If you've ever wondered how a Jittery Wings pattern goes from idea to finished design, pull up a chair — because today I'm taking you inside one of my favorite parts of the process: the block study.

Before a new pattern gets a name, a color palette, or a quilt layout, it usually starts with me at my cutting mat, playing. And right now, I am deep in a study for a brand new Split Quarter Rectangle block.

The idea for this block was born out of our March 22, 2026 HIVE+ Guided Practice LIVE.

What Is a Block Study, Anyway?

A block study is exactly what it sounds like — a focused exploration of a single block unit before committing to a full quilt design. I use them to test proportions, see how color behaves, work out any construction quirks, and honestly, just get a feel for whether a block has the kind of energy I'm looking for.

This one does. I knew pretty quickly that this tiny little Split Quarter Rectangle had something.

The Block: Split Quarter Rectangle

The concept is simple: like a split quarter half “square” triangle, each finished block is made up of two smaller triangle units, and one large triangular unit “covering the other two” diagonally. Put 4 individual units together, and you get a block with strong diagonal movement and a dynamic, almost kinetic feel. It's a Controlled Improv block, which means the construction has built-in flexibility — but the result looks intentional and graphic.

For this study, I made three sizes of the same block to see how scale would change the feel of the design.

Why Size Matters (More Than You Think)

Here's one of my core beliefs about quilt design: size creates impact and movement. The same block at three different scales can feel like three completely different quilts.

For this study, I tested:

Smallest block (left in image above): each unit finishes at 2" x 4"
Middle block (middle of image above): each unit finishes at 3" x 6"
Largest block (right in image above): each unit finishes at 4" x 8"

I'll be completely transparent with you — I already know where my heart landed. I am a small-block quilter through and through. Smaller blocks make the color move across the quilt more dynamically. They create more visual complexity without requiring more fabric colors. They feel more alive to me. As a pattern designer, I have to dance between making what I LOVE and what I think my followers will “try.” These blocks require trimming, so making them larger was an attempt to make them more approachable for my quilter bees. I am genuinely curious what you see when you look at these three, because this is exactly the kind of decision where the Hive has strong opinions.

The Points Problem (And How I Fixed It)

Here's where the block study really earned its keep.

In my first version, I noticed that the diagonal points in the center of the block were coming up about a half inch above the seam. Half an inch doesn't sound like much, but in a geometric block like this, it matters — at least to me.

I shared that version with some of you on Instagram, and the response was split. Some of you loved the gap. It gave the block a looser, more organic feel. Others (like me) found it distracting.

I went back and reworked the measurements until those points came together cleanly. That's the version you're seeing below, and that's the version that's moving forward into a full quilt design.

This is the part of pattern design that doesn't always get talked about: the rework. Most blocks don't come out perfect the first time. The study is how you find out.

What Comes Next

Now that the study is complete, I'm moving forward with a full quilt design using the 2" x 4" finished size block units. I have a feeling this one is going to be a lot of fun — lots of movement, strong diagonals, and the kind of color flow that makes you want to keep looking.

Stay tuned to the newsletter if you want to be the first to know when this pattern drops — that's always where the Hive hears about things first.

But Before I Go — Share Your Opinion

I showed you three sizes today. The smallest, the middle, and the largest. Each one has its own personality, its own pace, its own presence on the design wall.

So tell me: which block size are you most drawn to — and why? Drop your answer in the comments. I read every single one, and I genuinely use your feedback to shape what I design next. That's not marketing speak. That's just how the Hive works.

Block Study: How I Design New Quilt Patterns (And Why Size Changes Everything)