Pretty in Pink

Princess Charlotte sample quilt

Well the day after my last post, wouldn't you know it but I came upon a quilt block called Princess Charlotte. I don't recall ever seeing it before (at least with this name) but it may have been around for a while, or perhaps it was created to welcome the newest member of Britain's royal family.

Princess Charlotte quilt block

Whatever the case, I think it is a wonderful choice and it has lots of possibilities when you put it into your quilt. An added bonus is that it is an easy quilt block to make. What could be better?

Download the free quilt block pattern.

The sweetness of babies

• "Having a baby is one of the most wonderful things in your life, as well as the hardest thing in your life."
  ~ Nuno Bettencourt


• Whenever I want to laugh, I read a wonderful book, Children's Letters to God. You can open it anywhere. One I read recently said, "Dear God, thank you for the baby brother, but what I prayed for was a puppy."
  ~ Maya Angelou

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

Star or Pinwheel?

Quote for Today

"For my part I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of the stars makes me dream."
~ Vincent van Gogh

Turning Stars quilt block

Turning Stars Quilt Block

Given the colours I chose for this quilt block, I should have featured it at Easter time. But, here it is now, just in time for some lovely spring weather. (Easter and springtime go together, right?)

The Turning Stars quilt block is an easy block to construct as it is a four patch, which often means less seams to sew. It can also be a learning experience for new quilters, because  it uses several quarter square triangles in each of the four quadrants.

Now, who is with me on this ... shouldn't this quilt block name have the word pinwheel in it rather than stars? Just sayin'.


_{'Turning Stars' quilt block image © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com}

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}
 

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}

Latest Quilt Block Patterns

Latest quilt block patterns

The past month has been a busy one for me ... and I am sure it was for you too. Now that the holidays are over, I hope to be more productive in creating new quilt block patterns for you. Within the last month I have designed four new block patterns and they are shown in the image.

• Fan Waves features half square triangles, quarter square triangles and flying geese units.


• My version of Blackford's Beauty is simplified for your ease in construction.


• Sunshine is a little more challenging, but only because it contains more pieces.


• Rainy Day was chosen just by chance. I did not even remember that I had also created Sunshine. How coincidental!

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

New Quilt Blocks in November 2014

 I hope all of you are enjoying the festive atmosphere as we all prepare for the holiday season. In the last month I have added three new quilt block patterns for you to enjoy.

New quilt block patterns

New Quilt Blocks in the past month

• A Variation on Fanny's Favorite
  - lots of pieces (but simple ones) for those wanting a bit more of a challenge
  - features squares, rectangles, half square triangles and flying geese units
  
• Star in Diamond
  - flying geese units
  - introduction to square in a square for centre patch
  - sewn as an uneven nine patch
• Autumn Leaves
  - 53 pieces in this block, but none of them difficult and well worth the effort

Quotes about Celebrating the Season

• "Celebrate what you want to see more of."
  ~ Thomas J. Peters


• "Celebrate the happiness that friends are always giving, make every day a holiday and celebrate just living!"
  ~ Amanda Bradley


• "The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate."
  ~ Oprah Winfrey
  And the most important thought for the season ...
  


• "Share our similarities, celebrate our differences."
  ~ M. Scott Peck 

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

Brought to you by the letter "A"

Today's featured quilt block Arrows,

'Arrows' quilt block

surprised me when I designed a quilt using this block. On the surface, the quilt block looks quite simple (and it is) -- but to many people, that would mean 'boring'. This just shows you that you just never know when you will be surprised with the end result when you put it all together.

Download the free quilt block pattern.

Since I did not have any fabulous quotes about 'Arrows', I decided to show you quotes within topics beginning with the letter A.

• Abstinence
  "Once, during Prohibition, I was forced to live for days on nothing but food and water."
  ~ W. C. Fields


• Animals
  "Man is the only animal that blushes - or needs to."
  ~ Mark Twain


• Advice
  " 'I am' is reportedly the shortest sentence in the English language. Could it be that 'I do' is the longest sentence?"
  ~ George Carlin


• Accuracy
  "Even a stopped clock is right twice a day."

  

  'Arrows' quilt

  
  ~ Author Unknown

More Quote Topics Beginning With the Letter "A"

_{All images © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com}

New Quilt Blocks in the Last Month

It occurred to me that I have created many, many quilt block patterns that I have yet to blog. So, I had the brilliant idea that I would post links to those patterns each month, so that you are aware of new patterns that are available.

I would like to create more and more block patterns, but I have a full-time job that seems to take up most of my time. Imagine! So, I do this as a sideline just for my own fun (and I hope, yours). My five year plan is to create patterns for 4,000 quilt blocks, so I hope you will continue on this journey with me. I do appreciate all the feedback I get from visitors and if you would like to drop me a line just visit the contact page.

Below are links to the quilt block patterns shown in the image.

New quilt blocks this past month

• Hourglass
  - good connector block
  - great choice for beginner quilters
• Card Trick
  - try out your quarter square triangles
• Garden Block
  - another basic block
• Four Corners
  - more challenging
• English Wedding Ring
  - a nice choice using a 5 grid

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