Birds in the Air is a very traditional block, made up of several small and one large HST (half square triangle). Psstt...get more info on seven ways to make HST here in my earlier blog post.
I found a lovely account of the history of the Birds in the Air block, as well as a beautifully photographed tutorial on making the traditional block here. As with many traditional blocks, it has its roots in the history of our country. Birds in the Air is typically thought to represent abolitionists, and it makes perfect sense, right? Birds in the air, flying, freedom?
Regardless of the history, the block is a beautiful one, with a lot of design possibilities. Traditionally, it has one background color, and one color for the HST units. But of course, that is maker's choice!
This month I reimagined the traditional square block as a rectangle - which stretched all of those lovely little HST and made them split rectangles. I also thought I'd try mixing things up just a bit, and made the large triangle in another print. To contrast, I did a second block with the large triangle as the more traditional background color. Which do you prefer? FYI, I did a poll on Instagram - and the winner? The background triangle!
Here is what a few of the blocks (with the selected background large triangle!) look like when put together. I love the zig zag effect the large triangles make when alternated. I think this is going to be a fun scrappy project! Oh - and how did I get such perfect points on those long half rectangles? Paper piecing, of course!
Head over to Instagram and check out how several other designers reimagined this traditional block as well. Just search the hashtags #birdsintheairquiltblockchallenge, #designerblockchallenge, #Novemberdesignerblockchallenge. You'll be so glad you did. It is amazing how this simple block gets so many different make overs! Which is your favorite?
And don't forget to head over to Kate's blog to see her insights on the Strip Star block too!
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