Tag Archives: quilt design

Arizona Quilt Block

Let’s take a look at the Arizona quilt block.

Arizona Quilt Block

It can be drawn with a 6 x6 grid.

Here is how the Arizona quilt block looks in a simple straight set:

Arizona Straight Set

Adding another color/value let’s us explore other design possibilities.  The darker value in the next design shows stars behind a grid.  Do you see them?

Arizona Straight Set 2

Moving the darker value also moves the eye to see stars in the grid, rather than behind the grid.  Yet, the initial design set has stayed the same.

Arizona Straight Set 3

I like to take my block and add, or delete, lines to create variations of the block.  In the following design, I’ve alternated a crossing block with the Arizona block.  I like it!

Arizona Straight Set 4

Sashing can also add a fun creative element to some quilt designs.  In the next design, it looks like there are floating stars.  These are easily made with the sashing and cornerstones.

More interest is achieved as well, by the size difference in the stars.

Arizona Straight Set 5

Color is often the first element that attracts a viewer.  Just because you see a quilt in yellow and white, doesn’t mean that you have to make it that way.  I’ve chosen golds, white, burgundy and black in these examples.  I don’t think they are very popular (although I like them).  Maybe you’d prefer Christmas green, red, gold and white for this one.

Arizona Straight Set 6

Whatever colors you choose to make your quilt creations with, just pay attention to your value placement and have fun!

Anvil Quilt Block Part 2

Last week, I shared a few quilt designs using the Anvil quilt block in straight set designs.

Anvil Quilt Block

This week, I played with the Anvil quilt block on point.

Anvil On Point Set

It is a bit boring to me when placed side by side as in the above design.

How about adding one more color and rotating some of the blocks:

Anvil On Point Set 2

That’s better.

Moving color around reveals a couple of odd shaped stars.  Do you see them?

Anvil On Point Set 3

I love the arrows in the next design, but I’m not a big fan of those floating pink triangles around the outside edges.

Anvil On Point Set 4

Again, moving color around, rotating some blocks, and adding plain blocks to create a sense of space:

Anvil On Point Set 5

I like the stars in the center, and I like the way the design is framed.

I like it without the stars in the center too:

Anvil On Point Set 6

Last…but not least:

Anvil On Point Set 7

Amazing what one can do with one simple block.

Anvil Quilt Block

I’ve been playing with the Anvil Quilt Block.

Anvil Quilt Block

I drew it with a 4 x 4 grid.

If you have BlockBase, it is #2645, but it is not difficult to draw, and is good practice.

Here is what the Anvil quilt block looks like set side by side in a straight set:

Anvil Straight Set

Still side by side in a straight set, but the colors have been changed up.  Some of the blocks are rotated as well:

Anvil Straight Set 3

Still using only the Anvil block, the next design looks like arrows:

Anvil Straight Set 4

I like it!

Adding sashing strips does make the quilt larger (a popular technique), but I don’t find it very exciting:

Anvil Straight Set 2

I have added a plain block, and a variation drawn from the Anvil quilt block, to the next design.  I find this a lot more interesting:

Anvil Straight Set 5

Two more designs:

Anvil Straight Set 6

Anvil Straight Set 7

Which is your favorite?  Why?  Which is your least favorite?  Why?

We’ll see what playing with the Anvil quilt block on point turns up next week.