Paired Blocks # 13

What Else Can You Do

With A Drunkard's Path Block?

Ever wonder what would happen if you tried making a quilt using two blocks that on first glance look like they probably don't go together?

A Free Pieced Alphabet For You

Acadia

I've decided to give you the pattern to my Acadia alphabet.

From My Alberta Series

Airdrie / King's Height

Every block has the potential to be used many different ways. Yesterday I showed you one design based on my Airdrie block; today I'll show you another.

From My Alberta Series

Airdrie / Iron Horse Park

If you've been following my blog lately, you may have the impression that all I ever do is alter traditional blocks to create new designs. I thought you might like to see an original block. The quilt design above is from my Alberta Series of quilts and uses my Airdrie block.

I Wish This Was Mine



This quilt by Maria Elkins is truly a work of art. At first I thought it was a painting.

It's called Broken Dishes. There is the obvious broken dish in the mother's hand and on the rug. In addition, the wall and the rug are done with the traditional quilt pattern Broken Dishes.

I love the idea and the tender emotion. The more I see of this quilt, the more I want to see it.

You'll find Broken Dishes and several other amazing quilts (Don't miss Evening Star, or Captivated) on Maria's website

You Can Design Wonky

Part 3

In parts 1 and 2 you saw traditional blocks become wonky blocks when the grids they were designed on were changed.  You'll see the same thing happen today, and then one step further.

You Can Design Wonky

Part 2

Change the grid on an existing block and you create a wonky version of it. It's easy and it's fun to do. Here's what happens when you try it with Corn And Beans.

Check This Out!

The link below is to a 6 1/2 minute video by the National Film Board of Canada. It is called Quilt in English and Courtepointe in French, and it is terrific!

http://www.nfb.ca/film/quilt/?ec=en20110209

I like it because it mimics the design process that I use. I am hoping it will help inspire you to try designing too.

You Can Design Wonky

Part 1

There is an easy way for you to turn an old block design into a new one of your own. You change it into a wonky block by changing its grid dimensions.

Let's see how it's done.

What, You May Ask,

Is A Liebster Blog Award?

You may not be familiar with the Liebster Blog Award.  I just learned about it yesterday. I thought you might like to know about it too.

Try Experimenting

With Block Size           Part 2

Not all the blocks in a quilt have to be the same size. If you want to design something that is uniquely yours, why not take a simple block, make it in different sizes and see what happens when you combine them? 

Try Experimenting

With Block Size                          Part 1

It's easy to make quilts where all the blocks are the same size. However, it is possible, and fun, to make quilts where the blocks are different sizes.

Today seems like a good day to conduct an experiment and combine 2 sizes of a very simple block.

Offset Block #9

What Happens When You Offset

Shoo Fly Blocks?

Part 3

Take a simple blocks like Shoo Fly and, instead of lining it up in rows and columns, offset it. Suddenly wonderful things start to happen.

Offset Block #8

What Happens When You Offset

Shoo Fly Blocks?

Part 2


Who says that quilt blocks always have to be lined up in rows and columns? You can create interesting designs by offsetting something as simple as a Shoo Fly block.

How Hard Is It

To Design A New Block?

Part 5 (Grids Inside Grids Inside Grids)

You can look at a quilt and think, "This is complex; it must have been hard to design." But a quilt may look complex and still be easy to design if each step in the process is a simple one.

Let's "reverse design" a quilt. We'll take it apart and look at the blocks to see how it was designed.

Offset Block #7

What Happens When You Offset

Shoo Fly Blocks?

Part One

6 Reasons

For You To Design A Placemat

Designing quilts is fun; it's something every quilter aspires to. But, if you've never designed a quilt, it's hard to know where to start. I suggest you start small, with a placemat.

Designing placemats is a great way to get re-acquainted with your creative self. Here's why.

How Hard Is It

To Design A New Block?

Part 4 (Designing Units For Blocks)

You will find it easier to design a quilt block if you focus on the units that make up the block.

How Hard Is It

To Design A New Block?

Part 3 (4 x 4 Grids)

Designing new quilt blocks is fairly easy when you design on a grid.

Inspiration

For Your Valentine's Quilt

It's less than 2 weeks to Valentine's Day. I thought you might like to go to the following blogs and see some of the projects various quilters have been working on.

What Inspires Me

To Start A New Quilt?

My quilting career began with this quilt, Young Reader. When I started this quilt, other than being confident that I could learn how, I knew nothing about sewing. And it shows.