This week we are exploring shapes in quilting, specifically in modern quilting. Since we can only show seven quilts this week we will concentrate on the most popular shapes in modern quilts: squares, circles, triangles, and hexagons.
Squares
Squares are oftentimes overlooked in their importance in quilting because they are well, square. But, since many quilts rely on a block structure, squares are very key component of many quilts. Some even allow the square to take center stage with that being the only shape in the quilt. These quilts generally rely on color and arrangement and can result in very interesting and quite dynamic quilts.
Triangles
Second only to squares, triangles are definitely a cornerstone shape in quilting and modern quilting is no different. They can be put together in an infinite number of combinations to create unique, fun and modern quilts. They come in many dimensions and orientations and when put together can create a variety of shapes and designs. To quilters they are called HST’s (Half Square Triangles), QST’s (Quarter Square Triangles), Equilateral Triangles, Flying Geese or just triangles.
Circles
There is very little more intimidating to a new quilter than circles. But, if used properly there can be very little more satisfying than a quilt effectively executed with circles. Modern quilters have been playing around with circles and coming up with some great results. Effective use of color and negative space are two keys to creating a striking modern circle quilt and many new techniques make circles in quilts more attainable.
Hexagons
Aside from squares and triangles, hexagons are the only other regular shape that tessellates. This just means that it is the only other regular pattern of shapes that fits snugly together with no space in between. This results in the opportunity to create wonderful paper pieced 1” hexagon quilts as well as much larger machine pieced hexies. But, modern quilters aren’t stopping there. They are taking the hexagon to greater heights, floating them on solid backgrounds and making them out of a million tiny pieces.
This week you will see seven quilts that illustrate the versatility and beauty of modern quilts based off of shapes. Oftentimes, it is the most basic shape that makes for the most striking quilt.
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This Week of Shapes – Intro post was written by Latifah Saafir




Latifah, your quilts are fantastic. Excited to see more of 100 days…
Wow! Inspiration galore, your quilts are fantastic.
Love your quilts – very inspiring! Thanks for the nice review of shapes in a quilt – brilliant!
Can’t wait to see what comes next. This is going to be a lot of fun seeing and learning over the next 100 days.
Love your quilts what great inspirations! Thank you
I’ve been quilting for a number of years, but this has given me another way to look at things!
I really enjoyed seeing your work. Thanks so much for sharing.
love the idea.thanks for sharing and continuing the art of quilting..
Love these fresh ideas-
Modern spins on traditional shapes! Inspirational x10!
Wow I’m looking forward to seeing all this…..
Thought provoking shapes!
Just stumbled upon this site . WOW what a great one!Thanks for all the work you are putting into this I am for sure going to be following!
I am so glad my local quilt shop owner is so up on things and put this site on her blog. I love it!!!!! Virginia
Musst confess the quilt shop in Holton, KS put the bee in my bonnet about the site. She is very much into the modern quilting style and also the more traditional for the customer who wants to stay traditional
The quilt shop in Hebron, NE does a lot of design that are her own designs also and is very eager to help the non-tradiitonalists with designs that are original designs.