Drafting for the Creative Quilter

DESIGNINGWITHINTRADITIONALBLOCkS 89

Line drawing of Asian Influence

Once you have a design you love, create your shapes,
measure the new shapes, make templates, or, if they
are ruler-friendly sizes, rotary-cut shapes (add 1/4 ̋ seam
allowance to all sides of each shape before cutting).
Then create a color map using the rough-cut mock-up
and mirror technique (page 91). Once you love the color
and fabric placement, it’s time to sew!

Use blue tape to create a

45° wedge.

Actual size fabric mock-up of

1/8 of design in place on wedge;

place mirrors on edge of fabric

to see whole block.

Mock-up with mirrors to see whole Asian Influence design

Asian Influence, 50 ̋ × 50 ̋, designed and pieced by the author;

machine quilted by Lois Russell of San Diego, CA.

As you can see, 8-pointed stars are beautiful in and of

themselves, but many are also suitable for redesigning.

Designing on an overall grid or redesigning within tra-

ditional blocks are both simple and effective approaches.

I encourage you to try for yourself. Even a small change

in any block will nudge your creativity. The following

are just some of the benefits of taking the time to design

your own blocks:

„ Create more of a challenge for yourself.

„ Advance your creative skills and gain design

experience.

„ Learn new skills.

„ Create more visual interest and detail in your work.

„ Love your work when it’s finished, with no guesswork!

There are many ways to change a design. You can add

shapes, eliminate shapes, or change shapes. Don’t forget

to add appliqué if that’s what you love. Appliqué would

be perfect for the center octagon in the Feathered Star

block. There is no risk—you have nothing to lose and

everything to gain. Do not concern yourself with how

you will sew, just design freely and enjoy the process.