Hunters Star Watercolor Quilt

Here's another way you can have fun with the Hunter's Star block. Each quarter is 16 squares by 16 squares with 8 different fabrics in 2 color or shade groups. If you use 2 inch finished squares (perfect for jelly rolls), you'll have a beautiful watercolor quilt for a table top or as a wall hanging in no time.

I've done a similar quilt in Christmas fabrics - reds and greens - and it was great and very festive.

Happy Quilting,
Jeanne

Fractured Broken Pinwheel quilt

This fractured Broken Pinwheel block split each unit 4 by 4 then uses four color gradients each within three fabric groups. If you use jelly roll 2½ inch strips, you get a block that measures 16 inches finished. Put together more blocks and you'll have a good sized quilt in no time.

For each block...

Color group 1 (yellow): 4 light half square triangles, 4 medium light squares, 4 medium half square triangles and 4 medium squares, 8 dark half square triangles.

Color group 2 (blue): 4 light half square triangles, 4 medium light squares, 4 medium half square triangles and 4 medium squares, 8 dark half square triangles.

Color group 3 (brown): 4 light squares, 8 medium light squares, 12 medium squares, 16 dark half square triangles.

In this example, make 4 blocks using 2½ inch strips, cutting half square triangles from strips using a half square triangle ruler. Add a 1 inch finished border and a 3 inch finished border to make a 40 inch quilt.

Happy Quilting,
Jeanne

Another Fractured Quilt Block

Ribbon Star block is a great 3 by 3 square grid layout block that has "ribbons" that are formed when multiple blocks are grouped together. It's a very simple block that uses half square triangle units and squares.

Fracture A Quilt Block

I absolutely love to start with a basic quilt block, fracture it into smaller pieces and then either make it scrappy, watercolor or gradient. At first I was intimidated by how they were done, but it can be easy and fun.

Take this "Corn and Beans" block with only 2 color or value groups. Divide the 2 squares into half square triangles, then each unit into thirds. You will have a fractured corn and beans block.

Next you choose lots of different fabrics within each color or value group and you get a great new quilt block. You can make it scrappy, or watercolor style or color gradient. Use jelly rolls (2½ inch strips) and this block measures 18 inches square or nickels (5 inch squares) and you'll have a 37½ inch block.

Make 9 of the 18 inch blocks. Lay them out and turn the blocks to even more fun effect. Add a border and you have a 60 inch or so quilt in no time.

Happy Quilting,
Jeanne

Old Windmill quilt block

I've just finished the latest quilt block calculator - Old Windmill - which is entirely half square triangle units. You have the option of making the units with squares or using a right triangle ruler to cut them from strips. Once I learned how to use the right triangle rulers, I was hooked. You no longer have to figure out the weird seam allowances - just add 1/2 inch, cut a strip and cut out triangles.