I am fascinated by drawings that upon a second examination, a new design or face or animal appears. The drawing becomes much more complex than it first appeared. After you have discovered the more intricate design you will never see original the same way again. Some quilt blocks are designed so that when they are sewn together a secondary design appears. For example, this quilt photo I pulled off Pinterest is a great example of a secondary design forming.
This simple two color quilt top has one block pattern, but half of the blocks are with a white center and half of the blocks are with a red center. The basic block of this top looks like a stylized flower.
When the blocks are sewn together in alternating colors, another design appears- it is a circle, and the circles overlap. This could be a puzzle on Facebook, “How many circles do you count?”
The following top is an example of two different block sewn together that create a third design.
The top block is a “sawtooth” star, very common in quilt patterns. The lower block is one version of “puss in the corner” made up of four simple four patch blocks.
But when the two blocks are sewn together in an alternating pattern, a third pattern appears.
A modified “Irish Chain” appears. Of course the use of color is very important in creating another pattern. But even with the one color, a secondary design can appear.
Can you tell which design was “the” block for this quilt top?
Was it this block made up of a green center block with “flying geese” radiating out and the half-square triangles in each corner?
Or was it the “Shoo Fly” block with “Flying Geese” used for the sashing?
We don’t know—this quilt top was made by an unknown artist. A member of Quilters at First found this completed top in a thrift store and I quilted it and added the binding from the fabric that was sold with it. I would like to meet the person who pieced this sweet top. The points are perfect. (when the top is machine quilted on a domestic machine, the quilter sees every inch of the top!) Every corner of the half-square triangles and the flying geese is present–none were cut off.
Reproduction fabrics of the 30’s and 40’s were used masterfully. The green corner stones make the coral shine. The background fabric is a vintage looking cream color.
The quilt measures 45″ x 60″ and for sale for $75. If you are interested in this quilt, please leave a comment or DM me on Facebook.
Perhaps now you will start looking for bonus designs or patterns in quilt tops–or in the tile on floors or walls!
Quilts, Etc. 