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Quilt Block of the Month: March

Have you ever wanted to make a quilt but couldn't find just what you had in mind? The editors of Quilter's World magazine have compiled some block patterns, from the thousands of traditional blocks available, that you can download for free. With a few basic skills and a variety of block patterns, you can create countless designs in no time.

A new block download will be available each month along with helpful hints, tips and tricks. We will also give you ideas for block combinations and possible quilt settings from time to time to help you create fabulous quilted projects. We hope these blocks will inspire you to experiment with quilt design and create your own layouts. So get a binder and some page protectors to fill with block patterns and samples to fuel your creative juices.

Aunt Addie's Album

Finished Block Size
8" x 8"
Aunt Addie's Album

Aunt Addie's Album
8" x 8" Finished Block

Cutting

From Light Fabric:

  • Cut 1 (5 1/4") square. Subcut on both diagonals to make 4 A triangles.

    Aunt Addie's Album

  • Cut 1 (4 1/2") B square.

    Aunt Addie's Album

  • Cut 4 (2 1/2") C squares.

From Medium Fabric:

  • Cut 2 (3 1/4") squares. Subcut each square on both diagonals to make 8 D triangles.

From Dark Fabric:

  • Cut 2 (3 1/4") squares. Subcut each square on both diagonals to make 8 E triangles.

Assembly

  1. Stitch a D and E triangle together along one short edge referring to Figure 1; press seam toward E. Repeat to make eight D-E units.

    Aunt Addie's Album

  2. Stitch a D-E unit to one short side of an A triangle referring to Figure 2. Stitch another D-E unit to the opposite side; press seams open. Repeat to make four A rectangle units.

    Aunt Addie's Album

  3. Stitch a C square to opposite short sides of the A rectangle to make a top/bottom row (Figure 3). Repeat to make two block top/bottom rows.

    Aunt Addie's Album

  4. Stitch an A rectangle unit to opposite sides of B matching the E side of the unit to B referring to Figure 4 to complete the block center row. Press seams open.

    Aunt Addie's Album

  5. Stitch a top/bottom row to the center row referring to the block diagram. Press seams open.

Helpful Hints

  • Choose one each light, medium and dark fabric for this block. Use scraps from other projects or purchase fat eighths (9" x 22") or fat quarters (18" x 22") to make one sample block.
  • Cut individual pieces from scraps or cut strips and then individual pieces from strips if using yardage or larg pieces of fabric. For example, to cut several 2 1/2" squares, cut a 2 1/2"-wide strip the width of the fabric. Subcut the strip into 2 1/2" squares.
  • Use a 1/4"-wide seam allowance for all seams and stitch right sides together.

Album & Signature Quilts

Album and signature quilts first became popular in the 1830s when westward expansion began from the East Coast to the wild and woolly Midwest, like Ohio and Indiana.

Early quilts were based on signatures from friends and family. Later quilts leaned toward the romantic and sentimental. And in the early 1900s, quilts included sun-printed photos and other memorabilia as well as signatures.

The blocks are designed with an open area for photos, signatures or other copied/printed memorabilia. Fabrics that can be used in computer printers, giving you the freedom to print photos or scans of art in full color, are easily available. Permanent fabric markers are available to make signature blocks colorful works of art.

Album and signature quilt blocks can be used to create a quaint and modern heirloom for family or friends commemorating special events or just friendship.

Copyright © 2014 Annie's. All rights reserved.

For more detailed help with quilting techniques, view our Quilting Lessons or consult a complete quilting guide. Your local library will probably have several on hand that you can review before purchasing one.

DOWNLOAD
Click here to download the PDF (318.7 KB)

Other quilt blocks in the series:








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