Peony and Forget Me Not quilt block

Well, I am a little late. The royal wedding this past weekend revealed two interesting things and each had a subtle role in the big day.

• Meghan's favourite flower is the Peony - used in the floral arrangements at St George’s Chapel
• Diana's favourite flower was the Forget Me Not - included in Meghan's bridal bouquet

How fortunate that this quilt block is a tribute to both of those flowers -- The Peony and Forget Me Not.

Peony and Forget Me Not quilt block

The Peony and Forget Me Not quilt block is a wonderful choice if you want to make a larger block, hence less blocks to make. This block is not a choice I would make as a beginner quilter, but if you like a challenge, there is nothing difficult in the making of this block -- just lots of pieces, and therefore, precision in your sewing is critical. So, go for it!


The two sample quilts illustrated below both use on point settings, but give entirely different looks to the final project. Will you choose one of these or create an original design of your own?

Quilts designed using the PEONY AND FORGET ME NOT quilt block

<sub>All images © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com

This website uses cookies. By using the services and products of this website, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more ...</sub>

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

<sub>All images © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com

This website uses cookies. By using the services and products of this website, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more ...</sub>

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

<sub>All images © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com

This website uses cookies. By using the services and products of this website, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more ...</sub>

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

<sub>All images © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com

This website uses cookies. By using the services and products of this website, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more ...</sub>

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

<sub>All images © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com

This website uses cookies. By using the services and products of this website, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more ...</sub>

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

<sub>All images © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com

This website uses cookies. By using the services and products of this website, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more ...</sub>

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

<sub>All images © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com

This website uses cookies. By using the services and products of this website, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more ...</sub>

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

<sub>All images © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com

This website uses cookies. By using the services and products of this website, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more ...</sub>