Block Combinations
Simply Quilts : Episode QLT-825 -- More Projects »
Quilting expert Alex Anderson and guest Claudia Olson offer these tips for design formulas that make the best use of block combinations.
- Draft two block designs from scratch or visualize a combination of two blocks with a computer-aided drawing software.
Stay with the basics. If quilting with a four-patch block repeat primary and secondary variations of the four-patch block throughout the quilt (figure A) (same for five-patch, etc.).Add more interest to a primary block by adding a simple block along the corners. A large dark triangle for instance creates a star design in the quilt.
Look for a diagonal connection between two blocks. Look for pieces that are adjacent and where a diagonal line continues throughout the quilt (figure B). Wait to consider the quilt's border after the quilt center is complete. Repeat the basic elements from the secondary pattern in the border for an eye-catching quilt design.Here are a few examples of quilts incorporating primary and secondary block patterns:
The Kansas Windmill quilt combines a Kansas block and a Windmill block.
The Pine Burr Star quilt blends a pieced star block with a Pine Burr block and a four-patch block.
This quilt combines a Next Door Neighbor block with a Diamond Girl block.
The Churndash Memories quilt blends a Churndash variation block with a Memories block.
The Swallow Star Path quilt combines star points that lead to a diagonal connection to a stepping stone block with diagonal variation.
![PHOTO](javascript:popup("http://img.hgtv.com/HGTV/2003/01/14/qlt825_1a_basicquilt_e.jpg",350,450))
![PHOTO](javascript:popup("http://img.hgtv.com/HGTV/2003/01/14/qlt825_1b_diagonalconnection_e.jpg",350,450))
![PHOTO](javascript:popup("http://img.hgtv.com/HGTV/2003/01/14/qlt825_1c_KansasWindmill_e.jpg",350,450))
![PHOTO](javascript:popup("http://img.hgtv.com/HGTV/2003/01/14/qlt825_1d_PineBurrStar_e.jpg",350,450))
![PHOTO](javascript:popup("http://img.hgtv.com/HGTV/2003/01/14/qlt825_1e_DiamondGirl_e.jpg",350,450))
![PHOTO](javascript:popup("http://img.hgtv.com/HGTV/2003/01/14/qlt825_1f_ChurndashMemories_e.jpg",350,450))
![PHOTO](javascript:popup("http://img.hgtv.com/HGTV/2003/01/14/qlt825_1g_SwallowStarPath_e.jpg",350,450))
