Free quilt block patterns for a sampler quilt

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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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?

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.

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,