One block modern quilt

Download this free pattern for an easy one-block modern quilt. It’s great for beginner quilters and seasoned sewists!

Island Breeze is the quilt I designed for Danielle Hartgers’s Zanzibar collection for Blank Quilting. It measures 62″ x 74″ and has 12″ blocks. Although the block looks complex, it is easy to assemble, requiring only half-square triangles. What do you think of those fabrics?

I, for one, am smitten by these prints! Danielle was inspired when she assembled this beautiful fabric collection, with geometric lines invoking tiles and natural elements in neutral tones that will complement any home decor.

My quilts are usually very bright (check this one out!). This collection, though… I can hardly wait until June when it begins shipping to stores! Check with your local quilt store to see if they will carry it.

The block I chose for Island Breeze is very simple. Make the half-square triangles eight at a time, then use the stitch-and-flip method to add squares to the rectangles. That’s it!

White was my background color of choice, so all the amazing prints could pop. It is a perfect throw size for your couch. You can also get extra fabric to make a couple of throw pillows!

Notice how I used the directional fabrics going every which way. It is fun to use them in triangles ONLY when you will not be annoyed by how the lines of the prints aren’t matching. Prints with typography can be used that way, too, provided you can live with words upside down or going sideways.

When I first began quilting, that was a big no-no. However, I have come to enjoy the added texture of directional fabrics in my quilts. Of course, I still avoid them on quilt backings unless I do not need to piece them.

Each fabric in the collection has a lot going on, but the subtle colors harmonize everything in the quilt design. The border fabric is amazing; I had to give it a special place, but this one-block modern quilt would also look great without it. You can also use a wide white border and dark binding.

Notice the secondary design emerging between the rows. That was possible because 1. I did not add sashing, and 2. The dark color on the edges of the blocks contrasts with the light color used on the corners. I like to experiment with adding or subtracting sashing, which is effortless because I work with This easy, one-block modern quilt will also look great with other prints. If you would like to mimic my design, keep the contrast on the edges of the blocks as I did. Then, send a photo of your finished quilt!

The Zanzibar collection includes this gorgeous panel. I would not add a thing to it! Looking at the panel, I remember traveling to Portugal a few years ago and seeing all the amazing tiles. Danielle’s inspiration for this collection came from an Island off the coast of Africa. No wonder it reminds me of Portugal with all the African influence in its culture.

If you would like to add blocks to this panel, I would first add a wide, light-colored border to it so the center image is still the quilt’s focal point. Then, I would choose simple blocks that feature your favorite prints from the collection or use solids that coordinate with the prints on the image.

I’ve been swamped writing patterns for many fabric collections I think you will love. I usually wait until they are ready to ship to stores before posting them here, but I could not help myself this time.

Have a great week!