You’ve played with patchwork and created basic
quilt tops, now it’s the fun part – making blocks
and arranging them into more complex designs
ALL ABOUT
BLOCKS
Once you’ve mastered the basics of
cutting and piecing fabric, you can now
combine shapes to create hundreds (if
not thousands!) of small patchwork
patterns. Gather up a bunch of blocks
and you’re ready to combine them into a
great quilt design. Most blocks are based
on geometric shapes and with our help
you’ll be a block-building pro in no time!
A ‘block’ refers to the finished pieced
element (usually square) that is made up
of different shapes, with a recognisable
finished pattern. A ‘unit’ is what we call
the smaller shapes that combine to make
up the block. For example, Half-square
Triangle units can be used to make
Pinwheel blocks (see page 121 for
instructions).
Start simply with one-patch blocks
(where you repeat a single shape in an
all-over pattern), and then play with
multi-patch groups, using a mixture of
shapes. Experienced quilters combine
shapes to create all sorts of intricate
blocks, from stars to fans to complete
pictures! Two of best blocks to start with
are the Four-Patch and Nine-Patch. Find
out how to make these, along with a few
other beginner blocks, on page 128.Block Sizes
A block can be any size you choose, as
long as you can work out the maths. If
you’re following block instructions in
books, magazines and online, they’ll have
already worked out the measurements for
you. In this chapter, we’ll show you how to
make 8in square blocks. When following
instructions, the block’s finished size is
usually provided. That said, if you’re
planning a quilt with blocks, it’s worth
checking whether the instructions you’re
following describe the finished size of the
individual blocks (with seams) or the size
the block will be once it’s been sewn into
a quilt. An 8in block, once sewn into a
quilt, will end up being 7½in square
because ¼in seams have been sewn on
each side of the block.Adding borders
and sashing
The arrangement and pattern of the
blocks in your quilt design can be as
simple or as intricate as you like! There
are some easy ways to vary the finished
effect, all you need is a bit of planning
and measuring. For a beginner planning a
quilt top made from easy Four-Patchblocks or plain fabric squares, try adding
strips of fabric in between the blocks
(sashing) or around the edges (borders)
to frame your patchwork and help the
fabric patterns to stand out against each
other. It will give you the chance to
practise basic cutting and piecing skills
and you get to play with lovely fabrics!
Quilt borders come in all shapes and
sizes, some with straight edges, some
with mitred corners, some plain and
some pieced. A border can really set off
the blocks beautifully and is a great
chance to show off that favourite fabric of
yours. It’s also a great opportunity to
have a plain section on your quilt top that
you can then dress up with a spot of free
motion quilting (see page 149).Planning your
quilt Setting
You’ll be surprised by how intricate quilt
designs can look once the simple blocks
are pieced together. It’s best to start easy
and work your way up – choose a block
design that you like that’s within your skill
set. There are some simple block tutorials
in this chapter. Why not start simple with
a Nine-Patch block – find out how on01 02 03 04HOW TO ARRANGE BLOCKS IN A QUILT