Geometry and Algebra and Quilts ... oh my!

Chevron Stripes quilt block

I have always been one of those nerdy types who love math. So, drawing, scaling and making quilt blocks has never been a problem for me. Go figure  ... (okay that is my little stab at humour).

I am always more intrigued by patchwork blocks rather than applique blocks simply because I like all those shapes working together. (I must add though, that I really admire those quilters who have mastered applique, since it is such an art form in itself, and one I just don't have the patience to master.)

Chevron Stripes quilt

The Chevron Stripes quilt block is one of those interesting blocks that utilizes only one geometric shape -- the half square triangle. At first glance it looks rather boring -- but that is where the fun begins. By making a bunch of these blocks and then playing with rotations of the block, you can come up with all sorts of interesting quilts. I have shown you one here and a second in the quilt block pattern to get your imagination working.

And speaking of imagination ...

• "To invent, you need a good imagination and a pile of junk."
  ~ Thomas Edison


• "Conversation about the weather is the last refuge of the unimaginative."
  ~ Oscar Wilde


• "When forced to work within a strict framework, the imagination is taxed to its utmost and will produce its richest ideas."
  T. S. Eliot

<sub>Images © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com

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"Get your kicks on Route 66 ..."

My brother and his wife are currently on a once in a lifetime adventure trip in and about Arizona checking out all sorts of desert areas. Driving along a desert highway (Route 66 perhaps?) to travel around the state takes you to many fantastic sights. The most famous site in Arizona is the Grand Canyon.

Desert Highway quilt block

I was at the Grand Canyon many years ago, and remember how glorious the colours of the stone were. Depending on what time of the day you were witnessing this splendour, there are all sorts of variations of oranges and purples that just took your breath away. I think you can guess why I chose these colours for my version of the Desert Highway quilt block.

The circular focus in the centre of this block reminded me of a blazing sun looking down on the colourful rock formations. However, don't let my choice of colour scheme hinder your creativity. Whatever colours you choose will be stunning in your own version of this quilt block.

Download the free quilt block pattern.

Thoughts on Deserts and Adventures

• One way to get the most out of life is to look upon it as an adventure.
  ~ William Feather


• A desert is a place without expectation.
  ~ Nadine Gordimer


• Anytime I feel lost, I pull out a map and stare. I stare until I have reminded myself that life is a giant adventure, so much to do, to see.
  ~ Angelina Jolie


• Sadly, it's much easier to create a desert than a forest.
  ~ James Lovelock


• The biggest adventure you can take is to live the life of your dreams.
  ~ Oprah Winfrey


• Life is either a great adventure or nothing.
  ~ Helen Keller


• Someone asked me, if I were stranded on a desert island what book would I bring... How to Build a Boat.
  ~ Steven Wright

<sub>'Desert Highway' image © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com

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The Final Out ... It's Over

Yogi Berra
1925 - 2015

Baseball legend Yogi Berra was one of the funniest men who ever lived. And ... most of the time it was unintentional .. or was it?

A little history of Yogi:
Yogi was commonly thought to be one of the greatest baseball catchers of all time and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972. The New York Yankees had him for most of the 19 seasons of his career. He was one of only four players to to be named the MVP three times in his career. As either a player, coach or manager, Yogi was part of 21 World Series games, winning in 13 of those.

Lawrence Peter Berra gained his nickname "Yogi" from his fellow baseball pal Bobby Hofman when Hofman commented on his frequent pose of sitting with arms and legs crossed while waiting to bat. Hofman thought he looked like a Hindu yogi, and the name stuck.

Yogi is well known for his observations of life and baseball. You have likely heard (or used) many of these quotes during your own lifetime. Here is just a sampling of those "Yogi-isms".

• "Little League baseball is a very good thing because it keeps the parents off the streets."
• "Nobody goes there anymore. It's too crowded."
• "If you come to a fork in the road, take it."
• "It was impossible to get a conversation going, everybody was talking too much."
• "It's like déjà vu, all over again."
• "A nickel ain't worth a dime anymore."
• "I made a wrong mistake."
• "If you don't know where you are going, you might wind up someplace else."
• "I usually take a two-hour nap from one to four."
• "You can observe a lot by watching."
• "The future ain’t what it used to be."
• "It ain’t the heat, it’s the humility."
• "Baseball is 90 percent mental. The other half is physical."
• "He hits from both sides of the plate. He's amphibious."
• "Pair up in threes."

and probably his most famous quote ...

• "It ain't over 'til it's over."

Sadly, on September 22, 2015, the world lost Yogi Berra at the age of 90. It's over.

One final note .. I can imagine that there will be hundreds and hundreds of people attending Yogi's funeral. He likely followed his own advice.

• "You should always go to other people’s funerals, otherwise, they won’t come to yours."

<sub>Yogi Berra image courtesy public domain

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[Music Maestro please] ... If I Were a Carpenter ...

Carpenter's Wheel is one of my all-time favourite quilt blocks. I just like the shape and I find it intriguing. What I don't find any fun is in the usual construction method of this block. Most of the time you will see this block made with only squares and diamonds, which then result in those dreaded set in seams. So, I believe making the block should be non-stressful and as a result, I have changed it up to use only squares and half square triangles instead. (I would like to take credit for this method, but it is not an original idea.) There are more pieces to sew, but the method is easier, in my opinion, and why not take the easy road?

Since it is one of my favourite blocks, I could not help but play around with it, switching up the colours. So, the pattern has more pages than usual, because I just kept playing and had to "show and tell". I'm sure you will not really mind.

Carpenter's Wheel quilt blocks

Precision is the thing

• "It is the accuracy and detail inherent in crafted goods that endows them with lasting value. It is the time and attention paid by the carpenter, the seamstress and the tailor that makes this detail possible."
  ~ Tim Jackson

An Oldie but definitely a Goodie

If I Were a Carpenter by Bobby Darin

_{'Carpenter's Wheel' quilt block images © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com}

Sandy Dunes and other hot things ...

Sandy Dunes quilt block

Another five patch which supposedly means easy math. Yay!

The Sandy Dunes quilt block is a great starter for beginners, as it contains only two different patches -- one of them being the square. The other is a flying geese unit, which is used in many, many quilt blocks. I played around with colour and the layout to produce two very different quilts. What can you come  up with?

Download the free quilt block pattern.

Where there is sand, there is heat ...

• "Heat not a furnace for your foe so hot that it do singe yourself."
  ~ William Shakespeare


• "If you saw a heat wave, would you wave back?"
  ~ Steven Wright

And speaking of heat ... "Sugar" gave us a few laughs in the movie Some Like it Hot

• Sugar: "Real diamonds! They must be worth their weight in gold!"


• Sugar: "Story of my life. I always get the fuzzy end of the lollipop.

_{'Sandy Dunes' quilt block image © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com
'Some Like it Hot' image courtesy thefridacinema.org}

Back to Vegas ...

Roulette Wheel quilt block

Last week I was directing you along the Road to Vegas. This week I'm introducing you to Roulette Wheel.  Hmmm ... is there a trend here?

This four patch quilt block is made entirely of half square triangles, in two different sizes. The construction is a little different than the norm, as not all of the triangles are made into squares. With careful handling of the individual pieces (to avoid distortion of the bias edge), this block will go together in no time.

Reflections on Gambling

• There is no gambling like politics.
  ~ Benjamin Disraeli


• Gambling: The sure way of getting nothing for something.
  ~ Wilson Mizner


• Part of it went on gambling, and part of it went on women. The rest I spent foolishly.
  ~ George Raft

_{'Roulette Wheel' quilt block image © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com
'Roulette Wheel' image courtesy of patrisyu at FreeDigitalPhotos.net}

Bluebonnet is today's featured block

Bluebonnet quilt block

I couldn't think of a catchy title for this blog post except for the old commercial for Bluebonnet margarine. Cast your mind back to that era and see if you can remember the tune. (I would have used it but was not sure of the copyright issue.)

This five patch block is an easy one and your quilts can become quite creative by using 90 degree rotations of the multiple blocks to produce secondary patterns. The two sample quilts illustrated in the free download will give you an idea (but the changes are subtle).

I did take a bit of a liberty with this Bluebonnet quilt block, as there were originally no rectangles -- just two squares sewn together instead. My thought on that is why create extra seams? So I replaced those two squares with a rectangle instead (times four).

Fun thoughts for today

• "I always wanted to be somebody, but now I realize I should have been more specific."
  ~ Lily Tomlin


• "By all means marry; if you get a good wife, you'll be happy; if you get a bad one, you'll become a philosopher."
  ~ Socrates

Wasn't this an old John Wayne movie?

Today's block is called Rio Grande Crossing. (Where do they come up with these names anyway?) But I digress. It is a simple nine patch block, but with lots of half square triangle patches, your only concern in making the block is to be precise in sewing the quarter inch seam allowance. A little too big seam here, or a too small seam there, doesn't seem like a big deal. However, all of these little errors compound as you make more and more seams, and before you know it, your seams do not match within any "fudging" distance. So, if you are sewing with a machine,  the small investment in a special quarter inch seam foot is the best investment you could make.

Rio Grande Crossing quilts

I chose to show you quilt samples this time, rather than the quilt block, because quite frankly, I thought the block was rather boring. These images might show you that, with some simple rotations and some additional colour, you can make a really special quilt.

(And yes, John Wayne and the Rio Grande made a movie together.)

The Wisdom (and the humour) of "the Duke"

• "Life is hard. It's harder if you're stupid."
• "Get off your horse and drink your milk."
• "I've loved reading all my life."

and for all of those people who love Mondays ...


• "Don't say it's a fine morning or I'll shoot ya."

_{'Rio Grande Crossing' quilt images © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com
John Wayne image courtesy public domain}