The Album block is an age-old favorite. Traditionally created as a gift to a bride-to-be, quilts made from this block often boasted beautiful embroidered work too. It's creators would embroider their names or decorative motifs within the block's open rectangular area. Creating a quilt from Album blocks was a group effort. Often each block was pieced by a different woman, and the quilt constructed by the group as a whole. It was truly a warm communal gift to help the bride-to-be set up house.

This block, however, can be used to mark more than a new marriage. Album blocks are a wonderful way to commemorate anniversaries, births, graduation, etc.

What is the size of this block?

This is a 10-inch block.

Constructions instructions

Album blocks include one rectangle, squares, and two differently sized quarter triangles. Constructing this block is a simple matter of cutting fabric, piecing the rows, and joining rows to create the finished block. Because Album blocks lie on the diagonal, piecing starts from one corner to another.

Cutting - Two fabrics are needed to construct an Album block. Typically, white and a either a print or vibrant solid are used.

Cut an 8-inch long rectangle from a 3-inch wide strip of fabric A. Cut two squares from a 3-inch strip of fabric A. Cut eight squares from a 3-inch strip of fabric B. Cut four quarter triangles from a 3 3/4-inch strip of fabric A. Cut eight quarter triangles from a 4 3/4-inch strip of fabric A.

Piecing - An Album block can be broken down into five rows. Because this block is set on the diagonal, though, setting triangles are used at the start and finish of each row. The small fabric A triangles are used for this purpose. The final step is the addition of setting corners once all the rows are pieced. The larger fabric A quarter triangles are used for this. For all stitching, use a quarter inch seam allowance.

Row 1 & 5 - Place one fabric A triangle over a fabric B square with the right sides together. Stitch in place. Repeat on the other side with another fabric A triangle to create row 1. Repeat this step to form rom 5 Rows 2 & 4 - Place one fabric A triangle over a fabric B square with the right sides together. Stitch in place. Place one fabric A square on the fabric B square and stich to the other side. Place another fabric B square over the fabric A square, and stitch in place on the other side. Complete row 2 by placing a fabric A triangle over the fabric B square and stitching. Repeat entire sequence to form row 4 Row 3 - Place a fabric B square with the right sides together over the fabric A rectangle. Stitch in place. Place a fabric B square over the rectangle and stich to the other side. Place row 1 over row 2, right sides together. Match seams and stitch. Repeat for each row, in order, matching seams carefully before stitching. Gather the larger fabric A quarter triangles. Place one over the fabric B square of row 1 and stitch. Repeat for the fabric B square in row 5. Place one large fabric A quarter triangle over one fabric B end square in row 3 and stitch. Repeat with the other fabric B end square of row 3 and the last large fabric A quarter triangle.

How to use it?

Album Blocks are traditionally used in an on-point setting. In this example, all blocks are done up in blue and white and placed against plain white blocks. A blue border frames and finishes the design.

Other ways to use it

Album Quilts were historically constructed by multiple quilters, so there is no rule saying the same fabric must be used throughout. In this version, blocks of green are used to form the center motif as well as the corner squares. Solid borders of blue and green were added to create a more finished appearance.

Although this block was traditionally worked up with white fabric against a contrasting color, in this medallion setting, black fabric adds contrast when used as side and corner setting triangles. It is used again as a thin outer border against the middle green border. Having the bold color value of black placed against the spring green and white fabrics, this particular layout gives Album blocks a more dramatic presentation.

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