Morris Hexathon Block 11

July 16 gave us the block named "Merton Abbey".

 This block is a tessellation which creates a rotating star - a mill wheel of sorts. Although I initially tried to find a fabric that would give a circular swirl to the center I was not successful. Instead I chose a new "milk chocolate" to go with the "dark chocolate" brown I am featuring in my project. Having decided on my setting plan I now need to concentrate on which color fabrics I put where as that will impact their location in the finished article.

In 1881 William Morris purchased Merton Abbey, on the Wandle River south of London, which had been a textile factory. Having decided to weave, dye and print his own fabrics Morris wanted a premises that would facilitate doing this in the traditional techniques. Merton Abbey was a mill with a water wheel which would provide his power source. In 1940 Liberty and Co purchased the Merton Abbey and used it until 1972 so there is a good deal of interesting history to be discovered by a visit today.