First I want to show you how to take 16 Wings Blocks and lay them out in 13 differant patterns. If you have a pc software program you can put this block in there and play with turning them and see what you can get. If not you can make 16 blocks and lay them out on your table and then play with turning them and see what you find.

I chose to use a 4 x 4 grid for this lesson but you can also use a 6 x 6 grid. A 4 x 4 grid means 4 rows of wings blocks with 4 blocks in each row. Or a total of 16 blocks.

After the placement part I will then show you how to add color and play with color in your quilt blocks.

First let's look at placement options.

Wings Block directions
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-60682-1.htm

Ok now first we have 16 Wings blocks. Then they are laid out in differant patterns. I came up with 13 differant patterns without using any color.

This is placement of the blocks in which I simply turned them. I used the exact same blocks in all 13. The only differance is the blocks are turned in differant directions for each one.

Ok now let's look at what color can do to your quilt block.

Thank you for the cool block. And I love your avatar. Looks so happy.

Rhonda ,thanks for all the designs. i'm so sorry i forgot to send you a thank you for the templates you sent. now i'm inspired to get to work and try those blocks. thanks again. connie

Wow, this is amazing! thanks

OOPS I was asked to post this tutorial but when I searched I did't think I had posted it before. Now I found the original post. There are a few more pics on the original.

so if you want to see the rest of them here is the link
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-75142-1.htm

Cool, thanks so much. I love to make blocks and then play with them to get the pattern I like. LOVE the baby avatar, so cute.

that is awesome!!!

Awesome!

Thank you so much, that is really useful

Wow! That is so cool! Thank you.

Rhonda, you are so great to share so much with us. We love you for that. Thank you!

:shock: :shock: :shock: WOW!!!

Thank you, Rhonda. So neat looking. Question- how do you know what size to do the 1st part of wing block to get the size wing you want. I have such a problem with trying to decide on what size to do when stuff is on point or different rather than just a square or rectangle. EX: if I want the wing for a 6 1/2" block and for a 12 1/2" block, four by four.
TIA, Marcia

I have templates for that reason. I have already figured out the size you need. For making a 4 x 4 you will need a 3 1/2" template to make a 12 1/2" QB and a 2 1/2" for making a 6 x 6 for a 12 1/2" for a 6 1/2" QB you will need a 2" for the 4 x 4 and a 1 1/2" for the 6 x 6.
You will also need the scored templates. a 3 1/2" template will need a 4 1/2" clear scored 30 degree angle template and the 2" or 1 1/2" will need a 3" scored template.

I discovered after I had posted this thread that I had put it on the board before under a differant name. So when I got to the color I stopped posting it and didn't add the rest. Since Patrice wants me to just leave this thread on here I am adding the rest of the color play pics.

You can see the subtle differances color can make when you place the color in differant areas and when you change the light and dark around you get differant looks.


..

Love these, they are so pretty.

Wow all those options?????? I have only made one quilt and I struggled to make it match the pattern - wow I could have not fussed and just had fun! Now I am anxious to start the next one, this is just awesome - thank you from the tips of my sewing fingers!

That is so cool! I have you bookmarked bec now I know what my next project will be .... TY

Very pretty I am going to have to quit looking at this site my to do list is getting longer and longer and everytime I see something new I add to list and everything is so pretty.

Have you founjd a way to make the blocks without so much trimming and the waste? I looked at the directions and did not want to make so much waste, but love the design/

Yes I have. I need to post a thread on this. I have been experimenting with cutting squares and rectangles and then cutting them into the differant size triangles to use in place of swatches. There will still be a little waste with this but not alot. I reuse my leftovers so I don't consider the cut aways as waste. But I have taken into consideration that others have differant priorities than I do when it comes to the leftovers. As a miniaturist I can reuse just about anything down to threads. But I realize not everyone will do the same.

You will lose some of the quick and easy when you take more time to cut precisely instead of cutting swatches. The swatches are used so the quilter doesn't have to do any math or cut any precise amt. I designed it that way because I don't want to take the time and effort to fiddle with cutting out precise pieces that I am going to turn around and cut out of it again anyway. I usually reuse the leftovers to make the next Wings blocks so not much is leftover anyway.

But I recognize the need for the math for those who are more concerned with conserving fabric than the ease of using swatches. I believe in each to their own so I have been working on solving this problem.

I will post it soon so you can have the directions for cutting the triangles.

Here is the tutorial for downloading and using paper templates to cut out instead of using my swatch method.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-104927-1.htm#2681433

great