Pick a Quilt Block
A quilt is not just a blanket to cover your self with; it is a piece of fabric art. Whether you plan to use the quilt as bedding, display it as a wall hanging, or use it on a sofa or settee, you will want to feel a connection to the design of the quilt block, and you will want to enjoy the colors and dimensions of the pieces in it.
Originally, quilts were made to use up left over fabric scraps and to make use of still good portions of old clothes. The simplest patterns were used. One of the easiest quilt blocks to make is called a nine patch. It is simply that, nine patches sewn together. Often it will be a solid plus a complimentary print, or two coordinating fabrics either patterned or solid. For a large piece like a blanket, first one nine patch will have five squares of patch A and four of patch B. The block next to it will have five squares of patch B and four of patch A. They will be sewn side by side in a checker board effect. Choose a nine patch quilt block if you like simplicity and prefer a quilt that is not too “busy” looking. Generally a nine patch is set in orderly horizontal and vertical rows.
You may choose a quilt block that has a particular connection or meaning to you. Quilt blocks like the Maple Leaf, and the Pine Tree are emblems of different countries and states. The Rocky Road quilt block has also been known as Rocky Road to California or Rocky Road to Kansas and would be fun to display if you lived in one of those states.
Quilt blocks may follow a motif on a large scale, for instance, the Bear’s Paw can be worked as a twelve inch block, or it can be worked as three inch blocks, set together in a set of four with sashing. Again, the size of motif you choose for a quilt block will depend on where you will be using it. A large scale pattern needs to be set in a room that has similarly sized prints.
If you are choosing a ready made quilt block, look for one that features the same basic colors that are in the room where it will be displayed and has the same color values. You might not want to put a quilt that has flame orange and sunflower yellow in a room that otherwise features pastel pink.
Star quilt blocks are an example of more intricately pieced patterns. They often feature diamonds, trapezoids and triangles to assemble into points in the star. You may choose a more complicated quilt block to show off on a solid, one color surface, so that the details in the block do not compete with the background.
Choose something that you really like when you choose a quilt block. It is a piece of fabric art, so choose colors and shapes that make you feel good when you look at the finished product.