Road to Rome quilt block

Italy in the summertime. What could be better? I can only speculate as I have never been, but I will get there someday.

On that note, today's featured quilt block is called Road to Rome. If you are a beginner quilter, then this block is one for you. You will practice using the two most commonly pieced patches that are found in oh so many quilts -- the half square triangle and the flying geese units.

Road to Rome quilt block image

The two sample quilts shown below are both designed to continue with simplicity. The quilt on the left uses an on point setting and features extra, blank blocks to showcase your quilting designs. The quilt on the right sets the quilt blocks side by side, separated with sashing strips. Both are striking versions.

Quilts designed using the ROAD TO ROME quilt block

Check out these other "ROAD" quilt blocks:
~ Road to California
~ Road to Kansas
~ Road to Mississippi
~ Road to Vegas
~ Rocky Road


  <sub>All images © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com

This website uses cookies. By using the services and products of this website, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more ...</sub>

Blueberry Compote quilt block

The quilt block called Blueberry Compote is a quick and easy one to construct. It uses only squares and half square triangles.

My first block was designed using only three colours, but I thought it was a little drab, so I decided to add the bright orange --the complementary colour to the blue. By using a little of this colour, it gives the block just the spark it needed. (However, if your goal is to create a more subtle colour palette, then the choice on the left is the one for you.)

Blueberry Compote quilt blocks

Below I have used both blocks to create the sample quilts. The first selections show the quilt blocks set side by side in groupings of four blocks. Rotations by 90 degrees of some of the blocks in each group, results in a quilt with a secondary pattern appearing.

Quilts designed with the BLUEBERRY COMPOTE quilt block. Side by side block setting

This second set of quilts uses the quilt blocks set on point. Several blocks are also rotated to once again utilize the directional nature of the blocks, and create an entirely different quilt design.

More quilts designed using the BLUEBERRY COMPOTE quilt block. On Point block setting

<sub>All images © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com

This website uses cookies. By using the services and products of this website, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more ...</sub>

Chisholm Trail quilt block

The Chisholm Trail quilt block is named for the famous cattle drive path from from Texas to Kansas in the post-civil war era. The "Chisholm" part of the trail was blazed and marked in 1864 by Jesse Chisholm, as a way to supply his own trading posts in Indian Territory, which is now part of Oklahoma.

Chisholm Trail quilt block

The design of the Chisholm Trail quilt block fits its name as it has a directional nature, which seems to me, to be appropriate. Directional blocks have lots of opportunities for the design of your quilt. By rotating some of the blocks by 90 degrees, you can develop all sorts of interesting variations.
This simple four patch quilt block is ideal as a starting point for a new quilter. Squares and half square triangles are the only patches used in this block.

The sample quilts illustrated are made with simple settings. Your biggest decision is how much colour do you want to add to the final quilt.

Quilts designed using the CHISHOLM TRAIL quilt block

<sub>All images © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com

This website uses cookies. By using the services and products of this website, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more ...</sub>

Love in the Mist quilt block

Continuing on the Valentine theme I started earlier this week, today's featured quilt block even has the word "Love" in the title. Love in the Mist is an easier block to make than Cupid's Arrow Point, featured previously.

Love in the Mist quilt block

Love in the Mist is a simple nine patch block featuring half square triangles and the square in a square patch -- (which is fast becoming a favourite of mine). However, don't think you are limited to using these "romantic" colours, as this star block would look fabulous in many other colour schemes.
The two sample quilts shown below use standard layouts of the blocks -- one quilt shows the blocks side by side with a centre section of blank blocks to showcase your quilting skills. The second quilt features extra colour in the blank blocks as well as sashing strips for additional effect.

Quilts designed using the LOVE IN THE MIST quilt block

<sub>All images © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com

This website uses cookies. By using the services and products of this website, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more ...</sub>

Four Crowns quilt block

At first glance, you might not like this quilt block called Four Crowns, as it has a "directional" nature to it. Some might think that that will limit your options in the resultant quilt. I say that it is quite the contrary. Directional quilt blocks open up all sorts of interesting design possibilities.

Four Crowns quilt block

This Four Crowns quilt block is a four patch and is constructed entirely of half square triangles, in two different sizes. This is the perfect block to use to practice up on the most commonly used quilt patch.

The two sample quilts shown below give you ideas of how the directional aspect of this quilt block can work to create a wide variety of different quilt layouts. I would be interested in seeing some that you can design as well.

Quilts designed using the FOUR CROWNS quilt block

<sub>All images © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com

This website uses cookies. By using the services and products of this website, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more ...</sub>

A quilt block by any other name ....

Do you see what I see? Do these two blocks look the same?

On the left you are looking at Fox and Geese

On the right you are looking at Old Maid's Puzzle

Fox and Geese quilt block                                                      Old Maid's Puzzle quilt block

I don't know the history of how these blocks were named, but I suspect that two different quilters both had the same brilliant idea for an easy four patch block and here you see the results.

Since today's post offers two different quilt blocks, here are two sets of quilt layouts.

Quilts designed using the FOX AND GEESE quilt block

Quilts designed using the OLD MAID'S PUZZLE quilt block

<sub>All images © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com

This website uses cookies. By using the services and products of this website, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more ...</sub>

Twilight Star quilt block

The Twilight Star quilt block is designed using another quilt block as its starting point. This is a common occurrence in quiltmaking. One block looks interesting -- and then -- with a couple of quick change-ups -- you have a brand new block.

Twilight Star quilt block

Now, I cannot take the credit for the origin of this nine patch block -- I just admire it and like that it can add to my collection of Star quilt blocks. The Twilight Star block stems from a frequently used favourite among quilters, (especially in a teaching situation) -- called Ohio Star.

The Twilight Star is comprised of frequently used patches -- the half square triangle and the quarter square triangle. All in all, it is a fun project.

The two sample quilts illustrated both use on point settings of the blocks. However, with simple changes made to the fabrics used for the setting triangles and extra blank blocks, you get two very different quilts.

Quilts designed using the TWILIGHT STAR quilt block

<sub>All images © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com

This website uses cookies. By using the services and products of this website, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more ...</sub>

Weathervane quilt block

I don't really have a reason, but the Weathervane quilt block has always been one of my favourites. Perhaps it is that it is an easy quilt block to construct, using half square triangles -- and my favourite patch -- the flying geese unit. Along the way you will throw in some squares and rectangles just for effect.

Weathervane quilt block

This easy block would be a good choice for teachers -- to introduce new quilters to the most commonly used layout for a quilt block -- the nine patch -- and to practice up on the two frequent patches most often seen in a patchwork block -- namely that half square triangle and flying geese.

The two sample quilts illustrated use the standard settings for quilts. On the left, the blocks are laid out using an on point setting with sashing strips to separate and frame the blocks. On the right, blocks are set side by side with additional blank blocks (as in the quilt on the left as well) to feature your quilting, . The only limit to your creativity is your imagination. Enjoy!

Quilts designed using the WEATHERVANE quilt block

<sub>All images © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com

This website uses cookies. By using the services and products of this website, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more ...</sub>

Amish Star quilt block

Another easy quilt block that is perfect for the beginner. (But don't think you can't make a dramatic quilt using only simple blocks -- not so.) A case in point is the Amish Star block which uses only the most basic patches in quiltmaking.

Amish Star quilt block

Featured patches in this nine patch block are simple squares and rectangles and then you will move on to half square triangles and flying geese units. Quilters use these same patches over and over and over again making all sorts of wonderful designs.

The quilts illustrated use two different examples of on point settings. One uses blank blocks to feature your exquisite quilting, while the second design covers the whole surface and separates the blocks with sashing strips. Just a "drop in the bucket" of designs you can come up with too.

More STAR quilt block patterns

Quilts designed using the AMISH STAR quilt block

<sub>All images © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com

This website uses cookies. By using the services and products of this website, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more ...</sub>

Garden Square quilt block

The Garden Square quilt block might look familiar to you. It is similar to another block called Folded Corners, but with a simple change. Look closely and you will see the slight difference between the two blocks.


Since the name of this nine patch block brings a garden or greenery to mind -- (at least it does to me) -- one of the block samples is done in appropriate colours of a natural setting. I also chose a different colour scheme for those of you who like a more "masculine" look. In both cases, I stuck with the monochrome colours in order to continue on theme of an optical illusion that is created in the corners -- as if they are folded down -- just as in the Folded Corners quilt block.

Garden Square quilt blocks

 

Below are two of the four different sample quilts I designed using this block. You can see the other examples when you download the free quilt block pattern. I hope you truly enjoy creating your own special quilt with this quilt block.

Quilts designed using the GARDEN SQUARE quilt block

More "optical illusion" quilt blocks:
~ Folded Corners 
~ Formal Frame

<sub>All images © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com

This website uses cookies. By using the services and products of this website, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more ...</sub>

Puss in the Corner quilt block

The Puss in the Corner quilt block is a simple nine patch featuring only squares and half square triangles. This block would be a wonderful choice to practice those triangles (which are the most commonly used patches in quiltmaking) and perfecting your quarter inch seam allowance along the way.

Puss in the Corner quilt block

This block could be sewn in a different way, by using flying geese units instead of pairs of half square triangles, but I thought the practice of making these much used patches was an opportunity for beginner quilters to "hone" their skills.

Continuing on with beginner quilters in mind, I chose to make the sample quilt illustrations using common (and favourite) quilt layouts for the blocks. One quilt shows the block laid out side by side while the other quilt features the blocks set on point with sashing strips between the blocks. Now, it's over to you -- what can you come up with?

Quilts designed using the PUSS IN THE CORNER quilt block

<sub>All images © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com

This website uses cookies. By using the services and products of this website, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more ...</sub>

Depression quilt block

The Depression quilt block is one of my favourites -- for two reasons. First, it is an easy block to construct featuring only half square triangles. Secondly, this block lends itself perfectly to making a scrappy version, thereby clearing out a lot of the little bits of fabric in your stash.

DEPRESSION quilt block

This four patch block is a perfect choice to practice up on sewing half square triangles, as the whole block is comprised of only those patches -- which are the most commonly used patches in quiltmaking (after the square of course).

The two sample quilts give you an idea of using this block to create a sort of optical illusion (left quilt) -- as in "Am I looking at light diamonds framing dark diamonds or is it the reverse?" The quilt on the right gives even more attention to the scrappy look by adding extra blank blocks in a variety of colours. There is no end to the designs you can come up with.

Quilts designed using the DEPRESSION quilt block

<sub>All images © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com

This website uses cookies. By using the services and products of this website, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more ...</sub>

Entwined Star quilt block

The Entwined Star quilt block is a simple nine patch block. Now having said that, it also introduces you to a method that quilters refer to as "sew and flip". In a nutshell, for some of the patches, you sew a square to another fabric and the end result is a triangle in the corner! Sounds complicated, but this is really easy and an alternative method for quilters who like to avoid triangles if at all possible.

Entwined Star quilt block

Now, not all of the visible triangles in this block are constructed in this manner -- and that gives you more exposure to working with quarter square triangles and half square triangles to produce a patch (underused, in my opinion), which is often referred to as the three quarter square triangle.


The two sample quilts illustrated use standard layouts for the blocks. So depending on whether you like to do lots of patchwork or you like to show off your quilting skills, you might lean towards one of these options -- or be creative and design a setting of your own.

Quilts designed using the ENTWINED STAR quilt block

As a side note ~ This block looked familiar to me and I realized that not only had I already created the pattern for a similar block -- but -- that other block uses similar fabrics! So perhaps you might take a look at this block, which uses only squares and half square triangles.

• FROLIC quilt block pattern

<sub>All images © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com

This website uses cookies. By using the services and products of this website, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more ...</sub>

Disappearing Nine Patch quilt block

The Disappearing Nine Patch quilt block is one that is designed for machine piecers -- not the hand piecers in the quiltmaking world. However, for those quilters (like me) who enjoy sewing your quilt blocks by hand, I have also made that pattern for you as well. (More on that later in this post.)

Disappearing Nine Patch quilt block

This is a quick and easy quilt block to sew by machine. It is constructed as a simple nine patch of nine equal sized squares. After pressing, the block is then sliced and sections are rotated to create the new block -- (hence the "disappearing" part of the name of the quilt block.)


The two sample quilts illustrated use common layouts of the blocks -- an on point version and side by side version. And as you can see I have chosen to make these quilts as totally scrappy versions, but you may choose to use a controlled set of colour options. (That's what makes quiltmaking so amazing -- every quilt is an original work of art!)

Quilts designed using the DISAPPEARING NINE PATCH quilt block

Now back to the pattern designed for quilters who like to piece their blocks by hand. I had made this pattern a few years ago when I was unsure of the name of the block -- and, since it is constructed in a totally different manner, I made up my own name for that version of the block. Here is my version of the MOSAIC quilt block. You will also notice that I have reversed the placement of the dark and light colours in the Mosaic block/quilts to give you a totally different look.

<sub>* Thanks to Alyssa C. for the heads up about the real name of the Mosaic quilt block

All images © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com

This website uses cookies. By using the services and products of this website, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more ...</sub>

It's Canada Day!!

Today is Canada Day and not just any Canada Day! It's the 150^th anniversary of Confederation of this great country and there are lots of celebrations planned all across the land.

The title of today's quilt block -- Love in the Mist -- doesn't bring Canada to mind, but the reds and white just screamed to me that I had to post it today.

Love in the Mist quilt block

This quilt block uses simple shapes and patches -- squares and half square triangles and also features one of my favourite patches -- the square in a square.



Whether the star in the centre is what grabs your attention or maybe (like me), red is your favourite colour -- this easy nine patch block is a fun one to make.

The two sample quilts illustrated feature blocks set side by side or on point. Both quilts give you ample opportunities to showcase your quilting designs.

More Canadiana quilt blocks:
~ Maple Leaf
~ Simple Maple Leaf

Sample quilts using the Love in the Mist quilt block

<sub>All images © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com

This website uses cookies. By using the services and products of this website, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more ...</sub>

My Fancy quilt block

I don't know why quilt blocks get their specific names, but the My Fancy block does not strike me as particularly "fancy". So, I chose to make it monochromatic and that is my contribution to being fancy.

My Fancy quilt block

The block falls into two different categories -- a four patch (the centre section) and then the complete block is constructed as an uneven nine patch. With half square triangles and flying geese units making up the block, this is a complete learning experience for a new quiltmaker.


The two sample quilts illustrated look like they were done with totally different blocks -- simply because of how the blocks were set into the quilt. So, now it is over to you to create a stunning heirloom.

Sample quilts designed using the My Fancy quilt block

<sub>All images © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com

This website uses cookies. By using the services and products of this website, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more ...</sub>

Flying Ducks quilt block

The Flying Ducks quilt block would be a good choice to use as a learning tool -- as a "step 2" of sorts for using half square triangles. Generally half square triangles are used as a "patch" by sewing two right angled triangles of contrasting fabrics together to create a square. However, often we need to use the cut pieces differently.

Flying Ducks quilt block

In this quilt block, some of the single half square triangle pieces are sewn to adjoining sides of a square to create a large triangle. This new pieced triangle is then finished into a square by sewing a single larger triangle to the pieced triangle. Still confused? Well you can see what I mean by looking at the four corner sections of the block.

The second learning experience in this quilt block is known as a three quarter square triangle patch. Two quarter square triangles are used to make one side of the square and this then is sewn to a third triangle. You use different methods for the initial cuts of these triangles as it is always preferable to have the straight of grain of the fabric on the outside of the patch (to avoid distortion).

The two sample quilts shown use very basic on point settings of the blocks, but the resultant quilts look very different.

Sample quilts using the Flying Ducks quilt block

<sub>All images © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com

This website uses cookies. By using the services and products of this website, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more ...</sub>

Rocky Garden quilt block

The Rocky Garden quilt block is a simple nine patch, but it is also a lesson in using half square triangles as cut pieces, rather than the usual method of making a square from two of the pieces.

Rocky Garden quilt block

Along the way, you will also be constructing a few flying geese units as well -- just for good measure. All in all, this quilt block would make a good choice for a quilting class for beginners.

When deciding on the layout of one of the sample quilts illustrated below (the side by side setting), I chose to reverse the colours in half of the sewn blocks. I just liked the way that option looked. The second sample quilt uses an on point setting and I added sashing between the blocks. As you can see this produces a very different quilt.

Download the free quilt block pattern.

Rocky Garden sample quilts

<sub>All images © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com

This website uses cookies. By using the services and products of this website, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more ...</sub>

Woven Four Patch quilt block

Well hello again. It's been a while.

Actually, I have been blogging all along, but I had deviated on a different course, which divided my focus. Now, after much thought, I just wanted to get back to my first passion -- and that is making quilts.

Woven Four Patch quilt block

Today's featured quilt block -- Woven Four Patch -- is one that could not be simpler to sew -- as it contains only squares and rectangles. The fun begins when you make lots of these blocks and then start to play around with the layout of the quilts.
In the two sample quilts illustrated below, you will notice how very different they look from each other. The quilt on the right looks (at least to me) kind of like a plaid, while the quilt on the left had a border made of three quarter square triangles giving a look of a "picket fence".

Woven Four Patch sample quilts

Download the free quilt block pattern and see what I have also included in the way of extra instructions as a bonus!

<sub>All images © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com

This website uses cookies. By using the services and products of this website, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more ...</sub>

It's All About the Green Today

I'm a little late in getting started on this blog post today, because I was already out and about today joining in the festivities of celebrating St. Patrick's Day. Judging by this picture, all ages enjoy a good time.

Well what could be more Irish (in terms of quilting) than blocks called Irish Puzzle and Danny Boy? So, I thought I would present you with both, and of course, I went with making them in the obvious varieties of green.

Danny Boy is a simple nine patch block using mostly half square triangles, but the centre patch is the square in a square -- adding to the interest.

Irish Puzzle is a four patch block that is more of an intermediate level, due only to the number of pieces in the quilt block.

Time now to get out your green and start searching for some gold (at the end of that rainbow) and celebrate your own version of these blocks.

A salute to St. Paddy's Day

Irish Sayings

( ... how interesting that all of the authors are unknown)

• "It's no use carrying an umbrella if your shoes are leaking."
  ~ Author Unknown


• "There are only two kinds of people in the world. The Irish and those who wish they were."
  ~ Author Unknown


• "Irish diplomacy is the ability to tell a man to go to hell so that he looks forward to making the trip."
  ~ Author Unknown


• "May those who love us, love us; and those who don't love us, may God turn their hearts; and if He doesn't turn their hearts, may He turn their ankles so we'll know them by their limping."
  ~ Author Unknown


• "If you're lucky enough to be Irish, you're lucky enough!"
  ~ Author Unknown

<sub>All images © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com

This website uses cookies. By using the services and products of this website, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more ...</sub>