Tag Archives: quilt blocks

Lets Sew Quilt Along Segment 3 Wrap Up

Block 13 of Segment 3 of the Lets Sew Quilt Along QAL is called Who’s Got the Thimble? and is designed by April Adams of Janda Bend Quilts.

Lets Sew Quilt Along

This was a fun and easy block to make!  The shelves of colorful thimbles are a great addition to this quilt along!

Lets Sew Quilt Along

And I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that the resident feline made off with the missing thimble!

To wrap up Segment 3, participants are asked to show a photo of our four blocks together. 

Lets Sew Quilt Along

Lets Sew Quilt Along

Next up, setting all thirteen blocks together into a flimsy!

To join in the fun, visit Partners in Design.

Sewing Machine Block

Quilters Mug Block

Ruler Block

Spinning Spools Block

Quilt Shop Block and Segment 1 Wrap Up

Binding Clips

A Pressing Issue (Iron) Block

Tomato Pincushion

In Stitches Block and Segment 2 Wrap Up

Buttons Block

By the Bolt

Rotary Cutter

Sister’s Choice Quilt Block

Let’s explore the Sister’s Choice Quilt Block.

The block is a traditional favorite.

Sister's Choice

Sister’s Choice is drawn with a 5 x 5 grid.

Here the blocks are set in a straight set with sashing:

Sister's Choice Straight Set

I’ve moved the color a bit, and that puts more emphasis on the stars:

Sister's Choice Straight Set 2

Let’s look at some straight sets without the sashing.

Sister's Choice Straight Set 3

The next one not only has the sashing removed, but the alternate blocks have some additional lines drawn.  The result is a star within a star.

Sister's Choice Straight Set 4

More alternate block experimenting:

Sister's Choice Straight Set 5

Sister's Choice Straight Set 6

Delete quite a few lines in the alternate block, and it opens up the entire design…great for the quilting lovers! 

Sister's Choice Straight Set 7

Moving blocks around, as well as adding and deleting lines from the original block (Sister’s Choice in this blog post), creates interesting designs.

Sister's Choice Straight Set 8

Sister's Choice Straight Set 9

Sister's Choice Straight Set 10

Let’s not forget about color (most importantly…value).  Changing values creates completely different looks!

Sister's Choice Straight Set 11

When designing your next quilt, take time to experiment with the block’s grid (adding/deleting lines to create alternate blocks), as well as value placement.

You will come up with a winner (or several)!  And have fun doing it!

I use Electric Quilt 7 for quilt designing.  Block Base is another great tool.  Sister’s Choice is #J008 in Block Base.  A pad of graph paper and colored pencils work well too!

Brave World Quilt Block Part 2

In a previous post, I shared the Brave World quilt block in several straight set designs.

Brave World Quilt Block

Here is how it looks set side by side and on point:

Brave World On Point Set

Let’s try sashing and a different colorway:

Brave World On Point Set

I like it better!

When I remove some lines from the original block, I am left with a pinwheel block that I can use as an alternate with the Brave World block.

Brave World On Point Set

Brave World On Point Set

Brave World On Point Set

Keep playing the ‘what if’ game!  You may get some dud designs, but, then again, you may be pleasantly surprised with what you come up with!

Brave World Quilt Block

It has been quite awhile since I shared a post with quilt designs (not including revisiting a block recently).  Last week, I picked up my Nancy Martin’s Perpetual Calendar 365 Quilt Blocks A Year, and I randomly chose a block.

Right away, I disliked the block.  It became a challenge (I will not be defeated by this block!).  I persevered, and warmed up to it.

Here is Brave World:

Brave World Quilt Block

It can be drawn with a  2 x 2 grid.

Here is how it looks in a basic straight set:

Brave World Straight Set

Sashing strips make it easy to see the block, and make it easy to change the size of a quilt, as well as add another design aspect.

Brave World Straight Set

I this case, I don’t care for the sashing strips, so the next few straight set designs are playing with alternate blocks.

Brave World Straight Set

Brave World Straight Set

How do you know if you like your block paired with other blocks unless you play?

Brave World Straight Set

I’m not a big fan of this next design, but it happens to be the Hubby’s choice.  He says to make it black, white and grey, since he can imagine Tie fighters with all the movement that the blocks create.  Gotta love that imagination!

Brave World Straight Set

He does bring up a good point, however.  Color and value can make a big difference.  I am showing one colorway of an endless array of possibilities!

Brave World Straight Set

Perhaps the above designs are too busy for you.  After all, different strokes for different folks!  Deleting lines can be just as important as adding lines to design.

Brave World Straight Set

Deleting lines, and/or, adding plain blocks can open up lots of opportunities for the addition of applique, or quilting, if that is your thing!

Brave World Straight Set

Go get creative with your designing and have fun!

Anvil Quilt Block Part 3

A recent comment on an older blog post showing the Anvil Quilt Block inspired me to revisit the Electric Quilt project file.

Anvil Quilt Block

 

I tried one of my variation blocks in a straight set design.

Anvil Straight Set

What if I set plain blocks in the corners?

Anvil Straight Set

What if I moved the color around just a bit?

Anvil Straight Set

How about I try the block on point?

Anvil On Point Set

And move the color just a bit.

Anvil On Point Set

Of course, one could try lots more by switching up the color/value altogether.  That’s what makes design so much fun!

Anvil Quilt Block Part 1

Anvil Quilt Block Part 2