Churn Dash Sampler quilt

Block layouts can also be used as the background for a sampler quilt. In this case we had nine blocks from monthly quilt guild projects and used them in a Churn Dash block with border.

Sampler Quilt 2011 - Week 3 - Churn Dash

A classic block, the Churn Dash uses half square triangles, squares and two-patch squares. Use a background fabric and an accent fabric for your block.

A Churn Dash calculator  is available for different size and number of blocks for your own project.

Other Friendship block layouts

You can use the Friendship block as the basis for a watercolor quit layout. I'm working on one using 256 - 2" squares and half square triangle units. Fusible grid interfacing will make layout and sewing easier plus once you get it laid out the way you want it, fuse the squares to interfacing and you won't have to worry about something or someone rearranging your them.

Sampler Quilt 2011 - Week 2 - Friendship

This week is the "Friendship" block, not to be confused with the "Friendship Star" block. You'll need 5 different fabrics including background and accent fabric if you're doing like me. The instructions for the half square triangle (HST) can be done either with squares or strips. To cut triangles from strips, you'll need a half square triangle ruler or a template.


A Friendship calculator is available for different sizes, number and methods of blocks for your own project.

Show and Tell

Here is the Christmas Tree Skirt I started working on this season. As you can see I didn't get it done for 2010, but it'll be ready for 2011.


It uses 9 fabrics, 5 reds and 4 greens. The 45° diamonds are strip pieced, so it went together fairly quickly and the set in triangles weren't much different than making baskets. I did learn that when sewing set in squares, you just do one side at a time - don't bother to try and turn everything with needle down.


I look forward to making a pattern for this tree skirt and also a table top quilt size.


Jeanne

Bright Hopes - Other layouts

The Bright Hopes block can be used for more than simply a block in a quilt. Break the block pieces up into smaller squares and you can have a scrappy watercolor style quilt with large blocks.

Sampler Quilt 2011 - Week 1 - Bright Hopes

For 48 weeks a new 6" block will be posted each Friday or Saturday to make a throw sized sampler quilt. There will be 1" sashing with complimentary cornerstones and quilt will measure about 43" X 57" before borders. In choosing the fabric for the blocks, I'm going to use a consistent background fabric and 1 accent fabric for each block. Allow about 1/2 yd of both fabrics for all the blocks.