Offset Balkan Puzzle Blocks

Look What Trista Did

Some time ago I experimented with offsetting Balkan Puzzle blocks. Trista liked the idea and made this quilt top.

Offset Block #14

 

Spool

I was looking for an interesting block to play with offset when I came across Spool. My first thought was, this is not an interesting block and no matter how I color it or offset it, it will never be interesting. I decided to give it a try more out of a sense of fairness and duty than from any expectation that anything would come from it.

Here's what I found.

Offset Block #13

Snail's Trail

Snail's Trail is a very unique block. It will be interesting to see what happens when it is offset.

Offset Block #12

Kansas Dugout

Kansas Dugout is a nice simple block. I'm going to play with it.

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.

Offset Block #10

What Happens When You Offset

Balkan Puzzle Blocks?

I am enjoying winter and if it wants to hang around, that's fine by me. But for some reason, when I look at a Balkan Puzzle block colored like this I think of flowers and I want to plant a garden.

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.

Offset Block #7

What Happens When You Offset

Shoo Fly Blocks?

Part One

Offset Block #6

Where Did This Come From?

Offset Block #5

Nine Patch Curves

Way back on 3 January 2011 I was playing with Nine Patch blocks and made some wiggly lines.

My wife had some 2 1/2" cut squares left over from a project and wanted to use them up. So she made this scrappy quilt top from my design.

I think it turned out rather well. Don't you?

Offset Block #4

Linda's Swirls

Linda emailed me this sketch

"I don't design but I thought I'd try."
"I asked what if I make swirls?"

She's thinking of piecing it in shades of blue and quilting turbulence around the image.

I think it's wonderful. I wish I'd thought of it.

Offset Block #3

Try Using

Offset Nine Patch Blocks

To Launch A Design

This is the 3rd in a series of posts in which I am trying to convince you that if you start with a simple design element (in this case a Nine Patch block) and just fool around with it you will find yourself creating novel designs.

Offset Block #2

What Can You Do

With Nine Patch Blocks

If You Offset Them?

Offset Block #1

Start With Something Simple

You want to design a quilt. Every quilter does. And I want you to design a quilt. That's why I started my blog. So where do you start? How do you start?