Yet another block that is constructed from quadrants that are then pieced together. This block is in the Bear Paw/ Maple Leaf family except that the smaller half square triangles are attached to another half square triangle unit rather than a whole square.
What looks like a complicated block is really just flying geese units and rectangles. This block is made in four quadrants and is a variation of the Dutchman's Puzzle; instead of two flying geese units making up each quadrant it is one rectangle and one flying geese unit unit, the colour placement here is the important thing with one portion of the sky of the flying goose a different colour to the other. Since flying geese units use seams that are on the bias and prone to stretching this is an intermediate block.
This is the tale of a quilt which relies only on colour placement. All the "pixels" are 2 and a half inch squares which were cut on my Accuquilt cutter. First I cut strips then turned these 90 degrees and cut into squares. Total cutting out time was about one and a half hours for 750 squares.
The quilt was "netted" together. To do this take column two and place column one on top, chain piece from the first to last "pixel" down the column, only then cut thread. Add all of column 3 onto column 2 - again chain piecing and so on for all the other columns. The quilt is then turned 90 degrees and the rows stitched together (matching the seams as you go). I found this so much easier than going row by row and getting the rows out of order......
Anyhow here is a summary of how it all went together.
Made from whole squares and half square triangles this is next up from a beginners block. The half square triangles should be squared up after piecing to match the whole squares. It also uses eight half square triangles in each block so it is an ideal candidate for using the "easy eight" method to make eight half square triangles at a time.
If the blocks are mounted edge to edge then a pattern of interlocking pinwheels and four patches is formed. If you use sashing with corner stones and sashing strips you end up with interlocking nine patches and windmills.
This block is made entirely from half square triangle units and as such is a beginner/intermediate block rather than an absolute beginner block because of all the bias seams. Since these stretch I like to square the blocks as I go. It is also an ideal candidate for the "Easy Eight" method of half square triangle making since it can use eight of each colour combination to construct the block.
The blocks shine best when set edge to edge to allow the secondary triangle pattern to form.
This block uses simple subunits that are pieced into a quadrant and then finally put together into a block. Sometimes the quadrant is called Jewel Box instead. The block is usually set edge to edge rather than with settings to allow the secondary patterns to form. It is also an ideal quilt to make from scraps built up over time as it uses simple nine patch and half square triangles that are the same size, I use four patch enders and leaders during other projects (an idea first heralded by Bonnie K Hunter) and so I have a stash of these simple subunits on hand.
Perhaps the optical illusion quilt block that everyone knows. This block uses four colours plus a background and depends on careful colour placement to work.
To draft this block first start with a nine patch grid.
In the centre square add diagonal lines to make a quarter square triangle.
Each of the four corner squares get turned into half square triangles
Each of the side squares are made from one half square triangle and two quarter square triangles. To show this first draw a line diagonally to make the half square triangle side.
For the quarter square triangle side of the side squares place the ruler as though you are going to draw a line diagonally from corner to corner in the opposite direction but only draw the line from the outside edge to the diagonal line previously drawn.
The Quilt Codex shows how to make a single block here
Jenny Doan from the Missouri Star Quilt Company makes a variation here that is an 82x93 inch quilt using jelly roll strips
Although this block looks simple (four quarter square triangle units mounted together) it uses a lot of bias edges, this means it is prone to stretching if your not careful. You have been warned!
Drafting is easy start with a two by two grid.
Draw diagonal lines so that each square is divided into four diagonally.
Here is a video by quilt codex for a single block
and here the quilt behind is the Big Dipper block set on point with sashings.
Arkansas Crossroads is a four patch block that uses four patch and hour glass subunits. It is not symmetrical as a block which means that when repeated in a quilt design the layout can give lots of variations based on chevrons, diagonal lines and diamonds. Such blocks are best when set edge to edge rather than with sashing between the blocks.
To draft the block start with a four by four grid.
Four of the squares need to be turned into half square triangle units to make hour glass subunits.
like this
These subunits are placed in the top right and bottom left quadrants.
Fabric Junction did a You Tube video on a single block for a pot holder
Castle In The Air is a nine patch block where all of the square subunits have been swapped for other pieced units. It is an advanced sewers block.
The four corners are Half Square Triangles
The centre square is a square with a square
The four side pieces are a mixed unit with quarter square triangles on one half and half square triangles on the other -one day I'll find the proper name!
For those of you who want to make your own block and choose the size here is how to draft the block - the grid is the finished size of the subunits (i.e. minus the seam allowances). If the idea of maths puts you off then skip to the bottom of the post for the links where someone has done the work for you 😀
In order to draft the Castle In the Air block first start with a nine patch grid.
The central square is a square within a square subunit. The diagonal lines are formed by joining the centre of each side of the square with the centre of the adjacent side.
For each of the side squares draw a diagonal line to turn it into a half square triangle - make sure these all go the same way (similar to a friendship star)
Draw a line from corner to corner in the other diagonal from the outisde towards the centre BUT stop at the previous diagonal line - don't go all the way to the centre.
Nice though this looks on it's own for the final touch we need to turn the outside squares into half square triangles.
The new album is a nine patch block. To draft this block first start with a nine patch grid.
For central square join the centre of the top side to the centre of right hand side. In practice this is formed by snowballing the corner of a larger square.
Do the same with the opposite corner from left hand side to bottom side.
For each of the corner squares divide in half horizontally and vertically to make a 2x2 four patch in each corner. Rub out two of the lines to leave just the corner closest to the middle square.
Finally add the half square triangles in the four corner squares by drawing lines diagonally edge to edge.
Here is a video from Fabric Junction on how to construct the new album block
This block can be made from jelly rolls and minicharm squares but will give the best optical illusion when you use yardage.
The block is made up from four identical subunits. These consist of two squares the same size and a rectangle which will be the same height but twice the length when finished. Kind of reminds me of a corner log cabin but with only one round...
So for example
We have five accent colours and a background colour.
For one block cut:
four squares x 2 1/2 inches of the background colour
From each of the other colours cut one 2 1/2 inch square and one rectangle 2 1/2 x 4 1/2 .
This will give a block that is 8 inches when finished.
Set edge to edge for optical illusion to work.
