I make fabric "Colorforms" to audition quilt blocks
 

My quilting guild offered us a challenge to make the "Aunt Lucy's Medallion Quilt". This pattern has many blocks and I didn't like making blocks, then remaking them when I wasn't pleased with them. As a child I loved "Colorforms", so I decided to make my own "fabricforms" to play with when making blocks. First I took an 8 x 10 inch cardboard, sprayed it with adhesive and covered with it with felt (my design wall). Next I sprayed additional felt with adhesive, and attached 3 x 3 inch squares of my chosen fabrics. I cut my 3 x 3 fabricforms into 9 (1 inch) squares, and cut half of those diagonally in half (for half square triangles). I then used these pieces to make my block prototypes, being able to rearrange them as I pleased. Then I could sew my blocks, knowing I would like them. Several members of the guild got a good laugh over them, but I found them very helpful, and they saved me from ripping blocks apart.

great idea, thanks for sharing

Too bad that some members "got a good laugh" from them. I know a lot of people who have trouble seeing blocks as described. The skill is called "spacial relations", and I think you have come up with a brilliant way to deal with it. I commend you for your creativity, and this mini design wall should help a lot of us in the quilting community. Thanks for sharing.

Good idea.

I always like to do a trial run of shapes and combinations before sewing. I think it is common sense to test it before sewing.

This is a very good idea...thanks for sharing. I think I might give that a try.

I have done something similar. I copied my fabrics onto paper then cut out my pieces with the printed paper and arranged them to see if I liked what happened. It sure helps visualize the block.
Lynda

What fun... And so practical! Love this idea.

Actually I saved color forms that my girls had....been played with by gk and ggk too! Plus I picked up some newer version......birds/animals...could be used for applique/epp....they are great to use before cutting fabric if not sure....make paper copy of fab, cut out and temp glue to form......I also took over magna doodle to try quilting designs on..these things are now called Nani's toys...don't touch!

What a good idea! I have made boards to line up my blocks and take to the sewing machine without mixing them up. A project I saw on Fat Quarter Shop videos. I like the way you took it to the next level. Very creative!

What a great idea! I hope you don't mind if I borrow it? I too, hate unsewing a block and I certainly don't need any more orphan blocks!

That's a great idea. Thanks for sharing!

I loved Colorforms, thanks for the idea. It is a great way to test patterns.

That does sound like more fun than frogging! I think children would have fun playing with it, too. I'm thinking grandchildren.

I have done this on paper and cut out the colored shapes, but I think this is a much better way. Thanks for this great way of doing it.

A great idea.

Great idea.

This is great... I have a hard time using graph paper to plan. This would be especially useful for me. Thanks for the share

I will be the first to admit my spatial relations are not good. I ask my husband "will these leftovers fit in here?" And he will size it up easily. I definitely can't visualize a block, so my fabricforms work great for me. I am glad others may get some help from my idea.

Good idea. I don't like resewing a block and usually just leave it. But you can only have so many ugly blocks!