Tumbling Blocks

Tumbling Blocks (also called Baby Blocks) creates a stunning three-dimensional optical illusion using only three diamond shapes per 'cube' — one in a light value, one medium, and one dark. When these three diamonds are placed correctly, the eye perceives a stack of three-dimensional boxes receding into the distance. The effect depends entirely on consistent value placement. Tumbling Blocks are traditionally hand-pieced using English paper piecing because every seam requires a Y-seam construction. Selecting fabrics with clear value contrast is critical to making the illusion work.