| Quilts and quilt designs are created by combining | | | | more complex, you can take some of the square |
| blocks. By changing the shapes of the pieces within a | | | | patches in the blocks and divide them in half from |
| block (i.e., substituting triangles for squares) and/or | | | | corner to corner (commonly called half-square triangles |
| changing the placement of the colors of the pieces (i.e., | | | | in the quilting world), and create a star design. Using the |
| switching light fabric for dark fabric), you can create a | | | | same half-square triangles and square patches, by |
| whole new quilt design while keeping construction of | | | | simply placing the fabrics in a specific design, your |
| your quilt the same.Simple is the name of the game for | | | | checkerboard or square turns into a basket, or leaf |
| many quilters. Using one or two shapes for all of the | | | | shape, a bow tie shape, or even a series of |
| pieces in your quilt makes it easy to sew; and squares | | | | diamonds.Add complexity to your design by increasing |
| and triangles offer many advantages in terms of | | | | the number of colors in your quilt, and your design |
| simplicity. As a beginning quilter, making the sewing | | | | changes once again. And all of those design changes |
| simple gives you the opportunity to focus on learning | | | | can be created by using only three basic shapes - |
| and practicing basic quilt making techniques that you | | | | squares, half-square triangles and quarter-square |
| will use as you develop your craft.Interesting variations | | | | triangles.Quilts are amazing works of art that have |
| in quilt blocks are achieved through placement of the | | | | survived the test of time, and will continue to do so as |
| fabrics in addition to how each patch is divided. A | | | | long as there is fabric and quilting imagination.Happy |
| simple nine patch quilt block can be used as an | | | | Quilting!Penny Halgren is a quilter of more than 24 |
| example of how different a block can look just by | | | | years who seeks to interest new quilters and provide |
| changing the placement of colors within the nine | | | | them with the resources necessary to create beautiful |
| patches of one block.Using only two colors of fabric in | | | | quilts.Visit and sign up for our free newsletter and |
| alternating squares creates a design like a | | | | e-course "The 7 Most Common Quilting Mistakes and |
| checkerboard. With the same nine patch of two colors | | | | How to Prevent Them." Resources on the site also |
| of fabric, using only square patches in each block, you | | | | include free downloadable quilt block patterns and |
| can create a pattern that looks like a big X in your quilt. | | | | Quilting Articles to help you learn to quilt. |
| Thus, the Irish Chain, and variations of it.Getting a little | | | | |