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Quilt Block of the Month: October

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.

Flowerpot II

Finished Block Size
8" x 8"
Flowerpot II

Cutting

From Light Fabric:

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

    Flowerpot II


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

    Flowerpot II

From Light 2 Fabric:

  • Cut 1 (4 1/2") C square.

    Flowerpot II

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

From Medium Fabric:

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

From Dark Fabric:

  • Cut 3 (3 1/4") squares. Subcut each square on both diagonals to make 12 F triangles.

Assembly

  1. Stitch a B and E triangle together along the long angled edge referring to Figure 1; press E away from C. Make a total of four B-E half-square units.

    Flowerpot II

  2. Repeat with A and F triangles to make four A-F units referring again to Figure 1. Note: These are bias edges and will stretch if not handled carefully.

  3. Stitch an A and D triangle together along one straight edge referring to Figure 2, press D away from A. Repeat to make a total of four A-D units and four reversed A-D units.

    Flowerpot II

  4. Stitch an F triangle short side to an A side of an A-F half-square unit (Figure 3); press F away from A-F unit. Stitch another F triangle to the adjacent A side and press away from A referring again to Figure 3 to complete an A-F corner unit. Repeat to make a total of four units.

    Flowerpot II

  5. Stitch an A-D unit to one angled side of each A-F corner unit and a reversed A-D unit to the remaining angled side (Figure 4); press seams toward A-D units. Repeat to make four.

    Flowerpot II

  6. Stitch B-E half-square units to opposite short ends of two units made in step 5 to make top and bottom rows (Figure 5).

    Flowerpot II

  7. Stitch two remaining step 5 units to opposite sides of C to make center block row (Figure 6).

    Flowerpot II

  8. To complete block, stitch center block row between top and bottom rows matching seams and referring to Figure 7. Press seams to minimize bulk.

    Flowerpot II

Helpful Hints

  • Choose one each medium and dark fabric and two light 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

Just like February's Double X block, the Flowerpot II block has a large open area that works well in signature or memory quilts. Besides signatures, messages or photos, another option is to "fussy cut" large prints to fill the open areas. To fussy cut, make a template 2" larger than the size of the finished fussy-cut shape.

Flowerpot II

Cut out the center of the shape giving you a viewing window template the finished size of the patch/piece (4" in this block).

Flowerpot II

Use this window to "audition" areas of the fabric to appear in the shape.

Flowerpot II

When happy with the fabric motif in the viewing window, trace around the inside of the window using a water-soluble marker. Add a 1/4" seam allowance around the traced area and cut out the shape.

Flowerpot II

Copyright © 2015 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.

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