Art Gallery Fabrics - The Creative Blog

Hello everyone, Laura here :)

So lately I have wanted to do a block tutorial for those who are constantly searching for block ideas and especially those who are now entering the wonderful world of quilting. The color grey and its popularity have inspired me to create the tutorial for a simple and modern block.

For this specific block I used three of our Pure Elements: Ash grey, Fresh Water, and White Linen, combined with the Serenade Daylight fabric from the Poetica Collection. This

combination is just an idea, but the combination options are infinite. You can choose which fabrics and colors you prefer in order to give it a feel that accommodates to your liking. Perhaps you can choose pink tones for a girly block or brown tones for a warmer, let’s-sit-by-the-chimney, kind of block. Make this one or make your own, just have fun!

This tutorial makes a 12.5" block.

CUTTING

(4) 4 ½” x 2 ½” rectangles of the Ash fabric

(4) 4 ½” x 2 ½” rectangles of the Serenade Daylight fabric

(4 of each color) 2 ½” x 2 ½” squares of the White Linen and Fresh Water fabrics

(2) 12 ½” x 2 ½” rectangles of the Serenade Daylight fabric

 

To make this block:

• Lay out your pieces before you start sewing in the way they would look at the end. I find it helpful to work from this layout as I sew- it’ll be far less likely to get your pieces mixed up.

• Begin on top with the 4 ½" x 2 ½” Ash rectangle, sewn to the Serenade Daydreaming (right side to right side), and then attach the other Ash piece:

• Press seams open:

• To this piece attach one of the 12” strips of Serenade Daydreaming. Set aside.

• Now you will grab all the 2 ½”x 2 ½” squares of White Linen and Fresh Water. Sew them in pairs alternating colors until you have 4 pieces, each piece consisting of 2 squares.
• Grab one of these pieces, and with the white square on top, attach it to one of the Serenade Daylight 4 ½” x 2 ½” rectangles lengthwise.
• Attach another solid piece to this, with the blue square on top, then another one with the white one on top so that the colors match diagonally.
• Attach another Serenade Daylight rectangle, and finish this strip with the last solid white and blue piece, making sure the blue square is on top.

• You can now attach the previous strip to the strip created on step 1, sewing it on the side of the 12 ½” Serenade Daylight strip. Now attach another 12 ½” strip on the other side, and to finish the block, apply the “final” strip also created on step 1.

• Press the block well.

This is the finished block on the design wall:

 I created a few digital color options for this block. To better show you what I mean regarding how the feeling of a block can change by just switching the fabric selection I made a mini mood board too.

Here is the original block:The soft tones in this block have a sophistication that appeals to a classic woman who likes modern details.

Now some other options:

Vibrant pinks and purples transform this block into a young, fun, and feminine one for a girl with a bright personality.

And of course an option for the bohemian souls:

The deep and earthy tones used in this block make it perfect for the free-spirited. They are warm, calm, and inviting- ideal for an autumn afternoon.

I hope this was an easy and fun idea to make. You can always create your own blocks, and please share them as everyone at Art Gallery Fabrics (and in the whole quilting world) would love to see them!

Rock & Sew !

<3 Laura