Recently Cindy sent me some beautiful photos of a quilt she completed using the 1472 FEATHER SURPISE COLLECTION. She had some questions about using the border blocks. So I took some time today for design play using the blocks in question working up options for filling large triangle spaces and playing with borders.

One of the first questions that comes up is regarding 1470 and 1474. The only difference between these two patterns is that one is designed for p2p pattern work and the other it set as a block might be set without the connecting curves. A p2p pattern will have the start on the left and the stop or end point on the right. A block pattern usually has the start/end point located in the middle of the pattern where it might be least visible. If you're searching for 1474 Feather Surprise Brd 2 Blk you won't find it in the catalog as it was included as a bonus pattern in the collection package.

The next block I would like you take a look at and have fun with some design play is 1460 FEATHER SURPRISE BRD 1. This is included as a part of the collection or can be purchased separately. By simply using the mirror or flip tool you can create two additional blocks ... one that looks like 1474 and one that looks like the row blocks of 1471 FEATHER SURPRISE BORDER CORNER.     I describe these two blocks as "teeth in" (1474) and "teeth out" (1471). You may want to check the sewing order after you've done all the manipulating you want with the patterns before you export to a CSQ. And, if you're a PVM user be sure to keep your pattern name the same with a version indication added.                                                                                           Something like 1460A or 1460.1 usually works for me. Then when I'm doing a search these patterns will come up together.  

Sometimes one of the most difficult design challenges we have to work with is what to do with the large corner triangles when the piecing layout happens to be a center medallion or set of blocks set on point. I will usually try to break the large triangle area into smaller triangles. This allows me to keep the quilting more in balance. Unless I have a large triangle design made specifically for the large piecing size meaning the scale of the quilting will be the same as what is found in individual blocks I run a good chance of having my quilting scale out of balance. If you think of fabric design scale and how we will use that to our advantage to create contrast when we're piecing, you'll have a better of idea of what I'm talking about. We want that contrast when we're piecing to help create visual interest across the top of the quilt. But when we have that kind of contrast with the quilting design we end up with puffy or saggy unquilted areas that look like we forgot to finish the quilting in that spot. This mockup shows the placement of1464 FEATHER SURPRISE TRIANGLE dropped in the two side triangle areas and then rubber stamped and mirrored or flipped to create a block that rests snuggly in between the two triangles.  

I love the way the blocks came together for Cindy in the center part of the quilt. I had never rotated 1466 FEATHER SURPRISE BLOCK 3 and seen the circles or rings pop like that. What a wonderful suprise. It almost gives the effect of a double wedding ring design.

Here's another mockup I put together while I was playing today. It is very similar to what Cindy did with her quilt, but what I want you to notice is an alternate way of looking at the border treatment. Don't you just love it when the design possibilities are limitless! Thank you to Cindy for sharing your quilt project with us.