Wednesday March 17, 2010
This 15" version of the Wishing Ring helps you make a large quilt in no time at all. Blocks this size are versatile, and can be used for bed quilts, throw pillow covers, medallion quilts and more. I've included yardages and instructions for a Wishing Ring quilt -- focal blocks are alternated with Snowballs.
Sunday March 14, 2010
Greek Cross quilt blocks are all about color value. You can dramatically alter their appearance by shifting value positions within the block. I've included drawings to illustrate some of the differences, and included a quilt suggestion, along with yardages and extra instructions, of course. Such a simple block, but one that can be either traditional or dramatic, depending on your fabric choices.
Janet Wickell
Saturday March 13, 2010
Bonnie Scotsman is assembled with straight grain bars and squares -- no stretchy bias edges to deal with, and that means it's definitely a beginner-friendly patchwork quilt block. You'll find instructions for assembling it one patch at a time, which is perfect for scrappy quilts, and also a strip piecing option for anyone who wants to make a batch of identical blocks.
I've included two layout suggestions for 35 blocks (plus yardages), but many more arrangements are possible for this versatile design.
Bonnie Scotsman finishes at 10-inches square.
Wednesday March 10, 2010
Dutchman's Puzzle is an all-time favorite traditional quilt block. I'm showing an example of a quilt here, rather than the block itself, because this pattern's color value arrangement is split vertically, and deviates from the norm, with a dark background in one half of the block and a light background in the other. The pattern walks you through the construction of two quilt blocks, and although they have the same components, they're sewn together in different ways.
Make 35 blocks to assemble a strippy-set quilt like this example (the pattern includes yardages). It's also a very good pattern for scrappy blocks (and a heads-up to Forum Block Party participants -- you might see this again at some point).
ŠJanet Wickell