| Quilt designs are created by combining | | | | can create a pattern that looks like a |
| blocks that have different color | | | | big X in your quilt simply by placing |
| variations. | | | | the colors in a particular position in |
| A block is the basic unit of a quilt | | | | each block. Thus, the Irish Chain, and |
| top. Typically blocks are square. They | | | | variations of it. |
| can be made any size, and frequently a | | | | Adding a little more complexity, you can |
| quilt is made using many blocks with the | | | | take some of the square patches in the |
| same design. They can be pieced | | | | blocks and divide them in half from |
| together from smaller pieces (called | | | | corner to corner (commonly called |
| patches) or could be appliqu? It is also | | | | half-square triangles in the quilting |
| possible that a block could be a solid | | | | world), and create a star design. |
| piece of fabric. | | | | Using only half-square triangles and |
| The smaller components of a block are | | | | square patches, by simply re-arranging |
| called patches. They can be many | | | | the fabrics, your checkerboard or square |
| different shapes - triangles, | | | | turns into a basket, or leaf shape, a |
| rectangles, squares, diamonds, or curves | | | | bow tie shape, or even a series of |
| - but the idea is to sew patches | | | | diamonds. |
| together so you end up with a square. | | | | Another type of triangle that is easy to |
| By changing the shapes of the patches | | | | make is a quarter-square triangle. That |
| within a block (i.e., substituting | | | | triangle is made by cutting a square |
| triangles for squares) and/or changing | | | | patch into half-square triangles, and |
| the placement of the colors of the | | | | then cutting the half-square triangles |
| pieces (i.e., switching light fabric for | | | | in half once more, thus creating four |
| dark fabric), you can create a whole new | | | | small isosceles triangles. |
| quilt design while keeping construction | | | | You can add complexity to your design by |
| of your quilt the same. | | | | increasing the number of colors in your |
| Simple is the name of the game for many | | | | quilt, and your design changes once |
| quilters. Using one or two shapes for | | | | again. What once was a black and white |
| all of the pieces in your quilt makes it | | | | checkerboard can transform into a block |
| easy to sew; and squares and triangles | | | | that looks like the letter H. |
| offer many advantages in terms of | | | | Your block can look like it is |
| simplicity. As a beginner quilter, | | | | 3-dimensional by using specific colors |
| making the sewing simple gives you the | | | | in designated places. |
| opportunity to focus on learning and | | | | And all of those design changes can be |
| practicing basic quilt making techniques | | | | created by using only three basic shapes |
| that you will use as you develop your | | | | - squares, half-square triangles and |
| craft. | | | | quarter-square triangles - plus a little |
| Interesting variations in quilt blocks | | | | imagination in the placement of your |
| can be achieved through placement of the | | | | colors. |
| fabrics in addition to how each patch is | | | | As you sew your blocks together, they |
| divided. | | | | can look completely different. For |
| A simple nine patch quilt block can be | | | | example, you could take blocks of two |
| used as an example of how different a | | | | simple half-square triangles, place them |
| block can look just by changing the | | | | in columns, alternate the direction of |
| placement of colors within the nine | | | | the cut of the triangle, and create a |
| patches of one block. | | | | quilt that looks like columns of |
| Using only two colors of fabric in | | | | zigzags. Using the same blocks, placing |
| alternating squares creates a design | | | | them so all of the diagonals are facing |
| like a checkerboard. With the same nine | | | | the same direction, your quilt could |
| patch of two colors of fabric, using | | | | look like an old-fashioned scrap quilt. |
| only square patches in each block, you | | | | |