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Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Shadow Block ~ Charm Pack Tutorial

I've acquired many charm packs and have a stack of 5" blocks cut from scraps.  The problem for me was whatever will I do with them?  Not that they aren't pretty sitting in a perfect little stack, I was bound and determined not to let them sit any longer.

 I decided a shadow block (or illusion block) was the answer!  These blocks are simple, quick and the effect after piecing them together is gorgeous!
SHADOW BLOCK
5 1/4" Finished

 For each block, you will need the following:

 1 - Charm Square or 5" Block
1 - 1 1/4" x 5" Gray Strip
1 - 1 1/4" x 4 1/4" Gray Strip
2 - 1 1/4" Squares White

Place (1) white square on the end of each of the gray strips.  Using a 1/4" seam, sew and press towards the gray fabric.

On the bottom of the 5" square, place the short 'shadow' (5") piece with the white on the left side.  Sew and press seam towards the 5" square.

Next, place the last strip along the right side of the block with the white at the top.  Sew. Press towards the 5" square.

And there you have it!  The block will be 5 1/4" when finished (5 3/4" unfinished).


 When you are making multiples of this block, strip cutting and piecing is the way to go! They go together quickly and the results are wonderful!  

 This is the quilt I made using 40 Charm Squares.  You can read about it here: 
After all my blocks were pieced, I added 1 1/4" white sashing between the rows.  First vertical and then horizontal. 
LINKING:

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30 comments:

  1. Yvonne from Quilting JetgirlJuly 28, 2015 at 8:22 AM

    Great tutorial; the size for the shadow is a very nice proportion to the charm square. Do you know about the Tips and Tutorials link up @Late Night Quilter on Tuesdays? You might want to check it out and link up today!

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    Replies
    1. JayneJuly 28, 2015 at 9:26 AM

      Thank you for the info on linking! I went and posted! I agree on the size of the shadow. Just enough, in my opinion!! Thanks again Yvonne for the tip!

      Delete
  2. Tish StempleJuly 28, 2015 at 9:24 AM

    Love this and I have a gazillion charm packs just itching to be used. Thanks for sharing :)

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    1. JayneJuly 28, 2015 at 9:35 AM

      'm like you when it comes to charm packs! What to do with them! I really like this block. The illusion of a shadow is so effective, plus it is so simple!

      Delete
  3. SarahZJuly 28, 2015 at 9:25 AM

    Thanks for this! The instructions are great, and I really love the layout/proportion you used in the Cool Waters quilt :)

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    Replies
    1. JayneJuly 28, 2015 at 9:37 AM

      Having the shadow just the right proportion was my goal. I've see wider shadows, but they always seemed off to me.

      Delete
  4. UnknownJuly 28, 2015 at 9:29 AM

    This is great! Thanks for the tutorial and I love that quilt.

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    Replies
    1. JayneJuly 28, 2015 at 9:39 AM

      After tearing my hair out wondering how to use a charm pack, I was very happy this idea popped in my head!

      Delete
  5. Anja @ Anja QuiltsJuly 28, 2015 at 1:28 PM

    Thanks for sharing the tutorial. I've always wanted to try this. Did you use Kona? If so, which colour gray?

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    Replies
    1. JayneJuly 28, 2015 at 4:41 PM

      This is a mixed bag of fabrics! Denyse Schmidt (charm pack), Kona Snow and the gray is Bella Gray.

      Delete
  6. lelandavestudiosJuly 28, 2015 at 3:45 PM

    Such a great block, Jayne! Thanks for sharing. The quilt top is pure perfection!

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    Replies
    1. JayneJuly 28, 2015 at 4:43 PM

      I'm excited about finishing it, but I have yet to decided on how to quilt it. The colors do it for me in a big way!

      Delete
  7. JulieJuly 28, 2015 at 4:04 PM

    Such a simple yet effective block. Thanks for sharing it.

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    Replies
    1. JayneJuly 28, 2015 at 4:44 PM

      Yes it is Julie! I think every now and then something simple that gives a bang for our buck is fun!

      Delete
  8. HayleyJuly 28, 2015 at 4:54 PM

    What a great idea! I have loads of charm packs just sitting there because I don't know what to do with them!

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    Replies
    1. JayneJuly 29, 2015 at 7:53 AM

      I think many of us have charm packs that just sit and sit. I had it in my mind that that was not going to happen and set about looking for just the right idea!

      Delete
  9. magistraJuly 29, 2015 at 8:16 AM

    It is gorgeous! I love it and see something similar in my future. Thank you you so much!
    Beth

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  10. the mommaJuly 29, 2015 at 8:27 AM

    great block ~ love your quilt top! I need to make another quilt for my son as he has outgrown his. This would be a good pattern for a young man, I think! If you were using yardage instead of scraps, you could easily strip piece the shadows to make things go a little quicker :-) Thanks for the tute.
    happy sewing ~ Tracy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JayneJuly 29, 2015 at 8:40 AM

      Great question! Yes, I think you could strip piece the shadows. If I hadn't used gray scrap I would have! I think it would make a gorgeous 'guy' quilt.

      Delete
  11. Lorna McMahonJuly 29, 2015 at 8:30 AM

    What a great idea, Jayne! Love seeing this in solids... Especially in the cool colours - my fave. I'd love to see it in prints, too. Thanks for sharing the tutorial!

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    Replies
    1. JayneJuly 29, 2015 at 8:42 AM

      The solids put me over the edge on making this quilt! The colors…delicious! I think it could be just as effective with prints too!

      Delete
  12. JulieJuly 29, 2015 at 9:48 AM

    I'm thinking of so many places this would work even within another quilt. The illusion is gorgeous! You quilt is so neat with the asymmetrical placement. I give it an A+!!

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    Replies
    1. JayneJuly 30, 2015 at 7:34 AM

      I think you are right about this block Julie! It has endless possibilities.

      Delete
  13. FrancineJuly 29, 2015 at 3:29 PM

    Very cool tute! I have a bunch of printed charm packs that need projects, but I really love the effect of the solids ;)

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    1. JayneJuly 30, 2015 at 7:36 AM

      Charm squares have always stumped me! What ever to do with them?! I have a feeling I will be making another one soon!

      Delete
  14. Shelley FolkertsJuly 30, 2015 at 12:50 AM

    Thanks so much for this tutorial, Jayne. I won a solids charm pack that would perfect for this. It is an odd color set that has two almost white charms so if I eliminate them, I have 40 bright charms to use in this design. I love the block placement.

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    Replies
    1. JayneJuly 30, 2015 at 8:28 AM

      You are so welcome Shelley! I hope you get a chance to use this tutorial for your charm pack! I am so happy with the results, I think you would be too!

      Delete
  15. KatherineAugust 14, 2015 at 8:30 PM

    A gorgeous way to use charms! Thanks for sharing such a fun and brilliant way to make the most of them.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Clipping Path ServiceJanuary 26, 2019 at 3:46 AM

    Amazing article. Thanks for share your post.

    ReplyDelete
  17. photoshop clipping path serviceMay 30, 2024 at 1:42 AM

    What a brilliant solution for those charming charm packs! The shadow block tutorial is clear and concise, making it easy for quilters of all levels to follow along. The step-by-step instructions ensure a stunning result, as seen in your Cool Waters Quilt. The addition of white sashing between the rows ties the whole piece together beautifully. Can't wait to try this out with my own charm pack collection!

    ReplyDelete

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