November 23, 2017

Cut Glass Dish quilt block

Cut Glass Dish is a quilt block that lends itself perfectly to creating designs for your quilt by rotating the blocks by 90 degree increments to create secondary patterns.

Cut Glass Dish quilt block image © Wendy Russell
Cut Glass Dish quilt block
This nine patch block is an easy one to construct as it contains only squares and the first patch you will learn as a new quiltmaker -- the half square triangle.
The two sample quilts shown below -- as mentioned above -- illustrate how you can make some really stunning geometric quilts just by rotating some of the blocks.

Quilts designed using the CUT GLASS DISH quilt block - images © Wendy Russell
Quilts designed using the CUT GLASS DISH quilt block

All images © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com

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November 17, 2017

A quilt block by any other name ....

Do you see what I see? Do these two blocks look the same?

On the left you are looking at Fox and Geese
On the right you are looking at Old Maid's Puzzle

FOX AND GEESE and OLD MAID'S PUZZLE quilt block images © Wendy Russell
Fox and Geese quilt block                                                      Old Maid's Puzzle quilt block

I don't know the history of how these blocks were named, but I suspect that two different quilters both had the same brilliant idea for an easy four patch block and here you see the results.

Since today's post offers two different quilt blocks, here are two sets of quilt layouts.

Quilts designed using the FOX AND GEESE quilt block - images © Wendy Russell
Quilts designed using the FOX AND GEESE quilt block

Quilts designed using the OLD MAID'S PUZZLE quilt block - images © Wendy Russell
Quilts designed using the OLD MAID'S PUZZLE quilt block

All images © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com

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November 09, 2017

Remember to Remember

Once the pumpkins have had their day, it is time to focus on the poppy. The poppy has long been a symbol worn in November, so that we remember to remember. The official date is November 11th.

Poppy quilt block image © Wendy Russell
POPPY quilt block
I saw a picture a while back of a quilt with similar pieced blocks, so I created this Poppy quilt block pattern for those (like me) who are not keen on using appliqué as a preferred method. (A side note -- I am in awe of those who love appliqué and produce such beautiful quilts, but being a "math nerd", I prefer the geometric, pieced blocks.)
The quilt block can be made without the green fabrics but, as you can see in the two sample quilts illustrated, simple rotations of the block can produce additional “borders” for the poppy and add a different look to your quilt.

Quilts designed using the POPPY quilt block - images © Wendy Russell
Quilts designed using the POPPY quilt block

Remember to Remember

  • "The living owe it to those who no longer can speak, to tell their story for them."
    ~ Czeslaw Milosz - from "The Issa Valley"


All images © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com

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November 05, 2017

Bright Morning Star quilt block

The Bright Morning Star quilt block is an easy one to construct as it contains only simple patches -- squares, rectangles and flying geese units. However, placement of colour and values is what makes the block interesting -- and by extension -- a striking quilt.

Bright Morning Star quilt block image © Wendy Russell
Bright Morning Star quilt block

If you are new to quiltmaking, this is the choice for you -- you learn how to make one of the most commonly used patches (and my favourite) -- the flying geese unit. Then you construct the quilt block in the most favoured layout -- as a nine patch.
The two sample quilts illustrated show that you can make a stunning quilt with simple blocks. Colour placement is the key. Now the question is -- should you use sashing strips or not? :-)

More Biblical Quilt Blocks for your collection

Quilts designed using the BRIGHT MORNING STAR quilt block - images © Wendy Russell
Quilts designed using the BRIGHT MORNING STAR quilt block

All images © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com

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