I have been quilting for 30 years. Over that time I have developed some shortcuts that I like to share.

Now some may say why are you sharing this as it was in the Boston Book I had to buy. Well the Bookmark tutorial that was put on the Quilted Paradise Newsletter was a free introduction to the Boston Book. My "Blocks" are only included as they are needed but the book is more about how to use the block rather than the directions to make the block. So I am offering the free "Block" Tute here for my Boston Blocks. This one was named by me because it goes to make up a Boston Star quilt block. It can be used to make all sorts of quilt blocks.

If you want to know more about anything you see here just pm me or use my email address in my signature to send me an email.


Introduction to my Cut Down Method

The cut down means you sew fabric together and then you cut out a square from the center with a template.

The BOSTON BLOCK

And here is the finished Boston Block!!!

Tip:

If your block is not quite square after you cut- trim the corners carefully.

Tip:

I use a 1 1/2" acrylic template for most of my projects. You can use whatever size you need for the project or quilt block you are making. I like to cut a small strip of sand paper and glue it on the back of the template out of the way(not on any lines in the center) Templates are available on my online site if you can't find the size you want.

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Make up a lot of these in lots of color combinations and lay them out on your work table. Experiment with placement and color arrangements to get designs you like.

Use them in my projects or use them in any quilt block. If you look at traditional quilt blocks you can see where this method can be used in place of the traditional way of cutting out squares and triangles and then sewing them together. Card trick can be made this way and of course the Boston Star quilt block. Look at my Boston Block Quilt Blocks page and see other quilt blocks using this "block".

My cut down method saves time and effort especially if you do all the steps in an assembly line fashion and cut out lots of blocks at one time.

Any left over scraps can be pulled apart and reused in the next "blocks". I never waste anything. I make blocks in 1" and 1 1/4" sizes also. The 1" go into my keychains and the 1 1/4" goes into checkbook covers and eyeglass cases and billfolds as well as mini quilts and bookmarks.

These 'blocks' are a great way to use up scraps!

YOU CAN USE ANY SIZE TEMPLATE TO MAKE THE SIZE QUILT BLOCK YOU WANT!
Have fun!!!!! Rhonda

Thank you Rhonda.

Thanks!

you are gifted

Thanks Ann

I shared this with a couple of quilter guild ladies who knew everything. They were very impressed with your skill! They had seen the tiny quilt I made for a doll house and asked me. "Well", I say, "There is this lady Rhonda who has a method. . . ."

Thank you Sara for the compliments! I do enjoy the good feedback! You'll have to get these ladies to join the board!

WOW! Color me ever color of impressed! I am amazed and want to try this technique. Thank You for the tutorials. Have thoroughly enjoyed it. :thumbup:

Gramof6 I am glad you enjoy the tutorials. I hope to add more besides the keychain class coming up next Fri. I do have some things in mind when I have time to do them.

This is great...you make it so understandable. I will definitely be trying this block. thank you

GrammaNancy you are more than welcome. I like my shortcuts and I think they can help quilters time wise and they lessen the frustration and stress some. this method lets you make things that you might not have thought of before. So I am glad if you all enjoy it. That is the payoff for me is when people get some satisfaction out of using them.

Wow there is so much GREAT info here and so many links to learning things , I just don't know where to start! Thank you Rhonda!

handy idea ;)

wow! I love this one. You make me feel like I can to
ANYTHING. Can't wait to start. thanks again

You're welcome Little Pea!!

Thank you Ronda,

A special thank you, your tutorial simplifies the block. I love that you are willing to share. I bookmark it.

I love your work! I started clicking on the links and printing out the pages...just ran out of ink! I'm on my way to the store to buy more.

Thank you gals! I am so glad you can use the tutorials and my shortcuts. I love sharing what I have learned.

Marked for remembering!!! What an easy way to do this!

That is AWESOME! that is so simplified I LOVE IT!!! now i only wish i wasn't looking while at work...i need to get to my sewing room and make some of these quick!
(well, in about 8 hours anyway)
thanks!

For anyone who hasn't seen it yet we are starting a Rhonda's Sampler Quilt along. Here is the link

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-56442-1.htm

Bought your e book and was wondering if you could help me I have machine embroidered 9 six inch blocks and want to make a babby quilt using the boston block method my question is what size should my blocks be if I Used the embroidered square in the center?

I would think you could use the 6 1/2" quilt block size for the Bostons too. Without seeing how you plan to lay it out this is the best I can do. If this doesn't help you could post a pic of what you plan to do with the embroidered block then maybe I can give you a better answer. Hope this helps!

Thanks,Iwill give it a try will not be able to do piecing untill tuesday as have 2 more blocks to embroider and have to work for next three days but will post results thanks.

Thank you, you are an angel. God bless. Penny

Dear Rhonda,
I tried to email you privately and it didn"t work so I"m replying this way. I would like to make a 12in.block so whatever templete makes that block I"ll take.Your tutes are great, I hope to get busey soon.Thanks!

Dear Rhonda,
I'm the one who posted about the embroidered blocks and let me say this I LOVE 'BOSTON BLOCKS" and the book. I have never had a quilt that not only was super fast to make 64 blocks in 2 evenings but they went together like a dream.
I not only have the top put together but have just today before going to work ,machine quilted the baby quilt.Will post picture after I get the binding on and a label made for it.Thank you for inventing such an easy way of making those blocks,I am so glad that I bought your e book......

Retta I am so glad it went so well for you! I will look forward to seeing your pictures! The Boston is the first one I figured out so I am kinda partial to it! I'm really glad you like it! It will be interesting to see what Quilt Block you used and the fabrics you chose!

Thank you for sharing... :thumbup:

Rhonda, I finally got to using the templates that I received from you. Here are a few pictures of a bookmark and key chain/luggage tag I made. Note to self: don't try to put 2 side of a book mark together, it is kinda hard LOL. Enjoy and thank you again for the templates, I will be using them again.

Those turned out really great! Interesting fabrics.

Those are adorable! I love little things! I am having fun with the Dresden Kaleidoscopes- I'll have to try the blocks.

I had received some 2" or 2 1/2" squares that were already sewn together from my mom, i just added the piece on the bottom for the "big" triangle. I just picked what I liked since the sew squares were floral.

You are a woman after my own heart. I love it.

Rhonda, you are not only very talented, bur also a very generous lady. Thank you for everything that you share with us!

Rhonda,

Thank you so much for sharing. I'm heading now to make my first Boston block. Your directions will make it so much easier.

Fantastic, Rhonda. Thank you for sharing your shortcuts!

So once upon a time I had this quilt in mind...it involved more than several (term used loosely) triangles. It was my second foray into making a quilt, and I got about 1/2 of it cut out, then stopped because, frankly, cutting all of those tiny triangles was just too tedious.
You, friend, are wonderful for sharing this little shortcut. I may have been way past "newbie" by now, had I not given up and left all those pieces in a plastic bag (and subsequently gave away never to see the light of a quilting day again).

THANK YOU for your insight.