Three more new quilt blocks in February

By this time you will be noting that half square triangles are a very common component in many quilt blocks. Here is more evidence.

• My Fancy - My version uses some flying geese patches to replace a few of the half square triangles so there are less seams and therefore less bulk in the block.


• Birds in the Air could be considered a study in the use of half square triangles, since that is the only type of patch used in the block.


• Lady of the Lake is a great example of the use of colour value, as there are definite dark and light components to the block.

_{Quilt block images © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com}

New Quilt Blocks in February

images © W. Russell

I have been a little more diligent in creating new quilt block patterns this past month and am listing six of them today. I will update with more new blocks, hopefully tomorrow.

Judging by the images shown, I seem to be going through a "green and blue" phase, as you can see for yourself. But, since blue is the most common favourite colour for quilters, I guess this might be a good thing.

• Prickly Pear has only squares and half square triangles, but is considered at the Intermediate level of difficulty due to the number of pieces in the block


• Opposites Attract can be as interesting (colour-wise) as you choose or simply a study in dark and light. The pattern illustrates both options.


• Proof Positive introduces you to the three quarter square triangle.


• Indiana Star is a nine patch featuring half square triangles.


• Ts in a Ring might be considered as an Intermediate level block, but only due to the number of pieces.


• Dancing Bear features half square and quarter square triangles.

_{Images © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com}
 

Four Corners

Four Corners

The Four Corners quilt block resembles the Ohio Star, but has additional interest in both the centre of the block and the four corners -- hence the name. This is a good choice for teachers to use when introducing the quarter square triangle patch to new quilters.

Download the free quilt block pattern.

Another common phrase that comes to mind when someone says four corners is the "Four Corners of the World". So with that in mind I thought it would be appropriate to give you some quotes about our world.

World Quotes

• "The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it."
  ~ Albert Einstein








• "The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page."
  ~ St. Augustine


• "You must be the change you wish to see in the world."
  ~ Mahatma Gandhi


• "It's amazing that the amount of news that happens in the world every day always just exactly fits the newspaper."
  ~ Jerry Seinfeld

_{'Four Corners' quilt block image © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com
'Four Corners of the World' image courtesy of nuttakit at FreeDigitalPhotos.net}

It's winter, but I still like autumn the best

The Autumn Leaves quilt block is a little more challenging than some I have introduced you to in the last while. However, it is only challenging due to the number of pieces in each block -- 53 to be exact. The block is a seven patch, meaning simply that it is created on a 7 grid square.

Autumn Leaves

The block is comprised of squares, rectangles and half square triangles, all the most basic of quilt patches. The only difficulty you may face is in sewing an accurate quarter inch seam allowance so that all parts will fit together precisely to create this block.

I chose to make this quilt block with a dark background fabric for a change, but you may prefer to use a light fabric instead. As in everything with regard to quilt making, the only real "rule" (aside from accurate sewing) is to have contrast in your fabric choices -- preferably including a light, medium and a dark fabric -- so that all the shapes are apparent. This will be what sets your block off rather than having all the fabrics blend together -- although, at times, that may be the desired effect. So, all in all, you get to choose all the "players" in the fabric game and that is what makes quiltmaking so interesting. No two people will make the same choices.

Download this free quilt block pattern.

Quotes about Seasons

• "The coming and going of the seasons give us more than the springtimes, summers, autumns, and winters of our lives. It reflects the coming and going of the circumstances of our lives like the glassy surface of a pond that shows our faces radiant with joy or contorted with pain."
  ~ Gary Zukav


• "And you would accept the seasons of your heart just as you have always accepted that seasons pass over your fields and you would watch with serenity through the winters of your grief."
  ~ Kahlil Gibran


• "In seed time learn, in harvest teach, in winter enjoy."
  ~ William Blake


• "Spring is nature's way of saying, "Let's party!"
  ~ Robin Williams

_{'Autumn Leaves' image © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com}