Tag Archives: quilt block

Magnolia Bud Quilt Block Part 2

I finally made the time to play with the Magnolia Bud quilt block on point. Truthfully, it was hard to get motivated because I wasn’t interested in this block. Turns out that I had fun with it. I may revisit it with some other blocks, such as a basket block, or two, sometime in the future.

Magnolia Bud Quilt Block

You can find examples of the Magnolia Bud block in a straight set by clicking here, or hover over the Quilt Blocks tab in the header and click on M – R.

Here is the Magnolia Bud set on point:

Magnolia Bud On Point Set

Sweet, but maybe too boring for some of us.

When the blocks are rotated, stars come out to play:

Magnolia Bud On Point Set

Add some color and play with value:

Magnolia Bud On Point Set

That may be a bit too flashy for some of us, but that’s okay.  We can keep playing anyway.

Let’s rotate some more:

Magnolia Bud On Point Set

Ummmm…not my thing, but maybe appealing for some of you.

What if we added four patches to the Magnolia Bud block?

Magnolia Bud On Point Set

I like the subtle background interest that created.  Do you?

How does it look if we add an accent color to the four patch?

Magnolia Bud On Point Set

Let’s simplify and see if we like that better:

Magnolia Bud On Point Set

I like it!

Maybe you won’t like your first try at quilt design.  Maybe you won’t like your second, or third either.  Maybe you’ll like the fourth try.  Don’t stop there; your fifth, or tenth, might be the best (or worst) yet.

Just have fun!  Don’t take it all too seriously.  Do this for you…not the Quilt Police!

Twinkling Star Quilt Block

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

Twinkling Star Quilt Block

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:

winkling Star Straight Set

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:

winkling Star Straight Set

Now I’m not so bored with it.

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

winkling Star Straight Set

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?

winkling Star Straight Set

I like it!

Next, I tried mixing in a chain block.

winkling Star Straight Set

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.

winkling Star Straight Set

winkling Star Straight Set

Have a blessed happy new year full of wonderful times of creativity!

Almanizer Quilt Block Part 2

I am showing designs using on point quilt layouts with the Almanizer quilt block.  To see straight set designs, click here.

I am showing a limited number of fabrics/colors.   So much more could happen when attention is given to very scrappy vs. controlled color; to value placement; and to scale of the fabric prints.

The Almanizer quilt block:

Almanizer Quilt Block

Here is how the Almanizer looks when set side-by-side in an on point layout:

Almanizer On Point Set

The same setting as above but the red has been removed from some of the blocks, creating a diamond shape in the center:

Almanizer On Point Set 6

I should have left two red centers for a true diamond shape!

In the next layout, a couple of the blocks have been rotated.  The design has also been opened up by replacing some of the blocks with Snowball blocks.  Now there is room to show off some quilting!

Almanizer On Point Set 7

Here is what happens when we take the first layout, rotate the blocks, and add sashing and cornerstones:

Almanizer On Point Set 2

The next design shows the Almanizer quilt block with a pinwheel drawn in the center of it:

Almanizer On Point Set 3

Next, the Almanizer block is alternated with a star block.  I drew the star block by adding lines to the Almanizer block.  It is similar to the popular Ohio Star.

Almanizer On Point Set 4

Adding the Snowball block lightens up the design, and the star has become the star of the quilt:

Almanizer On Point Set 8

Which design do you like the best?  Or perhaps, you’ll play, and come up with one of your own?