1. About.com
  2. Home & Garden
  3. Quilting

Learn Needleturn Applique Basics

My favorite applique method is the traditional needleturn technique.

More About Applique
Quilting Spotlight10

Flock of Geese Quilt Block Pattern

Sunday January 29, 2012

Flock of Geese Quilt Block Pattern

Flock of Geese is a traditional quilt block, but its name is a bit misleading. Take a look at the block and you'll see it does not include those popular flying geese units that we often use. Instead, the 'flocks' are made up of half-square triangle units, kind of like geese flying in formation. You can adjust the color value of your patches to make the block appear very different from mine, and you can choose a structured look or go very scrappy with the layout. The Flock of Geese block is fun to play with -- try varying the look from block-to-block in a larger quilt, because I think you'll like that, too.

Patchwork Hearts Quilt Block & Quilt Patterns

Saturday January 28, 2012

heart quiltQuilting Forum members designed this 6" patchwork heart quilt block for a 2008 swap, and are using it again this month. The design is a natural for a Valentine's Day wallhanging and makes a lovely baby quilt. The heart block is assembled with quick piecing techniques, so it's super easy to make. For the swap, a different focal fabric was used in each half of the block (two pinks or two reds), but choose another combination if you prefer. You'll find instructions and yardage for a small heart wallhanging on the last page of the pattern.

Photo © Sophie

Heart in a Snowball Quilt Block Pattern

Friday January 27, 2012

heart quiltsThis vibrant Snowball quilt block is assembled with a white on white interior and purple tips. A red heart is appliqued to the center of the 6" (finished size) block. If you're already into applique, the gentle heart will be a breeze, and beginners will find that it's a perfect first applique project (read my Needleturn Applique Basics for technique how-tos). The block is from a 2009 Quilting Forum event, where it was sewn by numerous members.

Heart Blocks by Sandy

Reverse Capital T Quilt Block Pattern

Thursday January 26, 2012

Capital T Quilt Block PatternThe reverse version of the Capital T quilt block isn't seen as commonly as its counterpart -- where dark fabrics create the diagonal T-shape at each corner. Both blocks are assembled the same way, it's just the color values that are flip-flopped, but the two versions are unique enough that I felt a separate pattern would be a good option for the quilt block shown here. I've included instructions to make the block's flying geese units in a couple of ways -- both are quick-pieced but one technique results in no fabric waste. Choose the method that works best for the fabrics you have on hand. I saw some examples online recently of quilts made using this value layout, but can't locate them now -- the blocks looked wonderful placed on point.

More T Blocks
Capital T with Values Reversed
Single T Quilt Block Pattern

Discuss in my forum

©2012 About.com. All rights reserved. 

A part of The New York Times Company.