It’s been a week since we dropped youngest daughter off at college. She sounds like she is settling in and making new friends, and already enjoying the challenge of her classes. I think she is adjusting better than my husband and I are! It is too quiet here, and I miss her terribly. I miss her sweet face and her clever & hilarious wit. I still haven’t gotten used to the fact that my older daughter got married over a year ago- I hate it! I just want to stop time and have them here with me again… but I guess I can’t do that, so I am just trying to stay busy. Today is oldest daughter’s birthday, so we are going out to dinner tonight with her and our son-in-law. I am looking forward to it! I love spending time with my kids- and I’m so glad that they don’t seem to mind spending time with us!
Anyway… I really like the block I am sharing with you today. It looks complicated, but it’s really not. It is simply half-square triangles and rectangles. When you put a bunch of blocks together, you can make some really cool quilts. This tutorial will show you how to make a single 12″ (12 1/2″ unfinished) block. The number of blocks you need to make will depend on what kind of quilt you want to make. Of course, you can just make a single block and use it in a sampler quilt, or as a pillow or potholder (click here for a quilted potholder tutorial). The fabrics shown are from my Fruitful Hands Fabric line.
With this block, you can make quilts like these:
For this quilt, make 12 blocks, sew them into 3 rows of 4 blocks each, then add 2″ of white sashing between the rows. Then add a 2″ white border, and then a 3″ red border.
For this one, make 36 blocks and sew into 6 rows of 6 blocks each (all the blocks going the same way.) Sew the rows together. Add a 1″ white border, then a 4″ red border and green binding. Done!
Here is how to make this block:
White- cut 4 squares each 3 7/8″
Red Floral- cut 4 squares each 3 7/8″
Cut these squares in half diagonally to create 8 triangles each:
Cut a strip, 2″ x about 15″, from each of the following fabrics: Orange Dot, Green Floral, Red Texture, Green Texture:
(Don’t worry about cutting off selvedges now.)
Sew the strips together along long edges:
(Funny how the cat isn’t really interested in me unless I am trying to get something done…..)
Trim off the selvedges and cut this unit into 4 units, each 3 1/2″ wide:
Sew the red and white triangles together into 8 squares (sorry I forgot to photo this step!!)
Sew 4 of the squares into pairs like this, and then sew the pairs into a square:
Sew the remaining 4 squares to the ends of 2 of the strip units (note that the red triangle is adjacent to the green rectangle, and the white triangle is adjacent to the orange rectangle):
Sew the remaining 2 strip units to the large square:
Sew the block together as shown above.
I hope you will give this block a try! Happy Weekend!
Post Note: Someone asked in the comments about fabric requirements to make 12 blocks. Those listed below do not include sashing, borders, binding, etc. I have not actually made 12 blocks, but these fabric requirements are taken from my design program, so they should be accurate.
White 3/4 yard
Red Floral 3/4 yard
Orange Dot 3/8 yard
Green Floral 3/8 yard
Red Texture 3/8 yard
Green Texture 3/8 yard
Love your fabric!! love this block!! Who it is now on my list of bookmarked projects to do!! man that list is getting long! I may have to just do a sampler, one block from each project!! lol
I totally understand what you are talking about with your daughters.
Feeling exactly the same having sent Adam our youngest off to college, other 2 are on their own, but daughter getting married in Nov. At least she is staying local, as is our older son!! Small blessings!! I know it is the right way of life, to let them go and grow up, but it is hard.
Sadly, Sandy, I guess we know we’ve done our jobs well when they are able to leave the nest! It’s not easy, though.
A sampler quilt is a great idea! Then you can get a bunch of your projects off of your to-do list in one shot!
Beautiful quilt Jacquelynne and great tutorial! Those are really neat fabrics too!
Thanks, Connie! I do really like the colors in it- even though the name says “Autumn,” I think it would be pretty any time of year :)
Mmm that quilt block just makes me want crunchy leaves and pumpkin spice lattes… I’m so glad that fall is coming, and that now I have a project to get started on for it! Thanks!
I know what you mean, Julie- I honestly haven’t done a ton of sewing this summer, but the cooler weather and shorter days really put me in the mood to “hunker down” in my sewing room & drink lots of tea!
Thanks for the block directions. I love it and the fabric you used to make it.
Thanks, Joanna! I hope you will find some time to try it out, and send me photos of your project if you do :)
Oh dear….you have sent the “make this block” bug to bite me! I want to make that right away, but my sewing area is topsy turvy right now! Hubby suggested a new way to arrange our basement, and I will have one of the older desks for my sewing table! I have some scraps of that line….I just HAVE to make this!
Ha ha Jacque- sometimes you have to take the time to get organized before you work on your projects. It’s hard to wait to work on something you love, but I think that once you take the time to get organized, your creative time is much more productive and enjoyable… Good luck getting that basement and sewing room done!
I just love your site!! Thank you for sharing your block I can’t wait to start a quilt!!!
Like you I have my baby off to the Air Force Academy, miss him lots but,he will have the experience of a life time!! And that makes us happy knowing he’s happy!!!
Hi Patty,
Thanks, I’m glad you like my site! It’s a lot easier when they go away if you know they are happy and having a good time. It’s heartbreaking when you get those calls telling you how unhappy they are! So far we have not had much of that, our daughter seems to be settling in. But we are all excited that she is coming home for the weekend next week!!
Jacque –
I really like this pattern and the options, but need help on knowing how much fabric is required for 12 blocks. Help please.
Sherry, here are fabric requirements for 12 blocks. They do not include sashing, borders, binding, etc. I have not actually made 12 blocks, but these fabric requirements are taken from my design program, so they should be accurate.
White 3/4 yard
Red Floral 3/4 yard
Orange Dot 3/8 yard
Green Floral 3/8 yard
Red Texture 3/8 yard
Green Texture 3/8 yard
Hi,
thanks for the tutorial. I am a beginner and I am making 12.5″ blocks, cut down when finished to 12″, so this block is perfect. Please can you let me know the width to sew the seams as I realise that if I make them too wide then the block will end up less than 12″?
Thank you,
Alison.
Hi Alison, the seam allowance is 1/4″. Have fun :)
I use love your tutorials, they help so much! Thanks for sharing. House is lonely without kids uh! Yup miss mine too. Oh my cat does the same thing, but when sewing he lays in front and grabs the material!! Always helping! Thanks again!!
Love this pattern…printer don’t work…could I buy your pattern and you send it to me?
This pattern is just beautiful. Looking forward to making it. Thank you.
Love this block and to look at your photo (of you), the block IS YOU. So cheery and beautiful. I have printed it because I am going to make yet another throw pillow…#13, eek, no more room to sit on my sofa, but I love all of you gals that share so I make ‘block’ pillows and label the backs with the name of the designer! So make yourself comfortable, on my sofa or chaise :) Thank you ♥
Me parece genial. la combinación de colores es muy armoniosa
THIS IS the most attractive website I have Ever seen. God bless you for all your talent and love!!
Pretty block and looks easy to sew up accurately and quickly! Another quilt I want to make!? I had both my kids home this past Saturday! I made a big dinner and baked pies & just enjoyed their company so much, talking, eating, drinking wine, laughing. Sigh.
Love this block, and your fabric, thank you.
My all my children are grown and live hours away. We still miss having them in our home, especially now with the virus.
Jacquelynne , I simply love your autumn Jewel box block. Is there a place the tutorial can be printed. Appreciate your good crafting and quilting ideas. Thanks.