May 31st – today my husband and I celebrate forty-three years of marriange! And we also celebrate those of you who have completed the “Economy Blocks” for your “Rows Parade” quilt. I have some pretty blocks made by QAL (quilt along) participants to show you.
First up are Colleen’s blocks. She used all three major values in each block: light for centers and dark for the small triangles which contrast nicely with the medium floral prints of the large triangles. Way to go, Colleen!
Ann wrote, “These were fun!” She found an interesting text print for the block centers and varied the placement of darks and mediums.
Ann also sent a picture of all the blocks she’s made. What fun to see her quilt coming together!
Karen is using fabric designed by Kaffe Fassett. By using a light fabric for the small triangles, she is able to showcase both the dark center squares as well as the color-intense fabrics of the large triangles.
Beth sent several pictures of blocks made by her quilt group. Aren’t these gingham fabrics so nice? They really make a statement used all together.
Check out these sea creatures! This maker used the same light fabric for all the large triangles, the same dark blue for the small triangles, and various medium prints for the center squares.
And here is a totally scrappy version. Can you analyze the values in these blocks?

And we all love Lori Holt style calicos! I have observed that many 1930s repro fabrics are medium in value. Therefore, the contrast within the quilts is often in texture or color rather than in value, as in the pink block below.
“Economy Block” is the first design in our BOM with three distinct areas, enabling us to contrast those areas by varying the values: light, medium, and dark. The other blocks–Simple Windmill, Hearts, Nine Patch, and Plus Signs–have just two areas, a background and a foreground. I hope you enjoyed playing with value in May, and I can’t wait to see the way you color June’s blocks.
If you completed the “Economy Blocks” needed for your size quilt, comment “DONE” below. You’ll be entered in a drawing for a free quilting magazine.