Tag Archives: star quilt blocks

Sister’s Choice Quilt Block Part 2

Posted on May 30, 2017 | 4 comments

In a previous post, I shared some quilt design options with the Sister’s Choice block, using straight set layouts.

I think it is fun to play with on point layouts as well.

You never know; you might prefer a design on point.

So here is a layout with the Sister’s Choice block and sashing:

The same layout, but a different colorway, and some plain blocks added:

The next few layouts show the Sister’s Choice blocks where some have lines deleted, and some have lines added, to create alternate blocks to play with.

For the lover of quilting designs, it is always nice to have open, or negative, spaces to fill.

For the fun of it, see what happens when you play with the background:

I am sure you can come up with many more ideas; especially when you also play with color/value and border combinations!

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Tagged Electric Quilt, EQ7, LCsCottage, Nancy Martin's Perpetual Calendar, patchwork, quilt design, Sister's Choice, star quilt blocks

Sister’s Choice Quilt Block

Posted on May 16, 2017 | 9 comments

Let’s explore the Sister’s Choice Quilt Block.

The block is a traditional favorite.

Sister’s Choice is drawn with a 5 x 5 grid.

Here the blocks are set in a straight set with sashing:

I’ve moved the color a bit, and that puts more emphasis on the stars:

Let’s look at some straight sets without the sashing.

The next one not only has the sashing removed, but the alternate blocks have some additional lines drawn. The result is a star within a star.

More alternate block experimenting:

Delete quite a few lines in the alternate block, and it opens up the entire design…great for the quilting lovers!

Moving blocks around, as well as adding and deleting lines from the original block (Sister’s Choice in this blog post), creates interesting designs.

Let’s not forget about color (most importantly…value). Changing values creates completely different looks!

When designing your next quilt, take time to experiment with the block’s grid (adding/deleting lines to create alternate blocks), as well as value placement.

You will come up with a winner (or several)! And have fun doing it!

I use Electric Quilt 7 for quilt designing. Block Base is another great tool. Sister’s Choice is #J008 in Block Base. A pad of graph paper and colored pencils work well too!

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Tagged Block Base, Electric Quilt, EQ7, LCsCottage, Nancy Martin Perpetual Calendar Blocks, patchwork, quilt blocks, quilt design, Sister's Choice, star quilt blocks

Arizona Quilt Block

Posted on October 11, 2013 | 3 comments

Let’s take a look at the 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:

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?

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.

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!

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.

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.