While searching for a pattern for my next Relief Sale quilt, I came across a book featuring quilts made with little nine patch blocks that graduated from light to dark. To accentuate the dappled shadow effect, I chose to set the blocks in diagonal bands instead of radiating out from the center. This also allowed me to use a greater variety of fabrics to suit my style. And, since I wasn't following the pattern anyway, I omitted the border to suit my own preferences. Maybe the pattern was not being used as it was intended, but it was worth the price for the inspiration it gave me to get started.