Monkey Wrench quilt block

The Monkey Wrench quilt block was one of the many blocks used as codes to help slaves escape and reach Canada along the 'Underground Railroad'. Quilts were strategically placed on fences and clotheslines in such a way as to showcase certain quilt blocks Those blocks were indicators of whom to approach or which direction to take on their escape route. The Monkey Wrench quilt block represented the blacksmith. (Side note: the block was named for the inventor of the tool -- a London blacksmith by the name of Charles Moncke).

You might also be interested in this quilt block ~ Underground Railroad

Monkey Wrench quilt block

Using the colours shown in this sample block as an example, you might envision a quilt for a special man in your life. (Also, the quilt block represents a "blacksmith" -- a very manly occupation.) :-)

The two sample quilts shown below, both use on point settings. As you can see, you can achieve very different looks while using this simple quilt block.

Quilts designed using the MONKEY WRENCH quilt block

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Quilt Blocks for Mother's Day

In North American (and hopefully elsewhere around the world), the second Sunday in May is a special day to celebrate mothers.

Mother's Day was originated by Anna Jarvis in the early 1900s. Anna had even copyrighted the day. However, she was quite appalled at how the day she had originated as a tribute to her own mother, took on the life of a commercial venture, which continues to a far greater scope today.


Here are three different quilt blocks that you might enjoy sewing -- perhaps as a tribute to your own mother. Check out each of the pages by clicking on the images to see sample quilt layouts for each quilt block.

_{P.S. It's a little early, but Happy Mother's Day to my Mom, up there over the rainbow.}

Mother's Choice quilt block

Mother's Own quilt block

Mother's Favorite quilt block

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Blueberry Compote quilt block

The quilt block called Blueberry Compote is a quick and easy one to construct. It uses only squares and half square triangles.

My first block was designed using only three colours, but I thought it was a little drab, so I decided to add the bright orange --the complementary colour to the blue. By using a little of this colour, it gives the block just the spark it needed. (However, if your goal is to create a more subtle colour palette, then the choice on the left is the one for you.)

Blueberry Compote quilt blocks

Below I have used both blocks to create the sample quilts. The first selections show the quilt blocks set side by side in groupings of four blocks. Rotations by 90 degrees of some of the blocks in each group, results in a quilt with a secondary pattern appearing.

Quilts designed with the BLUEBERRY COMPOTE quilt block. Side by side block setting

This second set of quilts uses the quilt blocks set on point. Several blocks are also rotated to once again utilize the directional nature of the blocks, and create an entirely different quilt design.

More quilts designed using the BLUEBERRY COMPOTE quilt block. On Point block setting

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Auntie's Puzzle quilt block

The Auntie's Puzzle quilt block is a simple five patch featuring squares and half square triangles. Those are the first patches you will learn to use as a beginner quilter, and that is because these are the most commonly used units in quiltmaking.

Auntie's Puzzle quilt block

After having described this block as a five patch, I then change it up because my personal preference for constructing the block is as an uneven nine patch simply because I like to work with "chunks" rather than in rows. (However, if you prefer to work in rows, then that is perfectly fine as well.)

The Auntie's Puzzle quilt block is also a "member" of a group of blocks that are directional in nature. This opens up all sorts of interesting ideas for quilt designs by rotating some of the blocks by 90 degrees, which often results in creating a secondary pattern. If you look closely at the quilt shown on the left you will see "stars" forming when using groups of four blocks. Switching up the colour options and/or including an additional colour can make this feature stand out even more.

Quilts designed using the AUNTIE'S PUZZLE quilt block

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Baton Rouge Square quilt block

The Baton Rouge Square quilt block is a favourite of quilters for two reasons.

• Firstly, it is a 10" block and that makes for easy math. (But if this size is not for you, I have also given instructions for two other block sizes.)
• Secondly, it is an easy quilt block to sew as it is constructed using only squares and a few half square triangles. This makes it a wonderful choice for a beginner quilter -- and -- as an addition to your collection of quilt blocks reflecting cities and places.

Baton Rouge Square quilt block

For some, the name Baton Rouge Square brings to mind the capital city of Louisiana. However, I was drawn to the word "rouge" which means "red" in French. Since red is my favourite colour, how could I not use it in this block?


Using red as the background colour in the block, I also played around with a variation of the two remaining colours -- black and grey -- and switched them up, using both versions in the resultant quilt shown on the right. This just adds an additional bit of interest to the final quilt.

Quilts designed using the BATON ROUGE SQUARE quilt block

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Best Friends quilt block

The Best Friends quilt block has a lot of pieces -- but -- it is well worth the effort to make as it then lends itself to some amazing quilts as a result.

Best Friends quilt block

(A Side note is that the block contains only squares, rectangles and half square triangles -- easy peasy!)

If you have been following this blog for any length of time, you know that I like to make the construction part as simple as possible. So, as is often the case, I have designed this seven patch block to be constructed in an easier manner (at least in my opinion) -- as an uneven nine patch.

The two sample quilts illustrated below both use an on point setting. But -- could they look any different? (Maybe so, and that is where your design skills come into play!).

Quilts designed using the BEST FRIENDS quilt block

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Odd Fellow's Chain quilt block

The world wide emblem of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows -- three chain links -- represents the values of Friendship, Love and Truth -- or the "chain" that binds the Members together.

This quilt block is the representation of this group, first founded in England in the 1700s and evolving in the United States in 1819. The IOOF became the first fraternity in the United States to include both men and women, in 1851.

Odd Fellow's Chain quilt block

This quilt block is not intended for a beginner quilter. This is not because it is difficult, but instead due to the large number of patches in the block. However, if you are up to the challenge, there is nothing difficult in this block. You just need to be very conscious of sewing a precise quarter inch seam allowance in order for all of those pieces to fit perfectly. My method constructs the block as an uneven nine patch (easier, in my opinion) rather than sewing this eight patch in eight rows of eight.


The two sample quilts illustrated show off the quilt blocks in very different ways. The quilt on the left adds large triangle corners to each block thereby increasing the size of the quilt blocks but also enhancing them with extra colour. The quilt on the right sets the blocks side by side and this creates a subtle secondary pattern if you look closely. There is no end to the possibilities for your own personal quilt.

Quilts designed using the ODD FELLOW'S CHAIN quilt block

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Quilt Blocks for the Irish in you

St. Patrick's Day is fast approaching and perhaps you want to start a quilt for the occasion. (Okay, it won't be ready until next year if you start now -- but there is no better time than the present.)

These four quilt blocks will give you lots of ideas for that quilt. Use one or all of them. That is the beauty of quilting -- you decide how it all goes together.


First up is Danny Boy -- a beautiful Irish ballad. Some believe the song was meant as a father's message to a son going off to war. It was first recorded in 1915. Perhaps this quilt block might be fitting for a veteran in your life.

Danny Boy quilt block

Irish Puzzle is a four patch quilt block that will give you lots of practice making half square triangles -- in two different sizes.

Irish Puzzle quilt block

We have all heard of the "luck of the Irish" so, what better block to choose than Lucky Clover? This simple quilt block is comprised of only squares, rectangles and flying geese patches. Of course, once again I went with the obvious green for most of the fabric choices.

Lucky Clover quilt block

Lastly, the Connemara quilt block requires a little more work in that it uses more patches in the block. However, none of those patches are difficult so the block is well worth the effort to make.

 
A side note - Connemara is a region in Galway, Ireland and is known since ancient times for its green marble (one slab can contain over forty shades of green). This marble is used for a multitude of things from countertops to jewelry.

Connemara quilt block

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