When Carolyn Beam from Quiltmaker asked me to participate in their 100 Blocks issue I was thrilled to contribute, as Quiltmaker is the magazine I recommend most to my students. It’s a great learning tool, and their 100 Blocks collector’s issue does not disappoint. It’s packed with appliqued, pieced, and mixed-technique blocks, so no matter what your taste, you’ll find something that you love and can’t wait to make.
Here’s a sneak peak at the behind-the-scenes detail of my block:
Inspiration: I used my color journal as I discuss in Color Mastery: 10 Principles for Creating Stunning Quilts. You would think I already know what’s in my own journals as often as I write about them. I was wowed by how many patriotic quilts and memorabilia I had pasted in those pages. I have three patriotic quilts in my den (above the mantel, over the sofa, and on the foyer wall), but I knew a patriotic block would be a classic that quilters would love to make and use often. I do wish I could have included photos of my journals here, but they are at Quilter’s Newsletter being photographed for an upcoming excerpt of my book.
Design: I adore simple, elegant blocks, and do not enjoy making quilt blocks with a lot of tiny little pieces. It’s actually far more difficult to design a simple block that looks sophisticated than it is to make one with 70 pieces. This one came together after I remembered my mission: Connecting, Playing, and Longevity. Old Glory connects me with so many other women of generations past who honored their country by making patriotic quilts. Playing? I had fun playing with the pinwheel design in the star area of the block. I played with several options and decided on this version after I loved the movement it created. And what block design could have more longevity than a patriotic block? It’s one that will be made again and again.
Colors: Red, white and blue of course, but which ones? The flag block needs high contrast for each part of the design to show well. I mapped the hue, value, and intensity of each color, so I’d know exactly which ones would work together to create harmony. Blue is the easiest, as navy is the classic dark, dull blue used in most flags and quilt blocks. So what about the red and white? I went to my stash and found two red fabrics: both pure red (no orange or raspberry hues) and they were a dull intensity and medium value. The white fabrics were both bright white and would be more intense than cream or off white, but were needed to balance the navy and red. I adore how they all coordinate to give a crisp look.
Construction: Here’s a secret: all 1/4″ seams are not created equal. For this block, and others I’m making for a quilt I designed for a fabric manufacturer’s block of the month, I find a true 1/4″ seam works well for strip piecing. However, when you piece triangles, a scant 1/4″ is far more accurate, as a true 1/4″ makes the block too small. Try it on the Old Glory block and it you’ll find this method works beautifully and gives super-accurate results.
I envision Old Glory set in a quilt with alternating plain blocks and lots of gorgeous feather quilting. Wouldn’t it look great for July 4th?
Follow the 100 Blocks Blog Tour daily Nov. 9-13 at for inspiration, ideas and giveaways! The collector’s issue is in your local quilt shop, or purchase it at the Quiltmaker website.
Here’s your own chance to win the issue and make your own quilt using Old Glory! Leave a comment telling me how you would use Old Glory in your quilt or project, and I’ll choose a winner Thursday. Watch here for your name to be announced!
What a great Patriot block. I love knowing about your inspiration, the design, & construction details but most especially color! Congrats on being included as one of the 100 Blocks.
After adoring your old glory block, I love it!, it gave me a sense of old tyme traditions past, warm and cozy. What came to mind was for me to use this block in a carry-all tote project for some of my lady friends as a holiday gift so they can carry around to show their old-tyme patriotism spirit or when they just need something to carry their projects for class or show and tell. Thanks for the inspiration!
Love the block! It will work super for a quilt I will be making for soldiers of a unit that a local boy was a part of. He was killed last year and a local quilt shop has a goal of providing each of his unit a quilt.
Thank you!
My guild is participating in the Quilts of Valor project, which is to make patriotic quilts and donate them to wounded soldiers. Your Old Glory block would be perfect for this. I can see it used in borders surrounding a central medallion of an appropriate military insignia.
Molly
Wow, Old Glory is gorgeous. I would use is for the center of a table runner. Thank you for offering it. Take care and God bless, Cory
Love your block! I would make an entire quilt out of those blocks!
I think your block could be offset with a larger version of the windmill look you have in the blue and white corner of it. This would give the quilt motion.
Thanx and congrats on 1 of 100!
Another winning design. Delighted with your fabric choices AND I have one of those already in my stash, so I will attempt the block and use my Color Mastery training to select the other fabrics. I am Linda on Lake Oconee.
hi
as a brit it would have to be a union jack!!
Definately a full bed quilt. Julia & Julia is a must see.
Old Glory set on point would look wonderful A pinwheel above a heart
Love your block
I would make this block into a wallhanging and give it to my sister-in-law who has a son serving overseas in Iraq.
I really love your block–but I love anything that is country and of the patriotic-theme. Our guild makes quilts for the War Vet home–this would be a wonderful block to use as you described!
I’m not sure how I’d use it maybe a whole bunch of these or maybe as a corner block with a bigger flag in the middle. . . hmmmm ideas are endless.
Very cool block! It would be great in a pillow.
Hi Richard! So good to hear from you. Miss seeing you at the shop – I haven’t been able to stop by for awhile. My kids’ schedules are busy and I’m working on that one biggie project. Won’t have the fabrics until mid-December!!
Hi Kate – great to hear from you. I know you’re staying super busy! I so enjoyed your presentation at House Beautiful’s Color Institute. Thanks for your kind words about my block – it was fun to do!
I’m sure I’ll be making this in the near future. A really pretty block. And thanks for the tip about the 1/4″ seam, I’m going to try it for sure.
I see a table runner on a table for the whole month of July.
I love your take on the flag. I would take your design and make them into placemats
Great Block, it would make a perfect pillow to match my wallhanging!!
I absolutely adore this block and what a perfect one to come out on Veterans Day! Love all things patriotic and country and this on e is a combo of both! I am in the process of adopting a soldier through Soldier’s Angels (www.soldiersangels.org). You adopt a soldier and send them one letter a week and one package a month. Thought a quilt with all patriotic blocks would make a special package to send. Congrats on being chosen for this special issue.
I’ve seen a lot of wonderful blocks throughout this blog hop and this one is no exception…I love it and it’s the perfect block to feature on Veterans Day!
I love the block, it really is timeless. Thanks for the info on scant piecing triangles, I’m hoping it helps me out. I would use this block to make a small entryway quilt to hang.
Congratulations! What a terrific block and a great day to have it debut. I think it would be great to use it in a quilt for Quilts of Valor.
I love your Old Glory block and am looking forward to seeing the copy of Quiltmaker.
Just wanted you to know that I used the six fat quarters I won from you to make a cute little Lori Smith quilt at my guild retreat this past weekend. I’ll be posting a pic on my block explaining that I won the fabric from you. I’ll let you know when to look for it. I am really pleased with how it turned out.
Great block! I think it would be wonderful in a table runner.
I love red, white and blue. I think I’d use the block in the middle of a table runner.
What a great block. As a veteran I appreciate all signs of patriotism. I would use it as a wall hanging. It’s perfect!
congrats on being in 100 blocks. i love this block and cannot wait to get a copy of magazine. maybe i’ll win one.
I’d use it to make a tote bag!
I think it is a wonderful patriotic block and fantastic they featured you on Veteran’s Day! My DH is retired military having served many times over in Saudi, Kuwait and Iraq….red,white and blue means much more to us than colors.
I like your block. I would use it with alternating plain blocks and maybe have a star block in the very center of the quilt. This would make a great quilt for my son in law, who is in the Army.
Hello Richard, This one’s really pretty, I’ll use it for a full bed quilt
, love the reds and blues
ops I said Richard :S
I LOVE your block!!!
I love your block…and knew the minute I saw it that it would make a great table runner for 4th of July! Congratulations! I also loved reading about your design process.
I love patriotic – I would make a table runner, with this block on each end and stars in between.
Your block is great, and I know for sure it would be a focal point in whatever project I chose.
Congratulations on being in the 100!
I would use this beautiful block to make a pillow~
Great Beth! I can’t wait to see your project – those fabrics were absolutely gorgeous together!
I love americana blocks and saw an eagle that is in the book too.
I would love to use those types of blocks with yours to make a quilt for my nephew who is serving our country.
Debbie
I like hearing about how you made your color choices. This would make a lovely pillow for my Dad, who just turned 90, and is WWII vet.
I could see this block on a cute throw pillow, maybe 2 pillows for my couch.
Wonderful block.
This would be a wonderful block to use for QOV.
What a beautiful block! Love the fabrics you chose and the pattern is just perfect. Personally, I would love to make this part of a patriotic wallhanging. My deceased husband (he was retired) was a career Marine Corps officer who served in Vietnam twice, and in many other places and times. He was so dedicated to this country and served it well, receiving several medals to include the Bronze Star for Valor. My brother looked up to him so much and he ended up joining the Marine Corps during Vietnam, only to lose his life at age 21 in a fierce battle. For me, this block used in a wallhanging would serve to remind me of them and the honor with which they served this country. They loved this country so much.
I would definitely use the block as the focal point in a patriotic wallhanging–perhaps with some repro fabrics. It truly is a captivating block.
I was looking through the comments and I really liked the Tote idea. That’s a really nice block.
Thanks for the giveaway.
Billie
Great point about the quarter inch seams. AS for the block, well, it is really cute and if I made one, it would be for a Quilt of Valor donation.
Congrats on having your block published. Very patriotic! I think it would make a great border on a red, white and blue quilt of some sort.