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Quilt Block of the Month: May

Have you ever wanted to make a quilt but couldn't find just what you had in mind? The editors of Quilter's World 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.

Pyramids

Finished Block Size
8" x 8" finished
Pyramids

Pyramids
8" x 8" Finished Block

Cutting

From Light Fabric 1:

  • Cut two 2 7/8" squares; subcut on one diagonal to make four A triangles.
    Pyramids
  • Cut one 2 1/2" B square.
  • Cut four 2" C squares.
    Pyramids

From Light Fabric 2:

  • Cut two 3 1/4" squares; subcut on both diagonals to make eight D triangles.
    Pyramids

From Medium Fabric:

  • Cut five 3 1/4" squares; subcut on both diagonals to make 20 E triangles.
    Pyramids

From Dark Fabric:

  • Cut four 2 7/8" squares; subcut each square on one diagonal to make eight F triangles.
    Pyramids

Assembly

  1. Stitch an E triangle to one short leg of an F triangle (Figure 1). Press seam toward E. Repeat with second E triangle on opposite short leg of F, referring again to Figure 1, to make an E-F flying geese unit.
    Pyramids
  2. Use 16 E and four each F and A triangles to make a total of four each E-F and E-A flying geese units (Figure 2).
    Pyramids
  3. Stitch one of the remaining four E triangles to B; press seam toward E. Repeat stitching an E triangle on each side of B referring to Figure 3 to make the B-E center unit.
    Pyramids
  4. Stitch together two each F triangles, A-E and F-E units and the B-E center unit to make the Pyramids block center row referring to Figure 4. Press seams away from the center unit.
    Pyramids
  5. Stitch together two each D triangles and C squares and an F-E unit referring to Figure 5 to make Row 1. Press seams toward the F-E unit. Repeat to make two rows.
    Pyramids
  6. Stitch a D triangle on opposite ends of an A-E unit (Figure 6). Press seams toward D.
    Pyramids
  7. Stitch F triangle to D-A-E, pressing seam toward F, to make a corner unit referring again to Figure 6.

  8. Repeat steps 6 and 7 to make two corner units.

  9. To complete the Pyramids block, stitch a Row 1 and corner unit to opposite sides of the center row referring to block assembly drawing (Figure 7). Press seams away from center row.
    Pyramids

Helpful Hints

  • Choose two light and one each medium 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.
Flying Geese Tips
  • Flying geese units are a staple of quilting design. In Pyramids, they help create the look of pyramids radiating out from the center of the block. You will see them used in pieced borders and star and pinwheel blocks. No matter where they appear, they move through the quilt or block just like their namesakes move through the sky.
  • In this block, the flying geese units are constructed with three equilateral triangles. There are several other ways to construct flying geese units using rectangles, squares and triangles. Consult your favorite quilting guide for other techniques.
  • When stitching flying geese made with equilateral triangles, it is important to take care with the bias edges of the triangles. By placing copy or tissue paper between the fabric and the sewing machine feed dogs, you will be less likely to stretch the bias edges. Refer to the Helpful Hints from February and March for more tips on working with bias edges and pressing before making your flying geese.

Copyright © 2013 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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