Tag Archives: EQ7

Aunt Mary’s Double Irish Chain Quilt Block

I played with Aunt Mary’s Double Irish Chain quilt block this week.

Aunt Mary's Double Irish Chain Quilt Block

I drew it from a 8 x 8 grid, but if you own BlockBase, it is #2342.

Here is how the block looks when set side by side in a straight set:

Aunt Mary's Double Irish Chain Straight Set

This block was a real challenge for me.  I had a creative blockage, and I really fought the temptation to do a google search.  However, I resisted.  I have never yet resorted to looking at how someone else has used a block.  I don’t want the influence…I want to see what I can come up with on my own.  Otherwise, what is the point in playing with blocks?

So, a little rearranging of the values to get those creative juices started:

Aunt Mary's Double Irish Chain Straight Set

Aunt Mary's Double Irish Chain Straight Set

Of course, the design doesn’t have to be a two color quilt (and there are gorgeous traditional two color quilts), and the blues and whites could be scraps of all shades and tints of blue and white.

Or yellow stars could be added to the mix:

Aunt Mary's Double Irish Chain Straight Set

It isn’t hard to add the lines to the Aunt Mary’s Double Irish Chain block to create the stars, but they can be found in Electric Quilt’s block library.  I found a crossing block to play with too.

Aunt Mary's Double Irish Chain Straight Set

One more…again moving the value around…just to see if I might like it better:

Aunt Mary's Double Irish Chain Straight Set

Do you?

Twinkling Star Quilt Block Part 2

Last week I showed the Twinkling Star set in straight set designs. 

Twinkling Star Quilt Block

Here it is in a simple on point design:

Twinkling Star On Point Set

And with the addition of a low contrast traditional block:

Twinkling Star On Point Set

Lots of room to show off some beautiful quilting!

I drew an alternate block and used it in this next design:

Twinkling Star On Point Set

I’m not crazy about it.  Are you?

How about this next one?:

Twinkling Star On Point Set

I like it!

I also like using a chain block with the Twinkling Stars:

Twinkling Star On Point Set

I think that one is my favorite of this set.

One more:

Twinkling Star On Point Set

Which do you like the best?

Keep trying those ‘what if’s’.  One, or more, of them could be your winner!

Christmas Tree Quilt Block

I played with the Christmas Tree quilt block this week.  I chose it from Nancy Martin’s Perpetual Calendar 365 Quilt Blocks A Year.

Christmas Tree Quilt Block

I easily drew the block from a 6 x 6 grid.

Here is how it looks set on point in a quilt design:

Christmas Tree On Point Set

And here is what happens when the blocks are rotated:

Christmas Tree On Point Set

I like it!

How about adding a group of friendly snowman:

Christmas Tree On Point Set

The snowmen will look cute when they are embellished with thread and buttons!

I found the applique shapes in Electric Quilt’s library.  I did alter them a bit, but EQ sure makes designing so much easier!

One more:

Christmas Tree On Point Set

I need more contrast, but otherwise I’m happy with the designs.

Merry Christmas to you and your families!