think or fuss too much when I put these sketches together–hoping for a happy inspiration. I haven’t found my perfect pattern yet, but here are some basic house top patterns with a cross in the center, for a little more interest, plus a fancy stripe. The crosses seem to make people think of disaster, but I still kind of like them.

