Adding a border of blocks to Super Sixteen Woodpile quilts

Suppose you have a 16-block quilt made matching one of the designs on page 44, 48, 123, or 127 of Sizzling Quilts from a Simple Block. If you decide to make another set of blocks to enlarge the quilt,  "Answers and Extras" helps you decide which one.

A total of 36 blocks

The enlarged quilt will need 36 blocks, but two sets of 16 gives only 32 blocks. You will need to make four more blocks or add four plain blocks. (Many of the 16-block designs include plain blocks, freeing up pieced blocks for use in the borders.)

Which borders go with which blocks?

Sizzling Quilts from a Simple Block gives 71 arrangements for 16 blocks and gives 45 borders. Because of the V-H and H-V factor, not all borders and designs are interchangeable. Some borders go with blocks on page 44 and 123, while other borders go with blocks on page 48 and 127. There are still over 1,500 combinations!

Borders work better with designs with circle motifs in the center than they do with the Pinwheel designs.

The best borders

A serious designer can photocopy pages with border designs, cut out the windows, and lay the sheets over the 16-block designs to visualize how they will look. I did this myself and took several hours trying combinations. Some were great, some were boring, some were bizarre. You don't really need that many choices, so I carefully chose a few borders I thought were the best.

Here are two good ones from page 45, using only Regular blocks. They work with designs on page 44 and page 123.  (Sorry, I can't guarantee they'll print out exactly the right size on your computer.)
 


 
 
Designs below are from page 124 and require Reverse blocks (dots). Both designs look good with plain squares in the corner. Use them with designs on page 44 and page 123 also.

To order a copy:

I give the 12 best borders in "Answers & Extras." You get a laminated copy with windows cut out already when your buy this teacher's book for $15.00. (Not planning to order "Answers & Extras"? The laminated sheet can be purchased separately for $3.00. If you're willing to do your own cutting and laminating, you can get just the printed copy with a stamped self-addressed envelope.) Send to Anita Hallock, 740 North 21st, Springfield, OR 97477.