Using background material for filler blocks
04-11-2020, 09:10 AM
#1
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Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: In a lovely lakeside community in the foothills of the Ozark Mtns.
Posts: 18
Using background material for filler blocks
I am making a house quilt. I have a very interesting background material and I would like to intersperse it with my houses. My question is whether I have to make the same size block as my houses, or if I need a space several blocks wide or high, can I just use a piece of material--sort of like a panel? I hope I am making sense. Thanks for any suggestions you might make.
04-11-2020, 09:33 AM
#2
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Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Greater Peoria, IL -- just moved!
Posts: 6,098
It's part of the fun of quilting that just like in a Bob Ross painting, it's our happy place and we can do what we want. Sometimes we want to focus on block designs, and sometimes we want to focus on fabric. While I often plan out a quilt to the tiniest details, sometimes I let it grow and change and the end product is something I am happy with, but didn't start out that way.
So the answer is yes, you can make it about the background anyway you want. You can space it as much or as little as you want. You can even use the fabric whole and applique or otherwise build the houses with embellishments.
So the answer is yes, you can make it about the background anyway you want. You can space it as much or as little as you want. You can even use the fabric whole and applique or otherwise build the houses with embellishments.
04-11-2020, 09:44 AM
#3
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Join Date: May 2017
Location: Sunny Florida
Posts: 4,422
Yes, you can certainly mix and match block sizes. It gives interest to the quilt design. For example, if you have a finished 12 inch block, you can use 6 inch, 3 inch, or 4 inch blocks to make another 12 inch finished block. You can use rectangle blocks and half stagger the design when putting the blocks.
You want to use a common number to the block sizes. This makes it easier in the final layout. Next example, if you have a 10 inch block use 5, 10, or 15 inches to make the joining blocks.
You can also stagger sashing strips. One time put them on top of the block. Next block, put them on the bottom. These will still match up to needed block size but add interest too. Draw it out on paper first. Good luck with your design.
You want to use a common number to the block sizes. This makes it easier in the final layout. Next example, if you have a 10 inch block use 5, 10, or 15 inches to make the joining blocks.
You can also stagger sashing strips. One time put them on top of the block. Next block, put them on the bottom. These will still match up to needed block size but add interest too. Draw it out on paper first. Good luck with your design.
04-11-2020, 10:31 AM
#4
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Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Ft. Worth, Texas
Posts: 3,674
Before you cut into the background, you might open it out flat, face up, on a bed or the floor and place your blocks around on it to get an idea of how it might look. Sometimes what I think will be good in my head, doesn’t look at all like I thought it would in reality. Maybe take pics of your different possibilities for comparison. Good luck. (0:
