Tag Archives: patchwork

Gentlemen’s Fancy Quilt Block

I have been practicing my EQ7 skills by working my way through some of the blocks from the Nancy Martin’s Perpetual 365 Quilt Blocks A Year Calendar.

NM Calendar

* I could just as easily have chosen any other block based book or source to practice with.

For this week’s quilt block, I’m playing with Gentlemen’s Fancy.

NM Gentlemen's Fancy

This could be drawn with a 3 x 3 or 6 x 6 (easier) grid.

* Clicking on any of the photos will show a larger view.

Let’s see what the Gentlemen’s Fancy quilt block looks like in a basic straight set with borders.

Gentlemen's Fancy Straight Set

And with some sashing and cornerstones added. 

Gentlemen's Fancy Straight Set 2

Or paired with an alternate block, in this case, the Basic 4X.  Some of the 4X blocks were rotated.

Gentlemen's Fancy Straight Set 3

A simple half-square triangle block was used as the alternate block in the next design. 

Gentlemen's Fancy Straight Set 4

It’s amazing what a simple block can do!

Now, for comparison to the straight set, let’s see what the Gentlemen’s Fancy quilt block looks like turned on point.

Gentlemen's Fancy On Point Set

 I like it better with the sashing and cornerstones included.

Gentlemen's Fancy On Point Set 2

In this last design, notice the one little color change in the Gentlemen’s Fancy block?

Gentlemen's Fancy On Point Set 3

It makes a big difference.  So does placing a plain block here and there.

Which design do you like?

Fireflies Quilt Block

For this week’s quilt block, I’ve chosen to show Fireflies.  It is based upon a 4 x 4 grid.

Fireflies

Clicking on any of the photos will show a larger view.

Here is the what the Fireflies quilt block looks like in a basic straight set with borders.

Fireflies Straight Set

I think it is very unappealing.  But what if I rotated some blocks?

Fireflies Straight Set 2

I like that much better!

Add some sashing and cornerstones perhaps.  It does make it easier to see which blocks were rotated.

Fireflies Straight Set 3

And what does the Fireflies block look like when paired with an alternate block?

Fireflies Straight Set 4

I like that even better!

The next setting is the Fireflies quilt block set on point.  It isn’t as unappealing as setting the blocks side-by-side in a straight set.

Fireflies On Point Set 4

Setting triangles give the eye a place to rest.

Fireflies On Point Set 3

And again, rotated and set with sashing, but still in an on point setting.

Fireflies On Point Set

When you are intrigued with a quilt block, take the time to visualize it in a variety of settings and with alternate blocks.

Play with value and color too.  You may come up with exciting surprises!

For the record…I am not a pink and blue gal.  I wouldn’t make any of these designs in the above colorway.  But if I keep experimenting, I may come up with something that I really like.

Fifty-Four Forty or Fight Quilt Block

Today, I am showing the Fifty-Four Forty or Fight quilt block from Nancy Martin’s Perpetual Calendar collection of blocks. 

Fifty-Four Forty or Fight is drafted from a 6 x 6 grid.

Clicking on any of the photos will show a larger view.

Here is the what the Fifty-Four Forty or Fight quilt block looks like in a basic straight set with borders.

Fifty-Four Forty or Fight Straight Set

The following design alternates Fifty-Four Forty or Fight with the Snowball block.  I love using the Snowball quilt block in designs because it gives the illusion of curves.

Fifty-Four Forty or Fight Straight Set 2

Next, I’ve designed with another alternate block, the Basic 4X.

Fifty-Four Forty or Fight Straight Set 3

And this design uses a big half-square triangle block as an alternate.  With a little simple rotation, large stars can be seen in the background.

Fifty-Four Forty or Fight Straight Set 4

It is worth the little extra time to try out a few simple alternate blocks, rather than just putting a quilt top together with one main block.

Have a look at the Fifty-Four Forty and Fight blocks placed on point:

Fifty-Four Forty or Fight On Point Set

Sashing and cornerstones separate the blocks, making it easier to see them.  The sashing also adds another design element.  Sashing can be filled with other blocks to create a new design, but I’m keeping it simple here.

Fifty-Four Forty or Fight On Point Set 2

And again, using the Snowball quilt block as an alternate:

Fifty-Four Forty or Fight On Point Set 4

This last one uses a simple plain block as an alternate.  And I like it.

Fifty-Four Forty or Fight On Point Set 5

Which is your favorite?