The Basics -- Sawtooth Star

I just finished my Basics Quilt Class.  Here's one of the squares I learned to construct ...
The square:  Sawtooth Star

Why it's a Basic: It's a variable 9-patch construction with flying geese

What I learned: another way to do flying geese

What I like about this square: Everything. The fabric. The new way to do flying geese, also, I was careful with this block and made sure all the birdies heads were pointed to the middle.  

What I don't like: not a lot

Would I do anything differently:  I'm pleased with it.  This is the last square.

The Basics: An Easy Guide to Beginning Quiltmaking by Kathy Delaney

Taught by Barbara R. at the Prairie Quilt Shops

Just a reminder, this unfinished quilt was photographed on an ottoman and may not appear square, but it is!

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The Basics -- Ohio Star

I just finished my Basics Quilt Class.  Here's one of the squares I learned to construct ...
The square:  The Ohio Star

Why it's a Basic: it's a 9-patch construction with quarter square triangles

What I learned: more precise cutting.  I got better after the Dutchman's Revenge

What I like about this square: It felt like a breath of fresh air after that last block

What I don't like:  Do you see it?  Probably you saw it right away.  It took me creating this blog post to catch it.  Yep, on the right side the bow tie is placed incorrectly

Would I do anything differently: Not place the bow tie incorrectly.  Perhaps I'll fix it, or, perhaps I'll chalk it up to a learning experience and move on ...

The Basics: An Easy Guide to Beginning Quiltmaking by Kathy Delaney

Taught by Barbara R. at the Prairie Quilt Shops

Just a reminder, this unfinished quilt was photographed on an ottoman and may not appear square, but it is!

The Basics -- Dutchman's Puzzle

I just finished my Basics Quilt Class.  Here's one of the squares I learned to construct ...
The square: Dutchman's Puzzle

Why it's a Basic:  It's the Flying Geese in a 4-patch construction.

What I learned: Well, if you don't embrace precise 1/4" seams and precise cutting, you'll be cutting more fabric.

What I like about this square: Start at the middle of the block -- work your way out.  Do you see it?  The pinwheel?  That's what I like.

What I don't like:  Without offense to my friends of Dutch descent, I call it Dutchman's Revenge.  It's very tedious and precise.  And it took me 4 hours but I did it.

Would I do anything differently:  A good lesson.

The Basics: An Easy Guide to Beginning Quiltmaking by Kathy Delaney

Taught by Barbara R. at the Prairie Quilt Shops

Just a reminder, this unfinished quilt was photographed on an ottoman and may not appear square, but it is!

The Basics -- Churn Dash

I just finished my Basics Quilt Class.  Here's one of the squares I learned to construct ...
The square: The Churn Dash

Why it's a Basic: Look closely.  Do you see it?  It's a 9-patch.  The elements are half-square triangles and 2/3s of a rail fence.  

What I learned: This square helped me put it all together.  We've been working hard on those silly little squares and then, bam!, the more advanced "basic" squares put them together.  I didn't like the look of the churn dash, then I put this together.  

What I like about this square: The construction. The fabric.

What I don't like: nada

Would I do anything differently: zip

The Basics: An Easy Guide to Beginning Quiltmaking by Kathy Delaney

Taught by Barbara R. at the Prairie Quilt Shops

Just a reminder, this unfinished quilt was photographed on an ottoman and may not appear square, but it is!

The Basics -- Hourglass Pinwheel

I just finished my Basics Quilt Class.  Here's one of the squares I learned to construct ...

The square: Hourglass Pinwheel

Why it's a Basic: Two sets of hourglass squares in a 4-patch design

What I learned: That I haven't perfected the hourglass technique. 

What I like about this square: Start in the middle... work your way out, do you see the pinwheel?  That's what I like.  Also, the fabric.  They're additions to the mix and I love them

What I don't like: maybe it's just this picture, but those pinwheels don't look like they're all right.

Would I do anything differently:  Well, this is the second one I did... it's a little better than the first.

The Basics: An Easy Guide to Beginning Quiltmaking by Kathy Delaney

Taught by Barbara R. at the Prairie Quilt Shops

Just a reminder, this unfinished quilt was photographed on an ottoman and may not appear square, but it is!

The Basics -- Variable 9-Patch with Quarter-Square Triangle Center

I just finished my Basics Quilt Class.  Here's one of the squares I learned to construct ...
The square:Variable 9-Patch with Quarter Square Triangle Center

Why it's a Basic:Remember that Quarter-Square Triangle a few blocks back? well, it makes two sets.  For the second one, we learned how to square our blocks to a different size, this time a 5 inch block.  Once that was done, all one had to do was construct a variable 9-patch -- a skill I'd been working on a lot!!

What I learned:  Tools are your friend! Quilter's rulers have all these lines on them... and now I understand what that diagonal one is all about!  

What I like about this square:  It takes longer to say the name of the block than it does to construct it

What I don't like: nothing

Would I do anything differently: nothing

The Basics: An Easy Guide to Beginning Quiltmaking by Kathy Delaney

Taught by Barbara R. at the Prairie Quilt Shops

Just a reminder, this unfinished quilt was photographed on an ottoman and may not appear square, but it is!

The Basics -- Windmill

I just finished my Basics Quilt Class.  Here's one of the squares I learned to construct ...
The square: The Windmill

Why it's a Basic:When I think of quilting, windmills and whirligigs are what come to mind. Also, it utilizes the same technique as the Half square triangle with a 4-patch design.

What I learned: Look how those eight points come together in the middle.  Genius.  Also, this is the first block I sewed with my new machine. 

What I like about this square: One of my favorite designs

What I don't like: Nothing

Would I do anything differently:Nothing

The Basics: An Easy Guide to Beginning Quiltmaking by Kathy Delaney

Taught by Barbara R. at the Prairie Quilt Shops

Just a reminder, this unfinished quilt was photographed on an ottoman and may not appear square, but it is!