I admit it, for the past few years I have been a huge fan of sampler quilts. I've made quite a few of them, and really enjoy the challenge that comes with tackling a variety of blocks with different levels of difficulty. A sampler quilt features multiple different quilt block designs within a single quilt top. They are a great way for quilters to practice and showcase their skills with a variety of piecing and quilting techniques.
I've enjoyed the fact that sampler quilts offer a dynamic and versatile canvas for exploring different quilting styles and design possibilities. That being said, I think I have forgotten the joy that a simple one-block quilt can bring. A one-block quilt is made up of repeated instances of a single-block design. There is plenty of creativity to be had with a one-block quilt in that quilters can experiment with color choices and block layouts to create a wide range of visual effects.
There are so many blocks that lend themselves beautifully to a one-block theme. Square in a Square, Log Cabin, Churn Dash, Bear Paw, Ohio Star, and so many more. Arranging the blocks to create a secondary pattern presents endless possibilities for creativity and expression.
I've made my share of one block quilts in the past, and when reviewing some of them, I am thinking it is time to make one again. I will share some photos of past one-block quilts I've made, and I'd love to hear from you what some of your favorite one-block quilt projects have been.
Crumbler
Jacob's Ladder
Paganini
Steam Punk
Blue and Yellow Study
Into the Wind
Viola
42 responses to “Let’s Talk About One Block Quilts”
I do like one block quilts! The very first quilt I made was an Ohio Star and being a novice I made it with onasburg and cotton fabrics š± but I was so naive I just happily pieces it and had it quilted and I was in love š¤£ I love how one block quilts can be so diverse when you change to patterns and colors. I’ve been working on a square-in-a-square with Civil War prints and tone-on-tone prints and absolutely love how it’s progressing. I so enjoyed seeing your one block quilts
I do like one block quilts! The very first quilt I made was an Ohio Star and being a novice I made it with onasburg and cotton fabrics š± but I was so naive I just happily pieces it and had it quilted and I was in love š¤£ I love how one block quilts can be so diverse when you change to patterns and colors. I’ve been working on a square-in-a-square with Civil War prints and tone-on-tone prints and absolutely love how it’s progressing. I so enjoyed seeing your one block quilts
I do like one block quilts! The very first quilt I made was an Ohio Star and being a novice I made it with onasburg and cotton fabrics š± but I was so naive I just happily pieces it and had it quilted and I was in love š¤£ I love how one block quilts can be so diverse when you change to patterns and colors. I’ve been working on a square-in-a-square with Civil War prints and tone-on-tone prints and absolutely love how it’s progressing. I so enjoyed seeing your one block quilts
I’m ready to start piecing Around Town blocks from Jill Shaulis’ book Yellow Creek Quilts. Basically, it’s a Trip Around the World block – 20 blocks to the quilt. Pieces cut are 1 1/2″ for a 9″ square block, and there are 20 blocks to this quilt. Great scrap buster but also stunning because of all the small pieces and colors.
I’m ready to start piecing Around Town blocks from Jill Shaulis’ book Yellow Creek Quilts. Basically, it’s a Trip Around the World block – 20 blocks to the quilt. Pieces cut are 1 1/2″ for a 9″ square block, and there are 20 blocks to this quilt. Great scrap buster but also stunning because of all the small pieces and colors.
I’m ready to start piecing Around Town blocks from Jill Shaulis’ book Yellow Creek Quilts. Basically, it’s a Trip Around the World block – 20 blocks to the quilt. Pieces cut are 1 1/2″ for a 9″ square block, and there are 20 blocks to this quilt. Great scrap buster but also stunning because of all the small pieces and colors.
Great food for thought! There’s also quilts that are two or three different blocks combined to dramatic effect… then there’s medallion style– where each round is a different block– that’s next on my quilt-y bucket list. So many quilts to make! xox
Great food for thought! There’s also quilts that are two or three different blocks combined to dramatic effect… then there’s medallion style– where each round is a different block– that’s next on my quilt-y bucket list. So many quilts to make! xox
Great food for thought! There’s also quilts that are two or three different blocks combined to dramatic effect… then there’s medallion style– where each round is a different block– that’s next on my quilt-y bucket list. So many quilts to make! xox
I too have done many samplers. I get bored making the same block over and over. I am working on Dresden plates without much of a plan how to use them. Iām also thinking about crib size rail fence to use up fabric.Log cabin is fun too.
I too have done many samplers. I get bored making the same block over and over. I am working on Dresden plates without much of a plan how to use them. Iām also thinking about crib size rail fence to use up fabric.Log cabin is fun too.
I too have done many samplers. I get bored making the same block over and over. I am working on Dresden plates without much of a plan how to use them. Iām also thinking about crib size rail fence to use up fabric.Log cabin is fun too.
I love the photos of all of your beautiful quilts.
Steam Punk, Jacobs Ladder and Viola are especially stunning!
I learned to quilt with Eleanor Burn’s Quilt in a Day Log Cabin- such an easy and versatile pattern.
I think my favorite among the one block quilts that I have made is Hunters Star. I also enjoyed making Snack Time from Jaybird Quilts which included many colors.
I love the photos of all of your beautiful quilts.
Steam Punk, Jacobs Ladder and Viola are especially stunning!
I learned to quilt with Eleanor Burn’s Quilt in a Day Log Cabin- such an easy and versatile pattern.
I think my favorite among the one block quilts that I have made is Hunters Star. I also enjoyed making Snack Time from Jaybird Quilts which included many colors.
I love the photos of all of your beautiful quilts.
Steam Punk, Jacobs Ladder and Viola are especially stunning!
I learned to quilt with Eleanor Burn’s Quilt in a Day Log Cabin- such an easy and versatile pattern.
I think my favorite among the one block quilts that I have made is Hunters Star. I also enjoyed making Snack Time from Jaybird Quilts which included many colors.
Like you, I love and have made lots of one-block quilts. My favorites are Churn Dash, Log Cabin, Ohio Star, Square-in-Square, Devil’s Claw. I think I like making them more than sampler quilts, mainly because I make them usually quite scrappy. Quilting is endless fun, isn’t it?!
Like you, I love and have made lots of one-block quilts. My favorites are Churn Dash, Log Cabin, Ohio Star, Square-in-Square, Devil’s Claw. I think I like making them more than sampler quilts, mainly because I make them usually quite scrappy. Quilting is endless fun, isn’t it?!
Like you, I love and have made lots of one-block quilts. My favorites are Churn Dash, Log Cabin, Ohio Star, Square-in-Square, Devil’s Claw. I think I like making them more than sampler quilts, mainly because I make them usually quite scrappy. Quilting is endless fun, isn’t it?!
Good morning,
I like one block quilts and if I had to pick a favorite, then it would be the Dresden block. As a side note, for some reason I completely stopped getting your emails and they were not in spam as well. I signed up again under another email account I have and I am happy to receive them again! I am definitely going to try the creamy chicken and mushroom soup you talked about in a previous post. Have a wonderful day.
Good morning,
I like one block quilts and if I had to pick a favorite, then it would be the Dresden block. As a side note, for some reason I completely stopped getting your emails and they were not in spam as well. I signed up again under another email account I have and I am happy to receive them again! I am definitely going to try the creamy chicken and mushroom soup you talked about in a previous post. Have a wonderful day.
Good morning,
I like one block quilts and if I had to pick a favorite, then it would be the Dresden block. As a side note, for some reason I completely stopped getting your emails and they were not in spam as well. I signed up again under another email account I have and I am happy to receive them again! I am definitely going to try the creamy chicken and mushroom soup you talked about in a previous post. Have a wonderful day.
I learned to piece quilts from Eleanor Burns’ Quilt In A Day ‘Pioneer Sampler.’ It was a great way to discover what was possible without becoming overwhelmed. My favorite block to make is a Churn Dash. I’ve picked up so many helpful tips about how-to & helpful tools from your blog over the years. So, thank you for that! š
I learned to piece quilts from Eleanor Burns’ Quilt In A Day ‘Pioneer Sampler.’ It was a great way to discover what was possible without becoming overwhelmed. My favorite block to make is a Churn Dash. I’ve picked up so many helpful tips about how-to & helpful tools from your blog over the years. So, thank you for that! š
I learned to piece quilts from Eleanor Burns’ Quilt In A Day ‘Pioneer Sampler.’ It was a great way to discover what was possible without becoming overwhelmed. My favorite block to make is a Churn Dash. I’ve picked up so many helpful tips about how-to & helpful tools from your blog over the years. So, thank you for that! š
I love star quilts! There are so very many possibilities š„°
I love star quilts! There are so very many possibilities š„°
I love star quilts! There are so very many possibilities š„°
omg! a trip down memory lane…some of those quilts you made I had forgotten about. Steam Punk? I forgot you made that. I think it turned out to be a pain in the arse to make but turned out gorgeous and so different from a traditional quilt.
here’s my confession: I’ve never made a sampler quilt! I KNOW! HOW??!! (shrug emoji)
I’m with Diane: quilting is endless fun. with the insanity in our nation it is the only thing keeping me sane. I escape with needle and thread.
omg! a trip down memory lane…some of those quilts you made I had forgotten about. Steam Punk? I forgot you made that. I think it turned out to be a pain in the arse to make but turned out gorgeous and so different from a traditional quilt.
here’s my confession: I’ve never made a sampler quilt! I KNOW! HOW??!! (shrug emoji)
I’m with Diane: quilting is endless fun. with the insanity in our nation it is the only thing keeping me sane. I escape with needle and thread.
omg! a trip down memory lane…some of those quilts you made I had forgotten about. Steam Punk? I forgot you made that. I think it turned out to be a pain in the arse to make but turned out gorgeous and so different from a traditional quilt.
here’s my confession: I’ve never made a sampler quilt! I KNOW! HOW??!! (shrug emoji)
I’m with Diane: quilting is endless fun. with the insanity in our nation it is the only thing keeping me sane. I escape with needle and thread.
Great post that takes us down memory lane. I have done 2 sampler quilts: my very first quilt, and then one that is unfinished.
As I have told many others in my local quilting community, I have quilter’s ADD. Will be all “gung-ho” while buying fabric, planning, cutting and starting to sew. I sew very slow and methodically and can only manage a bit here and there after work. So by the time several weeks have gone by, get bored with a project and want to move on. I can’t tell you how many half-done quilts have been put away in boxes so I can start something new.
My temperament and attention span works much better with faster projects like table-runners and Christmas tree skirts! And also craft projects like little zippy bags, coffee cup sleeves, and sunglasses cases.
Great post that takes us down memory lane. I have done 2 sampler quilts: my very first quilt, and then one that is unfinished.
As I have told many others in my local quilting community, I have quilter’s ADD. Will be all “gung-ho” while buying fabric, planning, cutting and starting to sew. I sew very slow and methodically and can only manage a bit here and there after work. So by the time several weeks have gone by, get bored with a project and want to move on. I can’t tell you how many half-done quilts have been put away in boxes so I can start something new.
My temperament and attention span works much better with faster projects like table-runners and Christmas tree skirts! And also craft projects like little zippy bags, coffee cup sleeves, and sunglasses cases.
Great post that takes us down memory lane. I have done 2 sampler quilts: my very first quilt, and then one that is unfinished.
As I have told many others in my local quilting community, I have quilter’s ADD. Will be all “gung-ho” while buying fabric, planning, cutting and starting to sew. I sew very slow and methodically and can only manage a bit here and there after work. So by the time several weeks have gone by, get bored with a project and want to move on. I can’t tell you how many half-done quilts have been put away in boxes so I can start something new.
My temperament and attention span works much better with faster projects like table-runners and Christmas tree skirts! And also craft projects like little zippy bags, coffee cup sleeves, and sunglasses cases.
I am all about very simple quilts these days. Simplicity of color and design. I prefer cleaner lines. I do not like tight, busy blocks. I think one block quilts are beautiful and timeless.
I have sampler quilts and round robin quilts, that seemed like such big deals at the time, but now, frankly, they look very dated and a bit like old bridesmaid dresses. They are just too busy for me.
I also am moving away from tan backgrounds and embracing white-white, something that I could not have imagined 30 years ago.
Vickie
Vickie
I am all about very simple quilts these days. Simplicity of color and design. I prefer cleaner lines. I do not like tight, busy blocks. I think one block quilts are beautiful and timeless.
I have sampler quilts and round robin quilts, that seemed like such big deals at the time, but now, frankly, they look very dated and a bit like old bridesmaid dresses. They are just too busy for me.
I also am moving away from tan backgrounds and embracing white-white, something that I could not have imagined 30 years ago.
Vickie
Vickie
I am all about very simple quilts these days. Simplicity of color and design. I prefer cleaner lines. I do not like tight, busy blocks. I think one block quilts are beautiful and timeless.
I have sampler quilts and round robin quilts, that seemed like such big deals at the time, but now, frankly, they look very dated and a bit like old bridesmaid dresses. They are just too busy for me.
I also am moving away from tan backgrounds and embracing white-white, something that I could not have imagined 30 years ago.
Vickie
Vickie
I’d like to do another log cabin and arrange differently. Love your work and always enjoy your post. Being gone for the winter I can only bring so many projects and that’s when some of the sew alongs begin. But not complaining cause I’ve enjoyed the projects I brought this season!
I’d like to do another log cabin and arrange differently. Love your work and always enjoy your post. Being gone for the winter I can only bring so many projects and that’s when some of the sew alongs begin. But not complaining cause I’ve enjoyed the projects I brought this season!
I’d like to do another log cabin and arrange differently. Love your work and always enjoy your post. Being gone for the winter I can only bring so many projects and that’s when some of the sew alongs begin. But not complaining cause I’ve enjoyed the projects I brought this season!
Love your sampler blocks and all your one block quilts.
Love your sampler blocks and all your one block quilts.
Love your sampler blocks and all your one block quilts.