Bring on the marshmallows ...

Forest Campfire quilt block

The Forest Campfire quilt block has lots of possibilities with the layout of the quilts. Setting the blocks side by side produces a secondary pattern which seems to give you "more bang for your buck", so to speak.

Flying geese patches and three quarter square triangles make the block, so this is a time to test out those shapes, if they are new to you.

 

Camping Fun

• "Camping is nature's way of promoting the motel business."
  ~ Dave Barry


• "We're not much of a camping family. When I was in Cub Scouts, we went camping once, and my dad snored the whole time and kept me up. It wasn't that fun."
  ~ Chandler Riggs


• "If you're not in New York, you're camping out."
  ~ Thomas Dewey

_{'Forest Campfire' image © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com
Campfire Image courtesy of franky242 at FreeDigitalPhotos.net}

A rose by any other name ...

English Rose quilt block

I seem to be on a "pink" kick, but isn't pink a favourite colour for the roses you receive?

The English Rose quilt block is comprised of simple patches -- the square and the half square triangle, so there is nothing difficult in the sewing of the block. The fun begins when you start to play around with the layout of the blocks, to see what secondary pattern can emerge as a result.

These two quilt illustrations show you just some of the ways to set your blocks to get secondary effects.

English Rose quilts

You might also be interested in other "royal" quilt blocks as well, such as ...

~ Princess Charlotte

~ Queen Charlotte's Crown

~ Coronation

~ More Flower Quilt Blocks

Thank you Mr. Shakespeare

"What’s in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet; ...."
~ [Act II, Scene II - Romeo and Juliet]


_{'English Rose' images © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com}

Anyone up for Checkers?

There are lots of things going for this quilt block called Checkerboard Friends.  It is a seven patch block with quite a few pieces, but works well as a larger block -- hence fewer blocks to make for a quilt.

Checkerboard Friends quilt block

I chose to construct this block as an uneven nine patch as I find working with larger units easier to manage. However, you can easily make this block in rows if that is your preference. Half square triangles are featured in the outer border, but the main patch used is the simple square. Easy, peasy.

Lots of options present themselves for a quilt layout and if you throw in a few blank blocks as shown in the illustrated sample, your quilt goes together faster and you get to showcase your quilting skills. A win-win situation!

Download the free quilt block pattern.

Checkerboard Friends quilt

And Speaking of Friendship ...

• "I value the friend who, for me, finds time on his calendar, but I cherish the friend who for me does not consult his calendar."
  ~ Robert Brault

_{'Checkerboard Friends' images © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com}

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}

County Fair

County Fair quilt block

County Fair is a block I had never seen before and it would be a choice if you want a bit of a challenge. Blocks within a block is how you might describe County Fair as there are four distinct star blocks within the larger block. All in all that means lots of pieces.

The good news is that your quilt can go together faster since you make larger blocks and therefore, need fewer in the end.

County Fair quilt

By switching up the colours for the background you can make a really striking quilt. Or why not try using a unique layout for the blocks to achieve another interesting look for your special project.

Download the free quilt block pattern.

Fun at the Fair

• "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans."
  ~ John Lennon

Make that a double ...

Double Links quilt block

As in a Double Links quilt block...

This block might be considered challenging by some, but only because it contains so many individual pieces. However, the patches are all common ones -- half square triangles and quarter square triangles. By sewing a precise quarter inch seam allowance, you will find that this is not a difficult quilt block to make -- it might just take a while due to the number of pieces. In the end though, you will be pleased with the result.

Double Links quilt

I had great fun playing around with the quilt settings and this is one of the quilts I came up with. Not only do you have a really interesting quilt block to feature, but you also have ample free space to feature your quilting skills.

Download the free quilt block pattern.

P.S. to Maria -- does this block look familiar?

One Smart Guy

• "Creativity is intelligence having fun."
  ~ Albert Einstein

_{'Double Links' images © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com}

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}

The bookies got it right ...

It's all in the name. The royals have chosen a name for the newest arrival and it is as predicted ... Princess Charlotte.

Kate and Princess Charlotte

So, the closest I could get to that was to feature a quilt block called Queen Charlotte's Crown. It's all royalty after all, and perhaps she will actually be a queen someday.

This quilt block is also appropriate for today, which is Cinco de Mayo, celebrated on the 5^th day of the 5^th month. What is the connection you ask? Well this block is a five patch in construction, meaning it is created on a 5 x 5 grid.

Queen Charlotte's Crown quilt block

This block is not seen all that often, and in fact it was new to me when I created the pattern. I find it is always fun to try something new, so perhaps you will enjoy it as well.

Download the free quilt block pattern.

Today's Bit of Celebration

• "Royalty is completely different than celebrity. Royalty has a magic all its own."
  ~ Philip Treacy


• "The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate."
  ~ Oprah Winfrey

_{'Queen Charlotte's Crown' image © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com
'Kate and Princess Charlotte' image courtesy Suzanne Plunkett/Reuters/Landov}