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 8" x 8" finished block 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.

Dutchman's Puzzle

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 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.
• Use common sense and press seams to cut down on bulk. Traditionally, quilters press seams toward the darker fabric. However, some blocks may benefit from pressing seams open. Pressing tips are often given in the pattern.

Choices

If you look closely at this block you will see that there is a pinwheel at the center. You can make this even more prominent by making sure that the B triangles used in these four center flying geese units are all the same color (Figure A).

Help the pinwheel "spin" by carefully planning the color placement of the B triangles within each block so that they will rotate from a dark to light value within the color family you have chosen (Figure B).

Prints can also give a design more movement. Sometimes it is as obvious as making sure that a directional print is facing the direction you want the eye to move (Figure C).

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.

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