> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.prequilt.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.prequilt.com/prequilt-101/starter-quilts/first-prequilt-quilt/02-creating-quilt-blocks.md).

# 02 Creating Quilt Blocks

Our Ribbon Star quilt progress:

* [x] Select your quilt grid
* [ ] Import or design your quilt block
* [ ] Choose your quilt fabric colors
* [ ] Add blocks to quilt grid
* [ ] Finessing your quilt *(optional)*
* [ ] Add sashing *(optional)*
* [ ] Add borders *(optional)*
* [ ] Add binding
* [ ] Using printed fabric swatches *(optional)*
* [ ] Download quilt map, blocks & swatches

{% hint style="info" %}
[<mark style="color:blue;">**Block Library**</mark>](/welcome-to-prequilt/about-this-help-guide/glossary.md#block-library)<mark style="color:blue;">**:**</mark> PreQuilt has a selection of common quilt blocks. Feel free to grab one any of your quilt designs!
{% endhint %}

Now that the foundation of your quilt has been created (*see* '[*Quilt Grid*](/prequilt-101/starter-quilts/first-prequilt-quilt/01-creating-a-quilt-grid.md)*'* *tutorial*), it's now time to start placing blocks into your quilt. First, we'll need to import or create our quilt block. Then, we'll need to add it to the quilt.

As a default, a Half-Square Triangle (HST) block is preloaded. For this tutorial, we will ignore it. You can also delete it, if you'd like.

## <mark style="color:blue;">A | Import Block from Library</mark>

If you're using a common, traditional quilt block, there's a good chance it's available in the built-in [*<mark style="color:blue;">Block Library</mark>*](/welcome-to-prequilt/about-this-help-guide/glossary.md#block-library). To import a block from the library:

1. Click on the '<mark style="color:blue;">**BLOCKS**</mark>' tab on the [*Left-Side Control Panel*](/welcome-to-prequilt/about-this-help-guide/glossary.md#control-panel). It'll automatically expand and will have 1 HST default block.

   <div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/5wf4YoMozgrEeN2042wk" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
2. Click on the dropdown arrow on '<mark style="color:blue;">**Show More Options**</mark>' and click on '<mark style="color:blue;">**Load Blocks**</mark>**'**.

   <div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/j4RFIha0lYMNXBC0i2Hu" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
3. A pop-up will appear with 3 tabs: PreQuilt Blocks (Block Library), Your Block Stash, and Collaborators. To use any of the blocks in these tabs, follow the same instructions.

   * ***NOTE:*** Collaborator Block Libraries are additional one-time purchased Add-On products.

   <figure><img src="/files/LgxcyJ3yyTfUOf0qbfNV" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
4. Find the block you'd like to import (*example: Churn Dasher*). Hover over it and an 'Add' button should appear inside the block. Click on the '<mark style="color:blue;">**Add**</mark>' button. It will appear on the right side, indicating that it's ready to be imported.

   <div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/CKaROXveRvSfmhIqpGa8" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
5. Click on the '<mark style="color:blue;">**Import**</mark>' button on the top right side to add the block to your current quilt project.

   <div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/rEdAoP6pWrxV55jx3ghT" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
6. The *Churn Dasher* block is now in your '**BLOCKS**' tab control panel. It's now ready to be added to the quilt. --> [*<mark style="color:blue;">Proceed to 04 Using Blocks in Quilt</mark>*](/prequilt-101/starter-quilts/first-prequilt-quilt/04-using-blocks-in-quilt.md)*.*

   <div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/oFM5n87muwm45iSr7ZaJ" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

## <mark style="color:blue;">B | Create a Block</mark>

If the block you want to use is not in the [*<mark style="color:blue;">Block Library</mark>*](/welcome-to-prequilt/about-this-help-guide/glossary.md#block-library), you can create a block yourself to use! For this help guide, I'll go through the steps to create a **Ribbon Star** block.

![](/files/oJ0bFlRd825gvd4rbcrM)

* This block is pieced together on a 4 x 4 grid
* For this 12" block example, each pieced component is 3" finished
* The block is made up out of squares and half-square triangles

1. Click on the '<mark style="color:blue;">**BLOCKS**</mark>' tab on the [*Left-Side Control Panel*](/welcome-to-prequilt/about-this-help-guide/glossary.md#control-panel). It'll automatically expand and will have 1 HST default block.

   <div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/9cNX0oR8GyK5xFDdoTOV" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
2. Click on the '<mark style="color:blue;">**Make Custom Block**</mark>' button.&#x20;

   <div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/DGawg7TOjwqzOKJhSt13" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
3. The [*Block Editor*](/welcome-to-prequilt/about-this-help-guide/glossary.md#block-editor) panel will open, ready to create a new block.

   <div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/3uvLjLV5SeZ5BtxnbbXM" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
4. On the left side control panel, change the **Block Info**:

   * Name your block
   * Change the block width and height (if necessary)
   * Change the [*<mark style="color:blue;">Gridlines</mark>*](/welcome-to-prequilt/about-this-help-guide/glossary.md#grid-lines) to 4 for both the horizontal and vertical units (This will divide our block into 16 equal sized units).
   * Make sure the gridlines are on (visible) by toggling it as seen below

   <div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/dp9sKngemsJLwEeHgCL0" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
5. To create this block in PreQuilt, we will use the shapes (in black below the [*<mark style="color:blue;">Block Editor Canvas</mark>*](/welcome-to-prequilt/about-this-help-guide/glossary.md#block-editor-canvas) area). Click on the <mark style="color:blue;">**square shape**</mark> underneath the blank block.
   * ![](/files/jtLJSfNUcXnDNlGp8rod)
6. One square will appear in the block area. Click on the <mark style="color:blue;">**square**</mark> and while still holding down on the <mark style="color:blue;">**mouse button**</mark>, <mark style="color:blue;">**move**</mark> the square into the top left corner.

   <div><figure><img src="/files/pAAodDSoF9nyptNskkvx" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure> <figure><img src="/files/8nl7WLaIE494bkwcoJKA" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
7. Then click on the <mark style="color:blue;">**bottom right box**</mark> on the outside of your square and <mark style="color:blue;">**drag**</mark> it to make the square bigger. It should snap to fit the size of the grid unit perfectly.

   <div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/3wYPn6RoGnmeejWW4i4L" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure> <figure><img src="/files/rtc0EXcjakJs0bJTBSY3" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
8. Since we'll need 4 of these squares, click on the [*<mark style="color:blue;">**Clone**</mark>*](/fixes-faqs/block-editor-buttons/clone.md) button on the central [*<mark style="color:blue;">Toolbar</mark>*](/welcome-to-prequilt/about-this-help-guide/glossary.md#toolbar). This will duplicate our first square.

   <div><figure><img src="/files/jJ8arHD0WEXdtQ1r9myq" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure> <figure><img src="/files/MitvvHGWBNhSTRqr10PV" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
9. Move the newly created square into the top right corner of the block area.
10. Repeat ***Steps B.8-9*** till all 4 corners are filled.

    <figure><img src="/files/KK7IJn0FXJJzE6GtJvgj" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
11. Repeat ***Steps B.5-9*** using the half-square triangle (HST) shape to create the background pieces of the Ribbon Star block.&#x20;

    <figure><img src="/files/I8eWLyXLYMpHYK8fG8VC" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
12. Now, we'll want to create the foreground HST shapes that create the Ribbon star block. Click on the <mark style="color:blue;">**HST shape**</mark> on the bottom. It will be beige, like the background color. With the shape selected, click on the '<mark style="color:blue;">**Link**</mark>' button on Color Tag (B). Now the HST piece is black.

    * **REMINDER:** Don't forget to create both the background (*step B.11*) and star HST pieces to create a square unit. If you only do the foreground, the block will not be complete.

    <div><figure><img src="/files/9HAaDnOvMPfyUiSxDUAR" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure> <figure><img src="/files/m6Kn6TfrWrVpNYUQXIx5" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
13. <mark style="color:blue;">**Move**</mark> the black HST into place in order to create the Ribbon Star block. [<mark style="color:blue;">**Clone**</mark>](/fixes-faqs/block-editor-buttons/clone.md) the black HST and move it until you have the entire Ribbon Star block created.

    <div><figure><img src="/files/zWuFNSYg6DNqoKMuEJZq" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure> <figure><img src="/files/O7XxcPvabnZ1ZqBXWNYl" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
14. <mark style="color:blue;">**Save**</mark> the block to the quilt.

    <div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/Ld50jNTUxk4wiZCrMx4e" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>