June 29, 2004

 INDEX 

  1. Class Description

  2. Anatomy of On-Point Setting

  3. Class Supply List

  4. Focus Blocks

  5. Sashings

  6. Cornerstones

  7. Cutting the Edges!

  8. Cutting the Corners!

  9. Sewing on the Edges and Corners

Five Focus Blocks

     At this point, the five focus blocks should be ready to put into the quilt top.  Each of them should be trimmed to precisely 10" x 10".

     Once the focus blocks are ready, you need to determine where in the quilt top they will lay.  There are several details to consider prior to laying out the blocks for the quilt top.  Details include:

  • Direction - By "direction", I mean the way in which the contents of the block are facing.  Some blocks may not have a direction, yet others might.  It is always wise to place the directional blocks from the outside, facing inward.  This gives the eyes a place to move and wander around the interior of the top.  If you place a block on the outside, facing outward, it will look as though the block is about to fall off of the quilt top!  Note the example below and notice that some of the blocks simply don't "look right".  In fact, the only block that I believe to "look right" is the butterfly on the upper right.  The butterfly in the top left position doesn't look too bad, but it could be better.  The bottom two look as though they are falling off the quilt.

  • Position - Not only is the direction the block is facing important, the position that the motif lies in of each block is also important.  For example, the butterfly in the middle above looks as though it is either flying straight up or getting ready to land!  When planning blocks for an on-point setting, take into consideration the position of the motif in the block.  What does it look as though it is doing?  Does it seem to "move" in one direction or another?  Before you cut the fabric (or put the appliqué or whatever), audition the motif (appliqué, etc.) in the block and see if it looks better one way or another.  In other words, does the block look better if you cut the motif (or place the appliqué, etc.) on the diagonal or does it look best if you place the motif straightly on the square?  The position can change the overall appearance of the block.  Here is an example using the scissors appliqué.  In the first picture, the appliqué is fused together, but not on a background fabric.  The second picture shows the appliqué in a straight position on the background fabric.  The third picture shows the appliqué positioned diagonally on the background fabric.  I auditioned the position of the scissors and decided that I like it diagonally for this setting the best.

  • Flow - Some quilts may have a theme and the blocks tell a story.  If that's the case, then planning the blocks BEFORE you get ready to assemble the top is necessary.  In other words, say you're making a top reflecting the children's story "Wizard of Oz".  It would make sense to put the blocks in order so that you don't have the witch melting from the bucket of water poured over her BEFORE Dorothy meets Scarecrow!  Also, during the planning of the blocks, you need to know which block goes where so that you can prepare the blocks so that the direction that they are facing is correct (as explained in the previous bullet point).  In essence, be aware of the flow.  There may or may not even be one, but it is definitely a consideration.

     Here are my five focus blocks (patterns available from this site).  I have tinkered with the layout until I was happy with the overall appearance (and I'm trying to ignore the fact that I do not like my fabric choices for the tools!).

     On a flat surface, lay your five focus blocks in the positions shown in the quilt above.  You may need to move them around to get the appearance you want.  Be sure to pay attention to direction, position, and flow, as discussed above.

     In Lesson 4, we will begin the process of adding the sashings and cornerstones!