Try This Simple Exercise

For Designing Quilts

An easy way to start a quilt design is to take a simple block and then add to it.

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.

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.

How Hard Is It

To Design A New Block?

Part 2

As you know, there are countless quilt blocks. And there are new ones being designed every day. Be honest; haven't you thought that it would be nice if you could design one. Then in some small way you could be a part of the history of quilting. I would be surprised if the thought hadn't crossed your mind at some time.

Well, why not? You can design a quilt block if you try. It's really not all that hard.

How Hard Is It

To Design A New Block?

Part 1

Quilters have been designing blocks for ages. Everything that can be done, has been done. Right? Well of course not! There will always be new blocks. And there is no reason you can't design one.

Do You Recognize

These Traditional Blocks?

Part 3

I'm not going to tell you what they are. Instead, I'm challenging you to tell me.

Do You Recognize

This Traditional Block?

Part 2

If you say it's Spool, you are right, but hold on, because...

If you say it's Calico Puzzle, you are also right. How about that, 2 right answers.

Do You Recognize

This Traditional Block?

Part 1

If you say it's Shoo Fly, then you're right.

If you say it's Snowball, then you're right too. Well, actually its a snowball variation because of the square in the center. But that's being picky, so forget I mentioned it.