Designing Around Specific Shapes

Do you like working with specific rulers or dies?  You know -- the ones that will end up giving you a very specific block (or maybe even parts of a block). 

Some of my favorite are the tools from Deb Tucker's Studio 180 Design,

If I have specific pieces that I want to work with, I love using Electric Quilt to design blocks around those pieces.  It is so much fun having my own blocks, versus ones that look like everyone else.​

Deb Tucker has created a Split Rects tool.  The Split Rects tool allows us to cut pieces and trim down triangle units where the finished height is twice the width.  They can be produced in sizes from 1/2" x 1" to 4" x 8".

Here are examples of Split Rects units.

There is a technique sheet that Studio 180 Design sells that gives more information for creating Split Rects Bonus units.   You will definitely want to watch this video in the link to see how you can use the tool to piece your own Split Rects bonus units.

There are three options for Split Rects bonus units.

In the Electric Quilt 8 tutorial, I will take you through my process in designing blocks that use those units.  It is a bit like putting together a jigsaw puzzle.

Here are the 12 inch blocks created in the video.  Each of those blocks use 3" x 6" Split Rects bonus units.

I would love to see what blocks you end up creating using the Split Rects bonus units.  And for an added challenge, create a quilt that uses one (or more) of the blocks.  

Feel free to post on the Learning EQ Facebook group.

Happy quilting.

​Kari

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