Monday, January 30, 2012

Sew Half-Rectangle Triangles

















Method 3


It's nice to have a choice. When you are sewing a block it's nice to be able to pick the method that's best suited to your talents and tastes.

I've shown you 2 methods of sewing half-rectangle triangles in my last 2 posts. Now, I'd like to show you a third method using freezer paper.

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Sew Half-Rectangle Triangles






















Method 2

There is no one right way to do things. Each of us has different abilities and sensibilities. What works for one person doesn't for another.

When I teach quilting I've learned never to say, "This is how it should be done." I've learned to say, "This is how it can be done."

In my last post I showed you one way to sew half-rectangle triangles. Today I'll show you another.

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Sew Half-Rectangle Triangles






















Method 1

A few days ago, on 22 January, I showed you quilt designs using this wonky block.

 Caroll Drudy of Attic Window Quilt Shop liked my designs and tried making the block. She reported, "I had to make those rectangles several times before I got them to come out right."

Now, I think it would be great if you were to make a quilt or two using this block. And I don't want you to have trouble with the rectangles; so I'm going to show you how to sew them.

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Never
Try Anything New

Never
Do Something Different

Never
Take A Chance

It's easy to follow these 3 simple rules and do the same old thing over and over and over and over. I must confess; I'm as guilty of this as anyone.

But once in a while something happens and instead of thinking inside my usual box I find myself thinking inside a different box.

Sunday, January 22, 2012

What Kind Of Block is This?












It's a block made from 4 half square triangles that I made wonky by changing the grid dimensions.


Friday, January 20, 2012

You Can Make

Quarter-Of-Four Block Quilts


























Starting With Job's Troubles Blocks


Job's Troubles is a traditional 4 patch block.

Like all 4 patch blocks it is made from 4 units. All 4 quarters of a Job's Troubles block are the same.



Wednesday, January 18, 2012

What Kind Of Block Is This?










Well, to start with, it's not a traditional block.

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

What Can You Do






With One Color? 

I chose red as the color I want to explore today.

When I think of one color quilts done in red I immediately think of redwork quilts - red embroider images in a setting of red patchwork designs. You probably do too.

This post isn't about that. It's about making monochrome quilts. Which is just a fancy way of saying one color quilts. But it implies the possibility of using different versions of the one color.

Monday, January 9, 2012

Paired Blocks #21

What Can You Do
























With Two Simple Blocks?

Shoo Fly and Nine Patch are two simple blocks.

What if you combine them? What kind of quilt designs would they make?

I don't know but I'm willing to try to find out.

Saturday, January 7, 2012

Offset Block #11

When You Offset Blocks

















You Create Design Opportunities

Clay's Choice is a traditional block. It's also a very simple block, so you might think there's not a lot you can do with it.

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Simple Blocks







Can Make Wonderful Quilts

























I can't imagine anyone not wanting to design her own quilt. It's not hard to do. Especially if you start with a simple block.

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

You Can Make The Same Block

In Different Sizes


























And Then Design With It


What if You take a Classic block like Clay's Choice...








..and make it three different sizes?  Perhaps, 8"x8", 6"x6" and 4"x4".