
Quilting has a rich history to draw on. Enabling quilters today the ability to take traditional quilt blocks and make them their own. Today I would like to focus on 7 classic quilt blocks with a modern twist. My hope is it will give you the courage to go beyond what has been done in the past and make a scrap quilt that is true to you and your personality.
The Blocks
First, the log cabin, I start with this one because it was the first quilt I ever made. There are a lot of ways to give this classic block a modern touch. Today I’ll share how playing with color and value placement give a totally different look. What do you think of this?
Next, the rail fence block historically takes two or more fabrics of equal length and stacks them to make a striped block. The block is then twisted & turned to make various patterns. Piecing one or more rails gives a fresh new look. I’ve done this with Gradation as well as with the twisted rail fence.
Another oldie but goodie is the churn dash block. Quilters can give it a little whimsy with a little free form piecing and look what you can create.
Half square triangles are a go to for many quilters. This quilt block is versatile by nature and extremely fun to play with. I like to add impact by playing with scale and using crumb fabric.
While the four patch is basic by slicing and resewing you will get a whole other look.
In addition to slicing try framing or floating a block like has been done with a nine patch block here.
Last but not least I love to add new life to the popular sawtooth star by making it wonky.
A challenge
What other time honored blocks will you give a modern twist to? I’d love to see. I hope you’ll share them in my Facebook Group.