Black Tie Event quilt block

Well I tried. I was going for a monochromatic quilt block but I just had to add a spark of colour. I'm a person who just adores colour everywhere, and as a result, it is difficult for me to stick to a single colour family in a quilt block. So, I just added a touch of colour -- my favourite colour -- to this block. I think it makes all the difference.

Black Tie Event quilt block

I took some liberties with this block -- making slight changes to another block created by Michelle Bartholomew, which she called Doves in the Daylight. I removed a few seams, thereby reducing the bulk and added the red corner squares. Michelle's block was also based on another quilters' favourite called Doves in the Window. Can you see how quilt blocks evolve over time? You start with one block, make some subtle changes, and voilà -- a new block is created. In this case, I have named it Black Tie Event.

I really had fun designing the quilts using this block. By introducing the sashing strips, I was once again able to include the tiny spots of red to brighten up the result. I think this colour combination lends itself to a special gift for the man in your life --  (at least that's my opinion). Your thoughts?

Black Tie Event sample quilts

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

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It's for the Birds

Doves in the Window quilt block

Lame, I know, but I couldn't resist since this featured quilt block is called Doves in the Window. This seven patch block (so named because it is built on a 7 x 7 grid) is not difficult because it contains only the most basic of patches -- the rectangle, square and half square triangles. And ... although the block is constructed on a 7 x 7 grid, it does not contain 49 pieces. Whew!

Doves in the Window

Like many quilt blocks, you will notice similarities to other blocks -- in this case to Bear's Paw. The only difference I can see between the two blocks is what direction the half square triangles are pointing.Take a look and compare for yourself.

The next step is deciding on what kind of layout to use for your own quilt.

Download  the free quilt block patterns:

• Doves in the Window
• Bear's Paw

Ancient Chinese Proverb

• "A bird does not sing because it has an answer. It sings because it has a song."

_{'Doves in the Window' images © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com}