Sun, Sand and Surf

Who doesn't think about getting wet and lying on a beach when the name San Diego is mentioned? This will explain my choice of colours for this quilt block.

San Diego quilt block

The San Diego quilt block could be a teaching tool for quilting instructors as the block contains half square triangles, flying geese units and the block is constructed in "chunks" to make the process simpler. An added bonus, is that the centre is comprised of its own quilt block -- called a Sawtooth Star. So you get two blocks in one!

The two sample quilts illustrated are both designed using an on point setting. The difference lies in just a simple change-up of the fabrics for the blank blocks -- which is a great spot to showcase your quilting skills.

Quilts designed using the San Diego quilt block

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Fireworks to celebrate the 4th of July

One of the biggest days in the United States is the 4^th of July. Celebrations are everywhere -- not to mention the mouth-watering scent of meat sizzling on the barbeques.

One thing for sure is that there will be fireworks once darkness sets in -- and so, here is a quilt block worthy of that event!

Starglow quilt block

This Starglow quilt block is not for the beginner quilter -- unless you are confident in the sewing of an accurate quarter inch allowance. That is the only difficulty due to the number of seams in the block. Other than that, none of the individual patches are difficult -- there are just lots of them.


I changed it up a little in this version of a sample quilt -- by simply swapping the placement of some of the fabrics -- to make a sort of reverse image of the block. By alternating these blocks with the original block, you can achieve all sorts of interesting variations when you design your own quilt. Have fun!

Quilt designed using variations of the STARGLOW quilt block

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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

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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

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Peony Nine Patch quilt block

Flowers are everywhere now (in the northern hemisphere where I live). And my friend Lisa recently posted a picture of her beautiful watercolour of a vase of peonies from her garden. This then, inspired me to create the pattern for the Peony Nine Patch quilt block. I tried to stay true to the colours I had seen in these beautiful blooms in nature.

Peony Nine Patch quilt block

This nine patch block gives you practice using half square triangles and quarter square triangles as individual cut pieces -- rather than creating the usual square patch.




This quilt block can join my most recent floral offering -- Magnolia -- to add to your collection of Flower quilt blocks.

The two sample quilts illustrated surprised me in that they both looked like I intended to design some "plaid" quilts. (I'm a sucker for plaid at any time.) So what do you think?

Quilts designed using Peony Nine Patch quilt block

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Joseph's Coat quilt block

This block is for me! I say that because I just love colour -- and the story tells that Joseph had this amazing coat of many colours. So, naturally I had to design the Joseph's Coat quilt block as a scrappy version with lots and lots of colour. This is a perfect choice to use up all of those scraps in your fabric stash.

Joseph's Coat quilt block

It's important that you have a definite light and dark fabric to give the eye a rest after gazing at all of those colours. (You might even reverse the placement of the light and dark just for a different look.)


This quilt block gives you lots of practice in sewing three different patches -- half square triangles, quarter square triangles and the square in a square patch, but the easy part is in constructing it all as an uneven nine patch block.

I had so much fun playing around with this block that I designed four different sample quilts. Here are two of them below, but you will need to check out the pattern to see the other two ideas.

Sample quilts using the Joseph's Coat quilt block

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Grandmother's Choice quilt block

Earlier this week we looked at celebrating Dads with the Father's Choice quilt block. Today, it is all about Grandma.

Grandmother's Choice quilt block

This is an easy five patch block. It uses half square triangles in two different sizes and that is the extent of the difficulty in this quilt block.


Although this block is technically a five patch (because it is designed on a 5 x 5 grid) it also falls into the category of uneven nine patch due to the size of the patches -- often covering two rows of that five row grid.

The two sample quilts illustrated both use on point settings of the block but give you different looking quilts in the end. The choices of block layout are endless and you just need to use your imagination. Enjoy!

Quilts designed using the Grandmother's Choice quilt block

Keeping it in the Family

~ Father's Choice
~ Mother's Choice
~ Sister's Choice
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Father's Choice quilt block

Last month we celebrated our Moms. Now it is time to recognize those great men in our lives -- Dads. The Father's Choice quilt block might be just what you are looking for.

Father's Choice quilt block

I chose this subtle colour scheme since most of the Dads I know like blue and grey. However, if your Dad has another favourite colour, don't be shy in expressing it in this five patch quilt block. The only pieced patch required is the half square triangle and the rest of the patches are squares. This is a quick and easy block to make.



The two sample quilts illustrated are both using an on point setting of the block. But as you can see, by careful placement of the blocks and choosing other features such as sashing or extra, blank blocks you can achieve very different looks.

Quilts designed using the Father's Choice quilt block

Similar quilt blocks - Keeping it all in the Family

~ Farmer's Daughter 
~ Grandmother's Choice
~ Sister's Choice

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