Hi Friends!
Today in the Exploring the Basics Series, Tammy and I are sharing the Ocean Waves quilt block!
The basic Ocean Waves quilt block
Each month on Instagram, Tammy and I host a group of designers and we each re-imagine a basic quilt block. This past month, August, it was the Ocean Waves quilt block.
This is the basic block. It is often seen as a 2 color block, maybe with shades of one color like blue and then a background color.
It is made up of lots of Half Square Triangles. Since I am a huge HST fan, of course I love it!
But I have actually never made an Ocean Waves quilt. One of those, it’s on the bucket list….
My Reimagined Ocean Waves quilt block
So how did I decide to recreate the block? I knew that I wanted to keep to the basic block idea but, I wanted to add some movement to it.
When Tammy and I first started this IG series of re-imagining blocks, I had the idea to make every block into some sort of pinwheel. I didn’t, but it seemed to me that this block could use a pinwheel!
So I added a partial QST to create a pinwheel and after many variations on a theme, this was my block in greyscale.
You can see all of my HST units do not have a background color in them- the group down the diagonal of the block has 2 of the colors. And I have 2 backgrounds- a white and pale grey.
Now to add color!
Color
I had to choose a color palette. I loved the idea of the blue and white- I mean, really, it’s a classic and so lovely! but I wanted to use some of the fabrics in my new Signature Line with Island Batik.
The line is called Moonlight Sky and, after many delays in shipping, it should be arriving in stores this month! Yay!
I could have gone blue as the line has some amazing blues in it, but I decided to go a little dark. So I choose these for my palette.
The Block
And here is my block!
I knew I would not have time to make a big quilt so I decided to make a mini quilt. Which meant small blocks, small pieces- each unit finishes 1″ square!
The Units
I added a partial QST to my block to add that pinwheel effect when the blocks come together.
So not only did I have to make HST units, I had to make small partial QST units.
Want tips on making these units? Here is a link to my post on HST units and a link to my post on partial QST units!
Mini Quilt
And here is my mini quilt!
It is not quilted yet as funny thing, making mini blocks took just as long as making bigger ones! Especially when you keep turning the HSTs the wrong way and have to get out Jack and make adjustments!
And I am still debating the quilting thread color- blue, purple, or green? What do you think? Let me know in the comments!
OH- and I already tried black- too dark for me!
Head on over to Tammy’s post– she is not only going to show you her reimagined block but also some of the blocks created by other designers! And they are awesome!
Next week I will be sharing another new quilt using the Moonlight Gardens fabrics! I think you are going to LOVE IT!
happy quilting!
Kate