The Quilter's Bible. Linda
you are making a simple scrap quilt or an heirloom sampler quilt, there are some fabulous techniques to explore here.
Patchwork Settings
A setting is the layout that the units, blocks or sections of a quilt or project are arranged in – and the choice is excitingly wide. By far the most common and easiest arrangement is using blocks, which are based on a grid, and over the centuries a vast number of block patterns have been developed. Block patterns, which are repeated to form more complex arrangements, have been with us for a long time and can be seen in art and architecture the world over – from Islamic mosques to Victorian tiled floors.
The way that patchwork units and blocks can be arranged is almost limitless, giving opportunities for wonderful combinations of colour and tone. The more varied the shapes, the greater the scope for unique designs.
Blocks not only allow you to break a quilt design down into simpler units but the combination of different blocks and alterations in colour and pattern allow fascinating secondary patterns to become apparent. The majority of blocks are square, the easiest shape to combine, but the principles of arranging the layout of a quilt are the same whatever the block shape. Some of the most common quilt settings are described in this section. We also look at types of quilt with descriptions of the most popular ones, some of which you may be familiar with, such as sampler quilts and scrap quilts.
Patchwork settings can be very simple yet still have impact, as this elegant quilt by Julia Davis and Anne Muxworthy shows. Each square has a border and the whole design is then set on point with triangles added to return the shape to an overall square.
Common Quilt Settings
There are so many books, magazines and online articles on quilt settings that many books could be devoted to the subject (see Further Reading for suggestions). Examples of the most usual layouts are given in this section to give you a taste of what you might try. Of course, diagrams with plain colours can only hint at the effects that can be achieved and this subject comes to life once gorgeous fabrics are used.
Straight Setting
Straight quilt settings, that is arranging the blocks vertically or horizontally, are the most popular way to arrange a quilt. Straight settings, sometimes called edge to edge, may repeat the same block throughout the design of the quilt or feature different blocks. The blocks can be presented in the same way or rotated one way or the other, and often combined to create secondary patterns. The blocks can be joined to one another or be separated by ‘frames’ or sashing.
On Point Setting
Rather than arranging quilt units or blocks straight, they can be turned 45 degrees, which is called ‘on point’. This type of layout can either be extended to the edge or border of the quilt with half blocks at the edges, as shown in the first diagram, or corner triangles and setting triangles can be added to make the overall shape into a square or rectangle, as shown in the second diagram.
Alternating Setting
These quilt settings alternate a main block with another block, often a plain or simpler block, as shown in the first diagram. This means less piecing work and allows the main block to be shown off. If plain blocks are used this allows greater scope for quilting. Four-patch and nine-patch blocks are often alternated with plain blocks in this way. Quilt layouts can be in four quadrants, each rotated 90 degrees, as shown in the second diagram.
Tessellating Setting
Quilt settings with tessellating patterns are those that repeat a particular unit or pattern all over the quilt to make designs that interlock and create areas of positive and negative space. Tessellating patterns are visually stimulating and appear never-ending. They often use a single shape, such as a diamond, or a block, such as the Friendship Star block and the T block shown here. Tumbling Blocks and Inner City are two other blocks often used.
Medallion Setting
A medallion setting is one where a central square, rectangle or circle forms the focal point of the quilt, with patchwork ‘frames’ or borders building out from this centre point. Printed panels, such as the Kona Bay one shown in the second diagram, can make very attractive focal points of a medallion-style quilt. See also the Medallion Quilt picture.
Tilted Setting
Many blocks can be tilted quite easily by adding pieced sections to each side, with the block then re-cut so the central pattern is at an angle. Square-within-a-Square (first diagram) and Log Cabin (second diagram) are blocks that look good in this type of arrangement. Tilted settings create great movement within a quilt. See Making a Tilted Block for creating a tilted block.
Sashed Setting
The way that the blocks within a quilt are arranged can be enhanced by the use of sashing. Sashing, sometimes called lattice, is used to frame and separate blocks and can make a big difference to the look of a finished quilt. Sashing can be plain or pieced and can also have the addition of keystones and cornerstones (see second diagram). See Using Sashing for more details on sashing and keystones.
Types of Quilt
Quilts are often given different names to describe their structure or purpose and you may come across some of the following terms in quilting books, magazines and on the internet.
Album Quilts
These quilts are personal creations, made up of blocks with all sorts of images meaningful to the maker, rather like a scrapbook of memories. The blocks may be patchwork, appliqué or a combination and the settings vary with the maker.