Block Editor: Draw and Reuse Quilt Blocks

Start or open a block

Open the Block Editor, or reopen a block from My Blocks. Use the File menu for document actions. Name the block and check its dimensions before drawing.

Draw pieces and choose fabric

Choose a drawing tool, then draw on the canvas. Use Select to adjust pieces. The sidebar exposes shape properties and fabric choices. Select one or more pieces before changing their fabric or measurements. Use Undo or History to revisit changes in the current editing session.

Block Editor help and shortcuts, in the QuiltLab menu at the top left, opens the current keyboard reference. For example, Enter finishes a polygon draft and Escape cancels it. Shortcuts apply when an editor control is not using the keyboard for text entry.

Read the demonstration steps

In the Block Editor, choose Select and click the upper-left piece of the four-patch block. The inspector shows its three-inch width and height. Click the clockwise rotation button in the Rotation section. The selected piece rotates fifteen degrees and the Angle field reads 15. Click Undo in the toolbar. The piece returns to its original position and the Angle field reads 0.

Read the descriptive transcript or open the video if playback fails.

Save for later

The badge shows New block on an empty new block, then Unsaved changes, Saving, Saved, or Couldn't save. Use Save for an immediate save. In a project, Saved privately means the edit is your private draft; Save to Project updates the shared version.

Use the block in a quilt

Open the Quilt Editor, choose a block from its library and place it in the layout. Existing quilts can review library changes through Block updates; saving a new block version does not silently replace every placed block. See reviewing block updates.

Recover an interrupted edit

If offered a recovered draft, review it before restoring or discarding it. Keep the editor open when a save fails. See Saving, recovery and projects for private drafts, conflicts and ownership.