BOW #26: Slanted Diamonds

I have to confess that I have never made this block "for real," but I'm having fun playing with it virtually--and it means I'll probably have to make a quilt with it!   It's easy to make, using the ever popular HST (Half Square Triangle).

You'll need 3 HSTs each of 3 color combinations; for a 12" finished square you'll need:

(3) 4-1/2" HSTs, Color 1/Color 2 combination
(3) 4-1/2" HSTs, Color 2/Color 3 combination
(3) 4-1/2" HSTs, Color 1/Color 3 combination

Arrange them as shown:

Wasn't that easy?  You can make multiple blocks and put them together, without any turning of the blocks, and get a look something like lightning.  Might be an interesting border:

Or, you can keep turning 45 degrees and make a pinwheel out of 4 blocks:

And, you can keep putting those pinwheels together to make a very graphic design:

Yes, I just may have to make one of these.....maybe scrappy look; 3 colors but in scraps.  (That's a big surprise from me, eh?)

Enjoy!

Tip #6: Alternate Plain Blocks

Cherie asked about fabric requirements for the plain alternate blocks. You can see what they'll look like in the "w/Plain" layout option, but what about fabric needs? Here's a tip: use the Patch library, choose the Square shape, set the size, and there you have your plain alternate block!

Scrappy Spinning Spools

Did someone mention a scrappy Spinning Spools block? Here is an example from BlockFab-HD.

BOW #25 Spinning Spools

 We made the Spool block in BOW #3; this week we're going to turn it on its ear--and join it with some other spools in the thread drawer.

To make a 12" finished Spinning Spool block, you'll need (where would be without HSTs?):

(16) 1-1/2" Half Square Triangles, light/dark 
(8) 1-1/2" x 4" light rectangles
(8) 1-1/2" x 4" dark rectangles
(4) 4" dark squares

Arrange and sew 4 of the HSTs, 2 dark and 2 light rectangles, and a dark square as shown:













Repeat to make a total of 4 spools (each will measure 6-1/2" square at this point

Turn the spools to make them "spin," and sew together into the block.

I won't suggest again that this would be great in scraps, because you all know by now that I think most blocks look good when made with scraps.  You could make this one with a different color for each of the 4 spools, and use the same combination in each block of a quilt.

I like the spool block, and I very much like the spinning spools because it looks more like the spools in my house--they're sometimes in a bit of a jumble!

BOW #24 Bear's Paw #2

Wow.  Time really got away from me this week!  Sorry to be so late with this!    Let's revisit the Bear's Paw, with a little different arrangement.  This block will be a single paw, with a large Half Square Triangle as the "palm" of the paw.

What would we do without the Half Square Triangle (HST)??    (For instructions on HSTs, see BOW #1--Bear's Paw #1) For a 12" finished block you will need:

(1) 8-1/2" light/dark HST
(4) 4-1/2" light/dark HST
(1) 4-1/2" square

Arrange as shown:

This is somewhat close to a Maple Leaf block and would look good with scraps. (But then, what do I think DOESN"T look good in scraps?)  It would also be nice in a classic 2-color blue-and-white or red-and-white quilt.

And it seems like it could make a nice "guy" quilt if it were done in dark (navy blues and browns?) and light (beige/tan) plaids.   Hmm.  I do have all those plaids saved up in my stash....

Have fun!

BOW #23 Courthouse Steps

Courthouse Steps is one of those versatile blocks that can be arranged in different ways for very different effects, or can be pieced with various widths of strips that change the effect.

For a 12" finished block (shown here in a sampler quilt--more from this quilt later) you'll need:

Dark:
(1) 3-1/2" square
(2) 2" x 6-1/2" strips
(2) 2" x 9-1/2" strips
(2) 2" x 12-12" strips

Light:
(2) 2" x 3-1/2" strips
(2) 2" x 6-1/2" strips
(2) 2" x 9-1/2" strips

With right sides together, sew the light 2" x 3-1/2" strips on opposite sides of the dark 3-1/2" square.  Fold back and press.

Sew 2" x 6-1/2" dark strips on the opposite sides of the dark square.  Fold back and press.

Continue to alternate light and dark strips on opposite sides, always folding back and pressing after sewing each seam.

MK: As a variation, you could start the first round with the dark strips, rather than the light strips: that is how it is shown in the BlockFab library. You can easily try out both versions by just changing the color of the center square. Personally, I prefer Karen's arrangement.

Here's a small "scatter quilt" that holds my TV remote; a simple Courthouse Steps with Flying Geese on both ends.   The center square in this Courthouse Steps is smaller, proportionally, than in the block in the sample quilt. (I tend to adjust the size of the center square to help me get the finished dimension I want without having to do odd measurements for the strips.

Courthouse Steps doesn't have quite the arrangement versatility that the Log Cabin block (coming up in the future) has, but you can still try out a variety of arrangements:  light sides next to light sides, light side next to dark, or alternating.  It can create some very nice movement in a quilt.

You know that I love scrap quilts, so that's one of my first choices for a CS, but you can make quilts with scraps from a given color palette.  I made a small quilt for my sister Rita to carry with her when she traveled (she traveled a lot) so she could have a little piece of home comfort. (Unfortunately, it was stolen from her hotel room.)  The fabrics were all different but they were all in the mustard and deep red colors.  Your have many, many options with this block.

Have fun with it!