Tag Archives: quilt blocks

Spinning Tops Quilt Block

This week, I played with the Spinning Tops quilt block; also from the Nancy Martin’s Perpetual Calendar.

Spinning Tops Quilt Block

Spinning Tops is drawn with a 5 x 5 grid.

Get ready for bold color!

Spinning Tops set side-by-side in a straight set:

Spinning Tops Straight Set

A little space was created by eliminating the four inner squares of the block and using this variation as an alternate with the Spinning Tops:

Spinning Tops Straight Set 2

Again, creating an alternate block by eliminating elements from the Spinning Top quilt block:

Spinning Tops Straight Set 3

Spinning Tops set on point:

Spinning Tops On Point Set

Yet another variation set in the center and then surrounded by the Spinning Tops blocks:

Spinning Tops On Point Set 2

The black in the corners is very bold.  Perhaps too bold and overpowering for an already bold design.  I think I’d break that up a bit.

Here is one possibility:

Spinning Tops On Point Set 3

I don’t like it.  Maybe I should’ve left the color in the border. 

Fortunately, Electric Quilt makes it easy for me to try lots of options!

Ozark Trails Quilt Block

This week, I am showing the Ozark Trails quilt block.

Ozark Trail Quilt Block

It is drawn with a 5 x 5 or a 10 x 10 grid.

Two color quilts are very traditional and wonderful.

Ozark Trail Straight Set

But it is so much fun to add more color!  Here is the same block with sashing and cornerstones added:

Ozark Trail Straight Set 2

How about rotating the alternate blocks?

Ozark Trail Straight Set 3

Or moving the color around and adding an alternate block?

Ozark Trail Straight Set 4

Setting a block on point will often present a totally different and surprising look.

Ozark Trail On Point Set

It is the same block in the center; but the color has been moved around:

Ozark Trail On Point Set 2

And one more:

Ozark Trail On Point Set 3

Which is your favorite?

One Union Square Quilt Block

What can be done with just one block?

  In this case the Union Square Block.

One Union Square

It is drawn with a 6 x 6 grid.

And this is what it looks like set side by side in a straight set:

One Union Square Straight Set

I like it because the blocks form a secondary design where they meet…more stars.

Many times sashing and cornerstones are added to the design.  While this allows one to see the individual blocks (and is an easy way to make a quilt larger for that larger bed), the secondary design is lost.

One Union Square Straight Set 2

What happens when we add lines to the Union Square quilt block?

Now we have more to look at!  It ‘feels’ more energetic.

One Union Square Straight Set 3

What happens if lines are deleted from the block, and we use the variations together?

One Union Square Straight Set 4

I like it!

Let’s add a plain block to the mix.

One Union Square Straight Set 5

I like it more!

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