How do I make this into a 12 1/2 X 12 1/2 (unfinished) block? HELP!!
 

My son was in the Air Force and now works at Cape Canaveral as a civilian. I want to make him a quilt. I want to have it reflect the air force and his current job. I have this panel that I would like to use. Once I cut out the blocks to use, they will be 7 1/2 X 7 1/2. Any suggestions on how to make these into 12 1/2 X 12 1/2 size? That is the size I need for the quilt I want to do. I will also have some other blocks too.

I would just add a 3" border around each block.

Thanks gotthebug. What kind of dog is in your avatar?

You could make half square triangle blocks to frame some of the blocks or do them like an attic window design to enlarge them. or using the pictures as a center, make a log cabin type frame around them.I bought a panel with large rose designs inside a log cabin design with the "logs" 1 inch wide, so that would be three different fabrics on each side. I actually used 12 different fabrics to frame each square. Then I made regular log cabin blocks with larger "logs" to make a block the same size as the picture blocks. It turned out really nice.

Thanks gmcsewer. Great ideas.

Square in a square blocks?

Hard for us to suggest, when we have no clue as to what your planned quilt is.

My first thought was attic windows, using the AF logo colors of blue and grey, maybe add one of his name tapes and the USAF tape somewhere on the front. Thats a great panel selection for his new job. You could use a dark border/sashing and add embrodierd words that reflect both jobs...honor, integrity,etc. Glow in the dark thread incorporated in the panel prints would be cool. Have fun with it.

Your problem is the type of thing I enjoy solving for myself. I made a quilt, one of my first, called confusion. I had seen it on Alex Anderson's program. You sewed patchwork pieces to the sides of the small center and then trimmed them off on an angle by laying your 12 1/2 inch ruler on it. So each square was not straight on when you lined them up, but not exactly on point either. Also if you go to quilterscache.com there are many quilt blocks there and you could use one that had a square center. Two I liked for your purpose were (Page 15) London Roads and Page 11 (sq dance. You can search them by page or by name. i will try a search for the confusion quilt or see if I can find my picture of mine. and will then post it.

On Pinterest there is a confusion quilt. If you look closely you will see a square the middle of each block. You arrange the outside pieces so that when you sew the blocks together, it makes a pathway thru the quilt.

I would put black sashing on only two sides of each block. Not the same two sides - that way you can arrange them on a design surface and the space images will "float" on the black background, and appear to be in a random arrangement. Does that make sense?

Darren

I am making a quilt for my son and all the pieces are different size, so i decided to make them look like framed pictures with the background fabric acting as a wall. I hope this makes sense. That is a great panel! Where did you get it if yo don't mind me asking?

I saw fabric at Walmarts with the emblems for the different service groups..actually made a bow tucks for my DD friend that was going into the army. I am sure they had it for air force too..you could measure the designs, and use to go around each block..or BDU camoflague sashing.... found and attached a pic of the fabric

[ATTACH=CONFIG]370912[/ATTACH]

Tashana- I bought the panel last year at a quilt shop called The Quilt Place. It is in Rockledge, FL. You can also buy on line at thequiltplace.com

Thanks everyone for the ideas. Will try these and see which one works for me. Thanks Pat 625 for showing me the fabric.

Attic window is the 1st thing that came to my mind.
Using two shades of airforce blue, then a contrasting color + narrow border(s) picking up a orange/gold/dk yellow color. Be sure to show us the finished product. :thumbup:

[QUOTE=wesing;5596007]I would put black sashing on only two sides of each block. Not the same two sides - that way you can arrange them on a design surface and the space images will "float" on the black background, and appear to be in a random arrangement. Does that make sense?

I go along with that idea. I like the black sashing idea because of the "outer space" look and the depth the pictures will show. Good idea and yes it makes total sense to me. Edie

put them in a "window" setting with 2½" strips on two sides....viola...12½

I'd make each block into an Attic Windows block. You could use 5-1/2 in strips for your attic window part of the block. That would bring the 7 inch block up to a 12 inch block. Or I like the Log Cabin or Courthouse Steps idea, too. Good luck and have fun making it.

Nine or ten of the blocks could be set on point, either with one of the suggested sashings OR quarter square triangles. I'd opt for the triangles because they would provide a place for related quilting, embroidered sentiments, or applique of AF, NASA, patriotic or personal interest.

BTW, Robert Kaufman had some nice Air Force fabric out.

Tilt blocks might work, where you add a rectangle to the sides and then use your ruler to cut them "tilted".
modabakeshop has a kids tilt block that is cute and quilterscache has blocks. otherwise i was going to say putting them on point with corners added (sq in a sq) but that would make them too big. good luck.

I have made this up in a beautiful quilt for my grandson. I did post a photo here last year some time and it was call Grandsons solar system quilt. If you do a search of the posted pictures you should find it. I have the photo saved somewhere but you would probably find it quicker here. Let me know how you go.

Here's the link to your thread ......
http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...t-t170531.html

I think setting them into attic windows would be gorgeous.

I think Attic windows would be great like looking into space

pick a fabric and put a 3 inch border around them. froggyintexas

I agree with HillCountryGal about the attic windows would be neat. You could even do 2 shades on each side for more depth.
Jan in MI

The attic window would be the perfect way to frame these blocks.

Someone out there has already done one with the same pannel and it is beautiful.

Try http://www.bobrow.net/kimberly/Quilt...xy/index2.html

In case the link does not open, do a search for "David's Galaxy" as Attic Windows.

Hope you like the idea... It should be easy enough to do.

I love framing special blocks in different ways, there are so many choices. Using them as centers for stars is a great way in this space fabric, I would think. Here are a couple photos with things I've done [ATTACH=CONFIG]371426[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]371427[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]371429[/ATTACH]

Borders would be easy, then quilt it with a star pattern. I have never seen the glow in the dark thread in person, but I imagine that would look really neat in this particular quilt. You could also turn the panel blocks on point inside your blocks or turn the entire finished blocks on point. No pun intended, but the skies the limit! LOL

I like the idea of the attic window. Or the picture frame one.

I have this panel. It's in my "to do" pile. It's amazing how much faster that pile grows than my "Done" pile!

I'm sure you will get great ideas on this board. I used the same fabric to make a wall hanging for my grandchildren who love anything about space!

So many great ideas. Thanks everyone!!

[ATTACH=CONFIG]380166[/ATTACH]
This is obviously a very popular panel. I used it to make my 9 year old grandson one too! Here's mine.

How about a centre circle making it. Reverse applique method.like looking through a porthole.