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Free quilt block patterns for a sampler quilt

By Denise Russell

If you subscribe to my newsletter you are getting free quilt block patterns for a sampler quilt. They are all 12-inch blocks and come with instructions for speedy construction. I have designed 5 exclusive blocks already and here they are.

Free quilt block patterns

This is block 1. I decided to make them all this weekend using the fat quarters I have from the Gretel collection (by Riley Blake Designs) that I am using on another project – you know, the one with the star quilt blocks my friends Deb, Lisa, and I are slowly making. Since I have two fat quarter bundles, I think this collection will work for both quilts.

Block 1 is made up of half-square triangles and flying geese. With every newsletter, you receive a link to download the instructions for the block featured. I am designing the blocks on EQ8 and have not used them in any other projects yet.

The blocks you receive do not showcase any collection in particular. Follow the value of the colors I place on each patch so you can achieve the same results, regardless of the colorway you choose.

Free quilt block patterns

Block 2 has a fun color placement: the center block mimics the half-square triangles all around it. Although the instructions are for one block, you can make an entire quilt with that block and just have to figure out how much fabric you will need.

This is how I assemble the blocks: I put together the building parts and then, depending on the block, I assemble the center, its sides, then the top and bottom rows. Sometimes, I need to proceed by stitching the parts column by column. Whichever way I do it, I try to chain-piece everything to save on time and thread.

Free quilt block patterns

This is Block 3 and you have at least two ways of putting it together because the top and bottom rows can be made with three flying geese instead of one flying geese and four half-square triangles as I did. Just pay attention to where you are placing the fabrics you chose…

… because, at first, I did not and the block did not look like the one I had designed (dark red, lighter red or pink, much lighter pink or red). So, Jack, the Ripper came out of its slumbering place and helped me deconstruct the thing.

What a sorry sight, but I had to do it. It would not usually bother me if I weren’t trying to make each block exactly as I had designed it, as both look fine. Except, one version you are already familiar with, and the other is fresh and my own.

As I explained in my last newsletter, color (fabric) placement is as much a part of the design as the squares, triangles, etc. A long-loved block will look totally different when you change the fabrics and colors around.

Free quilt block patterns

Block 3 has been a popular one with you! As I said above, there are a few ways to assemble a block. Notice how the seams ‘ate’ the points of the top and of the bottom yellow flying geese, while the white and blue ones are all perfect. The difference is in the construction!

My mom says you should not try an untested recipe when you are hosting a party because it may not turn out well. On this block, I experimented with two construction methods (should have kept my experiment for a block I did not need to use!): the outside units were made using the No Waste method, and the yellow units were made with the regular three-triangles method, or whatever it is called. With the latter, it is not guaranteed that you will have enough white fabric above the yellow triangle tip for a 1/4″ seam allowance. Oh well. After deconstructing the previous block, I decided I had to live with this one.

So far, you have three free quilt block patterns. Let me stop here to show you the No Waste Flying Geese method in case you have never used it. It is great for when you are making many units for a flying geese quilt and the math is straightforward.

No Waste Flying Geese
Graphic Copyright 2019. Pieced Brain Quilt Designs. No Waste Flying Geese.

No Waste Flying Geese method:

Let’s suppose you need to make flying geese that finish at 3″ x 6″ (that is, once stitched and as part of the block, if you take a measuring tape and check its size, it will be 3″ x 6″). Do this: add 7/8″ to the height of the flying geese [3″ + 7/8″ = 3-7/8″] – that will be the size of the small squares you will cut (the white ones on the graphic above). Now, add 1-1/4″ to the finished width of the units [6″ + 1-1/4″ = 7-14″] – that will be the size of the large square you will cut (the green ones above).

  1. Mark a diagonal line on the wrong side of the 3-7/8” White squares. With right sides together, place two marked White squares on opposite corners of one 7-1/4” Green square, making sure drawn lines are intersecting in the middle and noting that the corners of the small squares will overlap.
  2. Stitch ¼” on each side of the marked line (a);
  3. cut on the drawn line (b);
  4. and press each unit open (c).
  5. Place one more marked White square on the corner of each unit, stitch as before (d), and cut.
  6. Press the seams open (e) to make four 3-1/2” x 6-1/2” flying-geese units. Repeat with the remaining 3-7/8” White and the 7-1/4” Green squares to make all the flying-geese units you need.

The top left flying geese has the ears untrimmed on purpose for you to see that it needs to be done as the last step. Pretty easy, right?

Free quilt block patterns

Block 5 is the last of the free quilt block patterns I have designed up to now. Since I was slowly choosing the fabrics, I cut all the squares into triangles as the instructions required to make the hourglass blocks.

These fabrics are so dang cute! The photo above shows you how I put it all together. All these quilt blocks are easy to make and the sampler quilt (a mystery to me and to you!) will turn out beautiful, I am sure. I have not designed the final layout because there is still time since I am planning on creating 12 blocks in total.

Free quilt block patterns

These are the blocks you have received. I try to send one block out every two weeks or so. If you are making them or made a project using any or all of them, send me photos and I will post them here and in the next newsletter.

I do send you layout ideas for projects with each block as additional inspiration, and I hope you like them. I am thinking I will design 13 instead of 12, just in case you were not too crazy about one of them and would like to swap it for another one. Baker’s dozen!

To receive the newsletter, just sign up to get my emails. You never know what you will get: free quilt patterns, shoutouts about sales, advance notices of pattern release… or free quilt block patterns!

Have a great day,

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Filed Under: free quilt pattern, Tutorials Tagged With: flying geese, how to make flying geese, modern quilt blocks, modern quilts, quilt block, quilt tutorial, sampler quilt, scrappy quilt

Get free quilt patterns and tutorials, as well as blocks and quilts designed exclusively for subscribers.

Find out what is trending in the quilting world and learn new techniques to take your quilting to the next level!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Josefina says

    at

    I love the no-waste method. I have been using that method for years since I first learned it. I love the blocks. Thank you for sharing.

    I am collecting your blocks until I finish the embroidery quilt I am making. Between making face masks and quilting/embroidering blocks, I barely have time to spend with my retired hubby.

    I could email you a photo of the blocks I have embroidered so far from the pattern Bee-utiful Quilt by Pamela Gordon for Moda Bake Shop.

    • Denise Russell says

      at

      Josefina,
      This method has become my best friend since I learned it. Whoever invented it, I wish her/him lots of health and inspiration! Yes, send me a photo of your embroidered blocks!

  2. DIANE RAINES says

    at

    So glad I found this the blocks are pretty. Thanks so much.

    • Denise Russell says

      at

      Cool! They are fun to make and soon we should have a pretty quilt!

  3. Joyce Carter says

    at

    Hi Denise. I love these blocks. I am a big fan of sampler quilts and have been making different blocks for a while. Thank you for offering these free patterns to us. I will be signing up for your newsletter. (Ummm–just for the record, if you would like to design more, it wouldn’t hurt my feelings at all. . LOL)

    • Denise Russell says

      at

      Ha! Maybe I will make more than 12!

  4. Patricia Cash says

    at

    I like all 5 blocks. How do I get the instrustions? I have your news letter.

  5. Monique D (Belgique) says

    at

    Merci pour ce partage.
    Ce n’et pas tout à fait la méthode que j’utilise mais elle s’en approche. Je vais essayer celle que tu préconises mais pour le vols d’oie peut-elle se réaliser à la main car je ne fais que très rarement de courtepointes à la machine.
    Amicalement

    • Denise Russell says

      at

      Monique,
      Yes, the flying geese can be stitched together by hand. The No Waste method has been my favorite lately but you can choose the method you like the best!

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Denise Russell

Hello, I’m Denise and I love to design and make quilts. You can also find me knitting, crocheting, and making other crafts. Join me!
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The links above and some of the links in my posts are affiliate links: if you click on the link and decide to purchase something, I may receive a commission. I often receive books from publishers so I can review them on my blog and, at times, I may receive products to use and write about my experience with them. Read my privacy policy.

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