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Quilt Block of the Month: November

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.

Devil's Claws

Finished Block Size
8" x 8"
Devil's Claws

Cutting

Note: Cutting instructions for this block will make 2 blocks.

From Light Fabric:

  • Cut 3 (5 1/4") squares. Subcut on both diagonals to make 12 A triangles.

    Devil's Claws

  • Cut 4 (2 7/8") squares. Subcut each square on 1 diagonal to make 8 B triangles.

    Devil's Claws

From Dark Fabric:

  • Cut 3 (5 1/4") squares. Subcut each square on both diagonals to make 12 C triangles.
  • Cut 4 (2 7/8") squares. Subcut each square on 1 diagonal to make 8 D triangles.

Assembly

  1. Stitch a D triangle to opposite angled sides of an A triangle to make a flying geese unit (Figure 1). Repeat to make two flying geese units.

    Devil's Claws

  2. Referring to Figure 2 for orientation, stitch two C triangles to opposite sides of an A triangle; press seams toward C triangles. Note: These will be bias edges. Handle with care. Repeat to make two A-C units.

    Devil's Claws

  3. Stitch B triangles to either end of an A-C unit making a rectangle. Repeat with second A-C unit to make two A-C-B rectangle side units.

    Devil's Claws

  4. Stitch A and C triangles together referring to Figure 4 to make a right angled triangle unit. Repeat to make two; press seams in opposite directions.

    Devil's Claws

  5. Stitch triangle units together to make a square for block center, matching seam (Figure 5).

    Devil's Claws

  6. Stitch a flying geese unit to top and bottom of block center (Figure 6).

    Devil's Claws

  7. Stitch A-C-B side units to opposite sides of block center unit referring to Figure 7 to complete block. Press seams to avoid bulk.

    Devil's Claws

Helpful Hints

  • Choose light and dark fabrics 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 large pieces of fabric. For example, to cut several 2 1/2" squares, cut a 21/2"-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.

Choices

Try reversing the lights and darks in every other block when using this block by itself in a quilt.

The simplicity of this block makes it a candidate for use as a border block. Don't just border your quilts with plain strips. Using blocks can add another dimension to your quilts you may like.

Start with something simple like this Devil's Claws block where you can pull two of the colors you have used in your quilt design just as you would with a more standard border treatment.

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 (390.6 KB)

Other quilt blocks in the series:








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