Quiltmaker’s 100 Blocks: All Angles #1364

QUOTE FROM MY FRIDGE:

“We are what we repeatedly do.  Excellence, then is not an act, but a habit” Aristotle

All Angles
All Angles

This Block is made from two easy to piece units.

Little Cedar Tree
Little Cedar Tree
Hourglass
Hourglass

In my book Simple Strategies for Scrap Quilts one of the strategies I suggest is to use a common background with what I call “related fabrics”.  When I use the term “related fabrics” I don’t mean the new collection from one manufacturer  that just arrived in your local quilt shop.  “Related fabrics” can be 1930s’ reproductions, batiks, Civil War, plaids, polka dots, bright children’s prints and just about anything else similar enough to group together.

For this block I used my collection of Civil War fabrics with a common background (Olde Townhouse by Paula Barnes for Marcus Fabrics).  The background is lighter than all of the other fabrics.  I have made quilts using bright children’s prints with a black polka dot background.  The background can be light or dark.  You just need contrast to create a clear pattern.

I love playing with different sets for a block.  Maybe one of these will inspire you.

quiltmaker-all-angles-2

Straight set with sashing and red corner stones.  The red corner stones act as a center creating an alternate pattern.  I always find this interesting.

quiltmaker-all-angles-1

On point with sashing.  This gives you a larger quilt with fewer blocks.  If this quilt hangs in a show the diagonal lines will catch the viewers eye.

all-angle-with-snowball

This quilt appears to be on-point but it is really a straight set with an alternate snowball block.

quiltmaker-all-angles-w-alternate-block

Another straight set with an alternate block.

120 thoughts on “Quiltmaker’s 100 Blocks: All Angles #1364”

  1. I love scrap quilts and using the “controls” you suggest can make really nice quilts. Sometimes though I just put things together and let them do the work and if the scraps are small they usually work well.

  2. I enjoy seeing your block in different settings and like it set on point with sashing the best. Thank you for the chance to win.

  3. Nice block! I’m looking forward to getting a copy of Quiltmaker’s 100 Block magazine as I love seeing all the different blocks.

  4. Thanks for sharing the different sets for using your block, I like your block, it looks hard until you break it down. I need your book Simple Strategies for scrap quilts. I need help deciding how to use My stash of assorted fabric.

  5. Hello Lynn,
    The hourglass block is awesome and I see what you mean about related fabrics and contrast. I’ve been hanging onto this bright print collection for just that special quilt and you just inspired me to select my background. The iron is warming and I’m ready to press and then cut. Thank you

    1. Obviously I also love scrappy quilts. I have been making them for 25 years. I took a class from Sharyon Craig and knew that was what I wanted to do.

  6. congratulations. what a fun block. I love civil war fabrics also. my son has been reenacting since he was 13. 19 years now. and my husband has been there with him. my son has been everything but a general. my husband is a Chaplin

  7. Thank you for breaking down the block into 2 parts. That definitely makes it easier! Congratulations on being chosen for the magazine!

  8. Great block set!! I think I would like this made up in my scrappy blues with a beige background or even a pale blue background to make it all blue!!

    1. Sounds good!! If you do it I would love a photo. If you are only using two colors the beige could also be scrappy. Just be sure all of the blues you use are darker than all of the beige fabrics.

  9. I am usually drawn to ‘traditional’ blocks, so your setting with the sashings and red cornerstones captured my attention. It is a nifty block, and I love your civil war reproductions use.

  10. Very helpful tips to making a scrappy quilt more “together”. I like the striking diagonal sashing on your 2nd example.

  11. It is amazing how one block’s look can change just by alternating it’s position or color. It was fun to see all the possibilities. It is fun to use a computer program like EQ where you have endless fabrics, colors, where a block like yours can shine. Thank you so much for sharing your talent with us.

  12. I love this block and your use of reproduction fabrics. Thanks for sharing several setting options. I like them all, but esp. the on point quilt. Nice job!

  13. This is a great block, I love scrappy! I enjoy seeing all the various layouts too, gets me inspired to play around with blocks.

  14. Your block to me looks like a great scrape quilt “T” of the civil war era. I would be fun to make in red, white and blue for the wonderful USA I live in. Thanks for sharing and your quote. May we all try to do our best.

  15. I like the block set on point, or the layout which is last that shows the alternate block. This is perfect for scrap quilting – you can make the parts of the block with leftovers from other quilts and then put the pieces together to make the block. Fantastic.

  16. I don’t many civil war print, but I do have a huge collection of 30’s prints I’d like to make a dent in. Thanks for showing all the different layouts– it helps to see the possibilities.

  17. Scrappy isn’t really my thing. I like your block alternated with the snowball block. I think it would look great in shades of blue or green with white snowballs.

  18. LOVE the block! I really like both quilt designs with the alternate block. The timing is perfect I’ve been staring horrified at three large bags of scraps trying to think of something to do with them…I think I’ve found that something. Thank you!

  19. At first glance yours is a complicated block. But your post breaks it down into such manageable parts. Thank you. kathleendotlutzatcomcastdotnet

    1. I always cut the hourglass blocks oversize and then trim them. The standard is to add 1 1/4″ to the finished size. I add 1 1/2″. So for a 4″ finished size I would cut the squares 1 1/2″. Spray starch will help with the bias edges. Spray the squares and let them dry before you cut them.

  20. This really lends itself to “scrappy”, but would still be effective with a controlled palette as well. What would happen if there was no sashing at all in a straight set and no other intervening blocks?

    1. I did a version with no sashing. On the computer it seemed to loose the pattern. If you sew the blocks side by side there will be many angled seams coming together. The sashing makes it easier to piece a smooth flat top. I would press toward the sashing so that you are not folding triangle points. The quilt will be much scrappier if the blocks are sewn in a straight set. If you do it send me a picture.

  21. I get lots of donated fabrics for my many charity projects– scrap quilts are my go to blocks…this looks like a keeper, especially if you consider the name :) Thank you.

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