Showing posts with label easy x-blocks quilts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label easy x-blocks quilts. Show all posts

Friday, March 4, 2011

Look! An X-Blocks Bedroom Suite. Sweet.

X-cersize Your Creative License

Sandy Kent, 'Quilter X-traordinaire' of Magnolia Springs, Texas, sent us more pictures showing how she uses her X-Blocks leftovers (the X-tras that are left when you trim your blocks) with creativity and flair.

She created her Country Liv'n quilt (on the left) from a Quilt Queen Designs Dancing Stars pattern, then used her pieced leftovers to create an entire bedroom suite out of them: matching table runner, table topper and throw.






Sandy deserves a high-five (Texas style) for X-Blockin' outside the box. Stop by Magnolia Springs Quilts and see her other lovely work.
Bye for awhile,
X-Blocks Princess

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Afraid to make your first X-Blocks quilt?


If using your X-Blocks quilt tool baffles you, maybe I can help.

I'm a great fan of the X-Blocks acrylic square and my students love working with it. But sometimes they are intimidated. "Your quilts look so complicated - how could this be an easy way to make quilt blocks?"

First, this tool is DESIGNED to make things easy. There is nothing more complicated for you to sew than nine patch blocks. Beginners start with the easiest quilt by piecing three strips of fabric together.

Second, the trick is in using the tool's registration marks. Lay your 3-stripped piece of fabric or nine-patches on your cutting mat. Place the X-Blocks tool on the fabric, matching the lines on the tool with the seam lines on your blocks.

Next, cut around the tool with a sharp rotary. Because the X-Blocks sits on your fabric off-grain, the result is what I like to call a 'wonky block.' As you sew all these wonky blocks together, an intricate design begins to emerge. Stars, pinwheels, posies...you name it.

Save the edges you trim off because they make the intricate (in appearance only) borders.

And one more tip: I like to use a small cutting mat or revolving mat so that it's easy to swivel the mat around when cutting all four sides.

I hope this information helps. For more X-Block ideas go to Patricia Pepe's website and click on her gallery or products page.