Sources: COLBY, Averil (1972). Quilting, B.T. Batsford, London.
SA
Block
Cotton patchwork with its blocks, USA, mid-19th century.
Copyright Victoria and Albert Museum, London, acc. no. T.229-1999.
A block, in quilting, is the basic unit used to create a decorative quilt top. Blocks are usually square, but diamonds, hexagons, octagons, etc. are also used. Blocks are sewn together to make pre-determined (larger) patterns using patchwork techniques. Many blocks are also known by specific names, such as 'log cabin' (or 'loghouse'), 'pinwheel' or 'star'.
Published in
Patchwork and quilting