Welcome! I have been anticipating my stop on Quiltmaker’s 100 Blocks Blog Tour and I am so glad you here today. If you are new to my blog, my name is Yvonne and you can read a little bit about me here.
I am so honored that my block, Four Way Block, is included in this issue of 100 Blocks along with so many other designers I admire.
I like to create block designs that interact to create secondary patterns, and a traditional block grid layout shows how the “ears” of the flying geese come together to create a star or economy block pattern.
Four Way Block – Traditional Layout Quilt
Removing some of the blocks from the layout and filling in the space with more background fabric creates a more modern layout option while still retaining some of the fun block interaction and secondary design attributes.
Four Way Block – More Modern Quilt Layout
One of the features that gets lost a little in a three color way design is the arrow shape within the center of the block. I named the block “Four Way” after these four arrows and the cardinal directions (North, South, East, and West).
Four Way Block – Recolored to Highlight Cardinal Directions
The cardinal directions are often associated with colors, which vary from culture to culture and region of the world. The colors associated with North, South, East, and West typically are typically natural colors instead of primary colors (reference: Cardinal Direction via Wikipedia).
Cardinal Directions – Traditional Quilt Layout
With the block recolored to mimic the Cardinal directions, a traditional layout becomes perfect for a scrappy quilt.
Cardinal Directions – Modern Quilt Setting & Modified Blocks
But by re-imagining the block color placement even more, a very modern take on Cardinal Directions can be made using negative space and selective color placement.
Giveaways
Prize 1: The editors at Quiltmaker are sponsoring a giveaway for a copy of 100 Blocks Vol. 15 and they will mail the magazine directly to you anywhere worldwide.
Prize 2: I also have a copy of 100 Blocks Vol. 15 plus a printed version of Bundle Buster, my most recent printed pattern that is fat quarter friendly. This giveaway is open to everyone (international included) and will be shipped by me.
The giveaway will run through Friday, May 5th and close at Midnight Eastern. Use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter to win.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
I hope you have enjoyed the 100 Blocks blog tour this week at Quiltmaker’s blog, Quilty Pleasures . To see all of the creative and original blocks in this issue, 100 Blocks Vol. 15 is available on the newsstands now or you can order 100 blocks from Quiltmaker to see other great blocks included in this issue.
I really love the traditional feel of the block, but how easy it is to twist it and add interest. I love seeing design processes and color placements, and secondary designs are so cool. congrats!
reillyr2(at)hotmail(dot)com
Great block. I didn’t see the arrow until you pointed it out with the four colors. Thanks.
Nice design and congratulations!!!!!!!
I love the block and how the layout change, makes the 3d arrow! Perfect project for my 9 year old son 🙂 Congrats on the publishing of your block!!!
Love the directional one and, yes, that would be adorable with scraps (keepinfg background neutral and squares the same color throughout!) You could use all your coral/peach/pink scraps for points and use navy for squares and then a choclate for the background….or turquoise…oh mercy…brain at 500 mph…haha
I love how you made colorful arrows in one quilt design.
Nice
Love your block – so vivid!!! Thanks for sharing it!
I have difficulty deciding on the colour of a project so it usually takes me quite a while to start a project. I love scrappy projects cos I do not need to decide on a colour but use all colours in my scrap bin.
Love your block! How cool to be in this magazine!
What a great block. I liked the first version a lot, but found all the variations you showed even more interesting. I like how versatile it is: that it can be quite tradtional or very modern.
Yes, selecting colors is often a stumbling block, but depending on the pattern can also be a really fun challenge for me. Your block is so versatile. I love the versions where the arrows are dominant.
A simple block is always fun way to play with color. Thanks for your idea.
A lovely design! Congratulations!
Great block! I tend to buy fabric first and then try to decide what I am going to make out of it. I guess that is the wrong way of doing things but I get there eventually
Fun block! I like to sew scrappy quilts with lots of color. The fabric choice is also decided by person I’m making the quilt for.
Nice block design. I do have trouble as I want to use them all and can’t seem to narrow down my choices. I could play with fabric for hours. kthurn@bektel.com
I do have a hard time picking colors, I tend to stay with the colors I like. However, I just realized that I like blue. Participating in swaps where people state their colors they like.
What a fun block you’ve done…and congratulations on getting published. As far as colors go, I tend to go through spurts of colors that inspire me. I’ve been into greens, blues, and lavenders; however, I’m headed into a phase where my next set of projects seem to have grays, blacks, and browns in them. Quite the difference in color palette.
great block. Loved the way you brought out the arrow.
Awesome block! I love all of the different renderings, the design is so versatile.
So much trouble choosing fabrics. I get all wound up.
Would love to win a copy of this magazine. Thanks.
What a great modern block. Love how you highlighted the arrows.
Love the color combos that let those arrows shine! I love picking fabrics, but it takes me forever!!
I have more trouble picking a pattern to go with colors or fabrics that have inspired me.
I am always second guessing myself so picking fabric can be a huge hurdle for me.
Picking out the colors is one of my favorite things in quilt making and designing!
bjkaup(at)abbnebraska(dot)(com)
Nice block! Versatile
Loving this Rally almost as much as loving your inspiring block . Congratulations on being chosen