Tag Archives: BlockBase

Balance

Posted on March 10, 2014 | 12 comments

If you haven’t met the quilt block called Balance, then let me introduce you.

I found this block in Nancy Martin’s Perpetual Calendar 365 Quilt Blocks A Year.

I drew it with a 5 x 5 grid in Electric Quilt . If you own BlockBase, it is #1817c.

It isn’t often that one sees a green and white quilt (I don’t think I’ve ever seen one…I may have to google that later), but it is March, and I’m longing for spring, so I’ve set this block with green and white.

Here is how it looks in a straight set:

In the following design, I’ve deleted a few lines from the block to create an alternate crossing block to set Balance with. I’ve also added another green to the mix.

I squared up the quilt design (it isn’t longer than it is wide now) and rearranged the blocks:

Again, Balance is set side-by-side. The only difference is in the color placement. Stars have appeared!

An alternate color theme:

By deleting just a few lines, I’ve created another alternate block to add to the mix:

And one more arrangement:

Lots more could be done with this block, so go ahead and play with it! See what you come up with!

By the way, this block looks amazingly like Bachelor’s Puzzle.

12 Comments

Posted in Uncategorized

Tagged Bachelor's Puzzle, Balance, BlockBase, Electric Quilt, green and white, LCsCottage, Nancy Martin Perpetual Calendar Blocks, patchwork, quilt design, quilting

Anvil Quilt Block

Posted on September 6, 2013 | 10 comments

I’ve been playing with the Anvil Quilt Block.

I drew it with a 4 x 4 grid.

If you have BlockBase, it is #2645, but it is not difficult to draw, and is good practice.

Here is what the Anvil quilt block looks like set side by side in a straight set:

Still side by side in a straight set, but the colors have been changed up. Some of the blocks are rotated as well:

Still using only the Anvil block, the next design looks like arrows:

I like it!

Adding sashing strips does make the quilt larger (a popular technique), but I don’t find it very exciting:

I have added a plain block, and a variation drawn from the Anvil quilt block, to the next design. I find this a lot more interesting:

Two more designs:

Which is your favorite? Why? Which is your least favorite? Why?

We’ll see what playing with the Anvil quilt block on point turns up next week.

10 Comments

Posted in Uncategorized

Tagged Anvil Quilt Block, BlockBase, Electric Quilt, LCsCottage, patchwork, quilt blocks, quilt design, quilting

Alpine Cross Quilt Block Part 1

Posted on July 12, 2013 | 7 comments

Using Electric Quilt , I am playing with the Alpine Cross quilt block this week.

It is drawn with a 5 x 5 grid.

For the practice, I prefer to draw it myself, but if you have BlockBase, then search for #1876a.

Here is what Alpine Cross looks like in a straight set:

I thought I added a great border. Now I think it is too distracting. I’d change that if I were going to make this quilt design. LOL!

Next, I added sashing and cornerstones.

I like it much better.

What if I move the color around?

Take the time to play with color and value placement. I should’ve changed the color of those cornerstones. Sometimes moving color and value around makes all the difference between an okay design, a good design, and a great design. And more often, it is simply a matter of personal taste.

You can change the color scheme altogether too. I tried to choose a woodsy, masculine theme for this exercise. The pink is really needed to create the contrast (although a very light beige or white would’ve worked very well). Keep contrast in mind when you are choosing color and value.

I also kept the fabric choices to a minimum, just for simplicity’s sake. One could certainly get very scrappy if one wanted to.

I deleted some lines in the Alpine Cross block, to come up with an alternate block. It simplified the design and I like it. Some of the blocks are rotated too.