Broken Dishes is a traditional patchwork quilt block made entirely with half-square triangle units. The blocks in this quilt finish at 6" square, a nice small scale for a baby quilt or wallhanging. Overall, the quilt measures 36-1/2" x 42-1/2".

The Block Party is a monthly Quilting Forum event. It's a bit different from a regular quilting swap, where you exchange blocks with other quilters on a one-by-one basis. Instead, every block you make goes into a pool, and at the end of the month winners are drawn (at least one, but hopefully more if there are enough blocks). Each block you make counts as one entry for the drawing -- make five and your name goes "in the hat" five times (five chances to be chosen).

You'll find guidelines in a couple of places. In the pattern and in the Forum discussion. Taking part in the forum discussion is required if you plan to participate in the Block Party, but you can of course use the pattern to make a quilt for yourself.

The illustration shows one of many potential layouts for twenty-five Endless Stairs quilt blocks.

We're working on the 2010 New Year's Day Mystery Quilt. I'll be updating the instructions throughout the day. If you haven't started yet -- it isn't too late. Jump on over and join the fun. Also -- members are talking about the project in the Quilting Forum.

Illinois Roads is made from two different quilt blocks, the traditional patchwork Illinois Road and a variation of the Calico Puzzle design. The pattern helps you make the square quilt sewn here, but it's easy to switch to a rectangular layout if you like. The quilt is perfect for a scrappy layout that uses bright fabrics for the small pinwheel-like units in the Illinois Road block.