Another Way

You Can Design A New Block

Using An Old One

Admit it, you've always wanted to design a block. Other quilters do, so why not you? What's holding you back is not knowing where to start. Well, that's not a problem any longer because I'm about to show you any easy way to design a new block by starting with an old one.

I needed a 5"x5" block for the border of my quilt, African Image #1, so I designed this on a 5x5 grid. Afterwards I realized that the center of my new block was a Friendship Star.

I had an "ah ha" moment, a sudden flash of insight. I could take any block based on a 3x3 grid, like the Friendship Star, put it in the center of a 5x5 grid, add some dodads and have a brand new block.

Here are a few I came up with.

Now it's your turn. You can use one of the blocks above, or any other simple block that is based on a 3x3 grid. Place the block of your choice on a 5x5 grid; then start adding squares, triangles, diamonds, or whatever. You'll surprise yourself with a new block of your very own. And you'll have a lot of fun.