Tag Archives: patchwork

Aunt Mary’s Double Irish Chain Quilt Block

Posted on January 10, 2014 | 5 comments

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

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:

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:

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:

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.

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

Do you?

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Tagged Aunt Mary's Double Irish Chain, Electric Quilt, EQ7, LCsCottage, patchwork, quilt blocks, quilt design, quilting

Twinkling Star Quilt Block Part 2

Posted on January 3, 2014 | Leave a comment

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

Here it is in a simple on point design:

And with the addition of a low contrast traditional block:

Lots of room to show off some beautiful quilting!

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

I’m not crazy about it. Are you?

How about this next one?:

I like it!

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

I think that one is my favorite of this set.

One more:

Which do you like the best?

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

Twinkling Star Quilt Block

Posted on December 27, 2013 | 7 comments

I really like this week’s choice, Twinkling Star, from Nancy Martin’s Perpetual Calendar 365 Quilt Blocks A Year.

I drew it from a 3.5 x 5 x 3.5 grid.

Even though I really like this quilt block, I had a difficult time getting inspired and original with it. I don’t know why.

Here is how Twinkling Stars looks set side by side in a straight setting:

I find it boring.

I’ve altered the block a bit and set the new block, along with a low contrast traditional block, and the Twinkling Star in a new straight set design:

Now I’m not so bored with it.

Another design, but I think the red stars overwhelm Twinkling Star:

It might be worth exploring if I changed the size of those red stars.

What if I darken the color and alternate Twinkling Star with a different traditional block?

I like it!

Next, I tried mixing in a chain block.

My low contrast might be too low contrast. I’m influenced by my friend Judy, the Virtual Quilter. She uses a low contrast technique frequently for her backgrounds, and I like how it looks.