Signature Quilts...

Note - If you haven't entered my giveaway yet, you still have time. I'm drawing 2 names Friday morning. To enter, just leave a comment on this post! 

The ladies in my quilt bee have decided to make signature quilts.  Although several have made them in the past, this is something I've not tried before.  However, I really like the idea of a memory quilt with each of their signatures.  So I offered to put together a sampling of blocks we could use for these quilts.  There are so many different quilt blocks that lend themselves to this.  In fact, any block with a large open space will work.

I made 8 variations of blocks and designed some simple quilts in EQ7 to give them some ideas for their own quilts.  I also tried to concentrate on adapting these blocks to use pre-cuts (charm packs, layer cakes and jelly rolls).  And since I've already done all the work, why not share them with you as well?  If you're considering making a signature quilt yourself, perhaps it will spark some creativity of your own.

1.  Probably the easiest block for a signature quilt is the Rail Fence.  I made 3 variations - all of them making use of 2.5" strips.

6" Rail Fence Block using 3 - 2.5" x 6.5" strips

10" Rail Fence Block using 5 - 2.5" x 10.5" strips

12" Rail Fence Block using 4 - 2.5" x 12.5" strips and 1 - 4.5" x 12.5" strip

I also made a couple of sample blocks and quilts in EQ7 using the first two sizes.  Here's the 6" version block and quilt...

6" Rail Fence Block in Buttercup Fabrics

Sample quilt using the 16 of the 6" Rail Fence Blocks.  Quilt is 32" square.

And here's a 10" version of the block and quilt - again using the same fabrics.

10" Rail Fence Block using Buttercup Fabrics

Sample quilt using the 10" Rail Fence Block.  Quilt is 50" square.

2.  Another really simple block to make is called Diamond in the Square or Square in a Square.  Here's my version from scrap fabric.  You can make this block using charm squares for the corners.

6" Diamond in the Square Block

And here's a scrappy version designed in EQ7 using Rural Jardin...

6" Diamond in the Square Block using Rural Jardin Fabric

And here's a simple quilt using this block.  There are 16 blocks here plus inner and outer borders.

Sample Quilt using the 6" Diamond in the Square block.  Quilt is 32" square.

3.  Another simple option is the Simple Autograph block.  My sample version is also 6" square and can again be made using charm squares for the corners.

6" Simple Autograph Block using scrap fabric.

Here are the sample block and quilt from EQ7 using Awesome by Sandy Gervais.

6" Simple Autograph Block using Awesome fabric.

Again this quilt uses 16 of these blocks as well as an inner and outer border.

Sample quilt using the 6" Simple Autograph block.  Quilt is 32" square.

4. The next block goes by a couple of names - Churn Dash and Double Monkey Wrench.  I made a 12" version of this one.  This block can be made using 2 - 10" squares.

12" Churn Dash Block

I used the Wiscasset line of fabric when I designed the quilt and block in EQ7.

12" Double Monkey Wrench Block using Wiscasset

The quilt has 16 blocks and is the only one I designed with a sashing.  This quilt is 63.5" square.

Sample quilt using the 12" Double Monkey Wrench block.  Quilt is 63.5" square.

5.  Another fairly simple block you can use is the Variable Star.  My version is 12" square and can again be made using 2 - 10" squares of fabric.

12" Variable Star Block using scrap fabric

I used Cherish fabric when I designed the block and quilt in EQ7.

12" Variable Star Block using Cherish fabric

This quilt also contains 16 blocks, inner and outer borders.  It is 59" square.

Sample quilt using the Variable Star block and Cherish fabrics.

6.  The last block I made up is the Snowball block.  My version is 9" and again can be made using charm squares for the corners.

9" Snowball Block using scrap fabrics

In my opinion, just using this block in a quilt makes for a pretty boring quilt.  However, when paired with another block (not sure of the name), you get the Tennessee Waltz pattern.  This sample quilt is 55" square.

Tennessee Waltz quilt using 9" Snowball blocks.

These are really just a few of the blocks you can use to make a signature quilt for yourself or someone else.  There are so many more available if you just  look for them.  In fact, after putting all of these samples together, I'm not using any of them for my quilt.  I've picked something completely different.  However, this post is long enough so I'll wait until another time to share it!

Until later...

Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to others.  

Proverbs 12:15 (NLT)