Pushing the traditional patchwork block, I stretch a square into a rectangle, tessellate the long sides and design the interior to make a new repeat unit. Multiple repeat units stack easily into columns. Reflection at strategic axes adds complexity and interest as it confuses the eye. Simple designs become complex images, expressed in luxurious silks pieced with extraordinary precision or other fabrics constructed by more improvisational methods.
The four basic motions of symmetry–translation, reflection, rotation and glide–become five two-dimensional design options for patchwork: Butterfly Quilts, Quarter Quilts, Ladder Quilts, Crystal Quilts and Designer Pinwheels. The last is based on four-fold rotation of a tessellated right triangle.
Patterns for similar designs can be found on the Patterns page, and specific instructions for my design and piecing methods can be acquired in my online quilt design classes at Quilt University.
Designer Pinwheels
 |  |  |
Crystal Quilts
 |  |  |
Ladder Quilts
 |  |  |
Quarter Quilts
 |  |  |
Butterfly Quilts
 |  |  |
Quilter Blogs & Store Search
I really like the designer pinwheels. I have just learned to do this type of cutting and resewing to create fabulous designs. It really adds unique interest with not nearly so much work as it looks like. Some friends and I have created a friendship quilt. We each created a square, unique to our own style, and we can tell exactly who made each one by their personality. We are now combining them into a quilt, and on the back is a pocket, holding a journal. We will pass the quilt from person to person, once a month, and whomever has the quilt will record any significant event that happens to them while in possession of the quilt. It should be filled with dear memories for decades to come.
That sounds like a fantastic project, Carrie. Good luck with it. Who gets to keep the quilt in the end?
It’s a visiting quilt – we’ll all share it.