A New York Beauty Block

I’ve always wanted to make a New York Beauty quilt. It’s one of my bucket-list quilts. My other bucket-list quilt is a Double Wedding Ring quilt.

I watched a few tutorials on YouTube and found this series by OnPoint-TV & Quilting with Nancy to be excellent. I've subscribed to her channel as there is a lot to watch.



I watched the series of videos about making the New York Beauty (above) and then I watched Nancy explain how to design and manipulate blocks on Electric Quilt 8.

I sat down with EQ8 and designed a fairly simple NY Beauty block. 

I followed all of Nancy's advice including adding 1/8" at the edge sections of the block and I even made freezer paper templates to cut the arcs around the foundation paper piecing arc.


I'm very glad that I took her advice about the extra 1/8" and scant 1/4" seams. With minimal trimming (using my 9 1/2" square ruler) the block turned out great.


I used Island Batik fabrics to make this sample from the Lace & Grace range which was the range I used in my February Around the Garden Row Quilt challenge. One of the great things about using batik fabrics is that you can use either side of the fabric. Back and front of the fabric, both work perfectly well.

I don't love foundation paper piecing, but look at these pointy points.


 Now that I've made a block sample, I feel ready to tackle a quilt. I have my fabric stack all ready to cut into, but I just need to decide on the design.


Tell me, do you like NY Beauty Quilts that have the same block repeated or lots of different blocks? 

I've been looking at Pinterest, which is a wonderful site for inspiration... possibly too much inspiration as I'm having a hard time deciding what way to go. Hah!

28 comments

  1. Replies
    1. I love them bright and scrappy looking too. I think I've settled on a design and pattern which I'll be using for my Island Batik NY Beauty challenge (although the bundle isn't my usual bright colours).

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  2. Wowie Anorina, I love this block very much.
    I can see a quilt with this, but yes, I would be wondering too.
    You could make identical blocks in different colors, or I do certainly like these you chose.
    I have saved myself a lot of frustration but giving myself an extra 1/8th in size. Good thread and all of those seams can use a lot of fabric.
    This looks very sweet

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    1. Thanks very much Rosemary. I'm so pleased that I saw the 1/8" tip as it's saved me a LOT of frustration :)

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  3. Really beautify NYB. This has also been on my bucket list. I love your cheerful colors and fabrics.

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    1. Thanks Darlene. I think a lot of us have a NYB quilt on our must-make list. Perhaps we should do a New York Beauty Quilt along later in the year.

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  4. I love your NYB! I'm afraid that I'd get bored making the same block over and over but maybe you could come up with a few different NYB blocks that you could rotate through the rows? Good luck with design!

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    1. Thanks Patti. Yes making the same block over and over can be boring.

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  5. That is a beautiful block, love all the colour.

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    1. Thank you! This was my sample block which I'll keep and work on slowly. My actual NYB quilt which I'm making for my Island Batik challenge has a different fabric bundle (which I'm not allowed to share just yet).

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  6. I love NY Beauty blocks, but have never tried one.
    I frequently get lost in Pinterest for way longer than I should. LOL

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    1. Haha! Me too! I start by looking for one idea... which leads me down a crazy path.

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  7. I will be watching with interest as that block has been on my bucket list for many years.

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    1. I've watched a lot of NYB videos through the years - but this series on YouTube is excellent and really made me want to jump in and have a go (rather than just procrastinate).

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  8. I used to have a NYBeauty Pinterest board, when I was in a Bee and asked for these blocks back in 2018, with lots of variety in them. I loved the precision that foundation paper piecing gave as you say! My finished quilt was called Luna Park. You can see it here https://patchworknplay.blogspot.com/2018/02/finish-3.html
    Although it may be on Pinterest too!

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    1. Your quilt is absolutely beautiful Susan. I love your hand stitches.

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  9. Perfect! It is one of those blocks I want to make.....one day. I like quilts that have a variety of blocks, but whatever you make, it will be stunning.

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    1. It's always been my "one-day" quilt too but I'm glad I stumbled upon this series of videos on YouTube and jumped in. Turns out it wasn't as scary as I'd imagined.

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  10. NYB blocks are my favorite blocks - I like them with lots of color. Yours turned out beautifully!

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    1. Thanks very much Wendy. I love them bright and scrappy too.

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  11. It will look fabulous in Batiks....

    Hugz

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    1. Thanks Fiona. The great thing about batiks is that you can use either side. Not so wasteful.

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  12. Your block looks perfect, so colorful too. A New York Beauty quilt is also on my bucket list.

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  13. I need to pull out my foundation paper piecing quilt......

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  14. Your NYB block looks great - I probably prefer lots of different coloured blocks.

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  15. That's a block I haven't tried but it is one I'd love to play with one day...Yours looks great and it seems that the extra preparation you did really paid off. I think the NYB blocks look best with lots of colour.

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