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Saturday, February 5, 2011

Block 6 Richmond

I was so happy today to discover this week's block for Barbara Brackman's Civil War BOM is the Richmond block.  This is the block I call my "Grandma Block" and I've made several quilts using it with changes in the value placement.  The block is also known as "Aunt Vina's Favorite", "Pinwheel" , "Butterfly" and several others.

If you've read my blog very long, you've probably seen these quilts a time or two.  But
I think it's really interesting to study how different a block can look with value changes.

So this is my block for the Civil War Quilt



Block Base reverses the lights and darks in the four corners and that's also what my Grandmother did. This is the quilt she made in 1981 for my oldest son



And a close up of some of the blocks



And the first quilt I made using the block

"Remembering Grandma" 2006

And a close up of the block







The second quilt I made as wedding gift for my youngest son in 2008.  I replaced the four patchs with single squares, changed value placement a bit and called it "Hidden Stars".  Do you see them?




 Close up of those blocks




Then I added sashing to create stars between the blocks and created "Grandma's Garden" which I finished in 2010.

Close up of those blocks



Lastly I've pieced a dark version that isn't finished.  I plan to add applique to the outer borders.




I hope you find it as interesting as I do to see how this block can be changed. 




9 comments:

Sherry said...

It is so interesting how you can change a patteren with just fabric they all look gret.

Elaine said...

I agree with Sherry. It's very interesting. It would be hard to say which I like better as they have completely different looks.
It's great to have your grandmother's quilt handed down.

Cheryl said...

Wow, they all look so different. Thank you! I found this very interesting.

Jocelyn said...

Wow Mary, you have used this block so beautifully! Love every quilt.

Helen McNaught @ AuntyHennys said...

Hi Mary!

Such beautiful quilts!!!

So it's safe to say that you have had "some" experience in piecing this block! :-)) I know where to come if I have any problems! I'm just about to cut it out and begin piecing.

Cheers!

Julia said...

Beautiful quilts Mary, How lovely to have your G'ma's quilt..
I had not seen this block before..
I'm having a bit of trouble with the size, keeps coming up too big..
I'll work it out!

Crispy said...

It was fun seeing all the variations in this block. Of course, it's one of my favorites since it contains a star :0)

Crispy

Sheila said...

What a great post-- I love the variety.

Barb said...

I so enjoyed seein all of the variations...what lovely quilt!