Welcome back! We are now on to block 7 in this sew along. You can still join in. All the patterns are free throughout. If you missed any of the weeks, here are the links to each blog post: Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5 and Week 6. This week, I will share some interesting thoughts and tips on one block quilts and making them as dazzling as samplers. So lets get started!
2022 BOW Block 7 – Swing in the Center
The instructions to make the block are found here: 2022 BOW Block 7. This block will allow you to practice the stitch and flip technique a lot! I covered this technique earlier in the week 3 post if you need a review.
This block, first appearing in 1897’s LAC, is also known by the names Mrs. Roosevelt’s Favorite, a name given by Clara Stone in 1906 and Roman Pavement, given by Nancy Cabot in 1938. And those aren’t the only two names! Others are Ladies’ Wreath (1943) and Eight Hands Around (1932). That’s about all I could find in relation to this block. If you have more information, feel free to share!
One Block Quilts
One block quilts are great because once you make one of the blocks and it measures correctly, it’s all smooth sewing from that point on. The cool thing with one block quilts is you can make them pop by playing with the colors used in each block. This week’s block even changes depending on where you place the color prints. Here’s a few examples:
Interesting! You can actually take the same block design, shift around where you have the color prints and tans and it looks completely different! That’s one way to make a one block quilt look like it has a variety of blocks.
Here’s one of my quilts, Marbles & Jacks, where I used the same block in a straight row setting but alternated the background between black and tan and also alternated color prints.
Two other ways to jazz up one block quilts are to add a fun pieced border or add sashing between blocks to create a secondary design. The quilt on the left, Star Wheels, is one where the blocks are all the same, just various color prints and it’s framed by a unique pieced border. The quilt on the right, Open Windows, makes a one block quilt interesting by adding sashing to create a secondary design and also flipping alternating blocks to make another pattern emerge.
An on point setting is another way to add interest to a one block quilt. Below is my quilt pattern, Stepping Stones, that has the blocks set on point and I’ve added appliqué around them to make it more unique.
To sum up, one block quilts can be just as exciting as a quilt with several different types of blocks. Other than making the blocks in an assortment of color combinations, jazz them up with pieced borders, sashing or appliqué!
Well, that’s it for this week. Enjoy creating this fun block and join me again next week. Let me know if you have any unique one block quilt ideas. Comment or ask questions throughout this series. At the end, I will have a grand prize giveaway. This will include my book, two of my newer patterns, some fat quarters and sewing scissors!
Until next week… Happy Quilting!
Deanne
I really like this block! I’m learning so much from each blog post every week. One day I’ll gain enough courage to really play with color and I think I’ll just do in with a one block quilt. 🙂
I’m a few weeks behind making the blocks but hopefully can catch up this week. I got hit with Covid and then my husband got it (he still has it!). Hopefully, all will return to normal very soon!
Get well soon!
Your quilt designs are beautiful. I’m visiting your blog after your presentation and trunk show at our Pine Tree Quilters Guild meeting today. I plan to be a regular! Thanks.
Welcome! I’m glad you enjoyed the trunk show today!
Thanks again for another pretty block. I am learning a lot about color combinations and how contrast of colors can create such pretty blocks! Hopefully some day I’ll get more confident with colors!
Love Open Windows. Have to add it to my list to do.
I can’t tell you how much I am enjoying learning block making 101! The history of the blacks themselves, the tried and true tricks that make for accurate piecing and lessen my stress have been invaluable. This was very interesting to see how one block can produce so many different end results with relatively minor changes. I love reproduction fabrics, but can see how any block could work with the fabrics a quilter prefers and produce a very personal version of the same block. Sometimes the change in fabrics makes it unrecognizable to me. Ty for the time you put ito these weekly posts, I look forward to them
So happy that you are enjoying this BOW! I have fun doing this and sharing tips so everyone has a relaxed and happy experience when they quilt. 🙂