Mexican Star quilt block

The Mexican Star quilt block utilizes a quilt patch that is often called a three quarter square triangle unit by quilters. This quilt patch uses three right angled triangles inside a square. The learning part in sewing this unit is that you use both half square triangles and quarter square triangles. This seems strange until you realize that it is always favourable to have the straight grain of the triangle fabric on the outermost edge. Whenever possible you do not want to have a bias edge on the outer edge of a patch.  As you construct this patch you will understand what I mean.

Mexican Star quilt block

The construction of this quilt block is done in what I call "chunks" and then arranged as a uneven nine patch block (so named because it is constructed as a nine patch but with uneven rows).


I liked this quilt block for its simplicity and because it has an often underused patch (in my opinion) -- the three quarter square triangle as I mentioned above.

The two sample quilts shown below are constructed with common settings of the blocks. I just really liked how all of the colours came together.

Quilts designed using the MEXICAN STAR quilt block

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Auntie's Puzzle quilt block

The Auntie's Puzzle quilt block is a simple five patch featuring squares and half square triangles. Those are the first patches you will learn to use as a beginner quilter, and that is because these are the most commonly used units in quiltmaking.

Auntie's Puzzle quilt block

After having described this block as a five patch, I then change it up because my personal preference for constructing the block is as an uneven nine patch simply because I like to work with "chunks" rather than in rows. (However, if you prefer to work in rows, then that is perfectly fine as well.)

The Auntie's Puzzle quilt block is also a "member" of a group of blocks that are directional in nature. This opens up all sorts of interesting ideas for quilt designs by rotating some of the blocks by 90 degrees, which often results in creating a secondary pattern. If you look closely at the quilt shown on the left you will see "stars" forming when using groups of four blocks. Switching up the colour options and/or including an additional colour can make this feature stand out even more.

Quilts designed using the AUNTIE'S PUZZLE quilt block

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Cupid's Arrow Point quilt block

It's that time of year again when cherubs are getting ready to flex their bows. How appropriate that I have just the quilt block for you to make for this special day -- Cupid's Arrow Point.

Cupid's Arrow Point quilt block

This quilt block has something for everyone. It is a pretty block that is constructed as an uneven nine patch, for ease in sewing. And ... it is a choice to make when you are wanting to practice sewing some of the patches that you don't use for many a quilt block -- namely the square in a square as well as quarter square triangles. There are also lots of flying geese patches, but those are more commonly used.

I really like the surprises that appeared as I was designing the two sample quilts illustrated below. I am a lover of plaid and was delighted to see that these quilts looked like different arrangements of the same plaid. Can you see it too?

Quilts designed using the CUPID'S ARROW POINT quilt block

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Memory quilt block

The Memory quilt block is a nine patch that features only patches that you learn as you first start your quiltmaking journey. The pieced units are half square triangles and flying geese. I would suggest that it is difficult to find a patchwork quilt these days that does not contain one or both of these patches.

Memory quilt block

I chose to make this star quilt block as a controlled scrappy version. By that I mean, that you see three different colour values -- (light, medium and dark) -- but the overall look is that it retains a certain colour palette -- different shades of rust and yellow. I did keep the background fabric the same throughout, but you could easily use different scraps of a similar colour as well.


The two sample quilts shown below use standard layouts of the blocks. I wanted to focus in on the "blazing star" so chose simple settings of the blocks. I wonder what you will come up with in your personal quilt?

Quilts designed using the MEMORY quilt block

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Christmas Star quilt block

I'm a person who likes traditions -- especially old traditions -- and so, this Christmas Star quilt block is designed with the colours of the season.

Christmas Star quilt block

This quilt block is a little more challenging that other star blocks you might make, but the only difficulty in making this block lies in the number of pieces. So, with careful attention to your quarter inch seam allowance, this block should go together with ease. You get to use a patch that is underused (in my opinion) -- that being what quilters refer to as a three quarter square triangle patch. This patch is constructed using both half square triangles as well as quarter square triangles in order to place the three triangles within the square, and leave no bias edges on the outer raw edges of the patches. Oh, and there are also a few of my favourite patches included as well -- the flying geese patch.

The two sample quilts illustrated use basic settings of the blocks. The only extra "ingredient" in the on point quilt setting is the extra colourful blank blocks for quilting designs.

Quilts designed using the CHRISTMAS STAR quilt block

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Cut Glass Dish quilt block

Cut Glass Dish is a quilt block that lends itself perfectly to creating designs for your quilt by rotating the blocks by 90 degree increments to create secondary patterns.

Cut Glass Dish quilt block

This nine patch block is an easy one to construct as it contains only squares and the first patch you will learn as a new quiltmaker -- the half square triangle.
The two sample quilts shown below -- as mentioned above -- illustrate how you can make some really stunning geometric quilts just by rotating some of the blocks.

Quilts designed using the CUT GLASS DISH quilt block

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All Hallows quilt block

A quilt block that is perfect for Halloween. The All Hallows block features lots of half square triangles and flying geese patches.

All Hallows quilt block

This nine patch block and it is a perfect choice for new quilters to move on and really practice up that quarter inch seam allowance. Not only are there lots of patches, but fabric/colour placement is key to make this block really stand out. And who doesn't love a pinwheel? (Okay, maybe that is just the kid in me speaking!) :-)


The two sample quilts illustrated below continue on with a mostly dark background, just for the effect of a Halloween night. What was interesting to me was that, depending on your chosen layout of the blocks, a secondary pattern can emerge. I'd be interested in seeing what you can come up with.

Quilts designed using the ALL HALLOWS quilt block

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Z Cross quilt block

The Z Cross quilt block is perfect for anyone who is new to quiltmaking. It is also a really fun block for those who have been making quilts for years.

Z CROSS quilt block

The block is technically a five patch (since it is designed on a 5 x 5 grid). But, for any of you who follow this blog, you know that I generally prefer to construct a five patch block as an uneven nine patch instead. Then end result is the same, but it is just an easier method -- in my opinion. Squares and half square triangles are the only patches used in this block -- the most commonly used patches in quiltmaking.


I was pleasantly surprised when I started designing the sample quilts using this easy quilt block. This just reinforces my thought that just because a block uses simple patches does not mean the resultant quilts have to be boring. What do you think?

Quilts designed using the Z CROSS quilt block

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Amish Star quilt block

Another easy quilt block that is perfect for the beginner. (But don't think you can't make a dramatic quilt using only simple blocks -- not so.) A case in point is the Amish Star block which uses only the most basic patches in quiltmaking.

Amish Star quilt block

Featured patches in this nine patch block are simple squares and rectangles and then you will move on to half square triangles and flying geese units. Quilters use these same patches over and over and over again making all sorts of wonderful designs.

The quilts illustrated use two different examples of on point settings. One uses blank blocks to feature your exquisite quilting, while the second design covers the whole surface and separates the blocks with sashing strips. Just a "drop in the bucket" of designs you can come up with too.

More STAR quilt block patterns

Quilts designed using the AMISH STAR quilt block

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King's Crown quilt block

The King's Crown quilt block is technically a six patch (as it is designed using a 6 x 6 grid), but it is constructed as an uneven nine patch due to the large centre patch that takes up a great deal of the design.

King's Crown quilt block

The centre unit is known as a square in a square patch. With the centre section being so large, this is the perfect spot to place a motif that has been "fussy cut" from a large fabric. It would also be a wonderful spot to place a photograph that has been transferred to fabric.


To finish off the patches to create, you will make a number of half square triangles as well as a few flying geese units. All in all, this block is a great learning experience, if you are new to quiltmaking.

The two sample quilts illustrated are both designed using on point settings. This just gives you ideas of how very different two quilts can be when using identical blocks.

Quilts designed using the KING'S CROWN quilt block

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Best of All quilt block

The Best of All quilt block is one designed to give you lots of practice with various patches. (Okay -- perhaps that was not the reason for the design, but it is a block with interesting components.)

Best of All quilt block

Half square triangle patches and flying geese units are pretty common in hundreds (and probably thousands) of quilt blocks. But, the interest in this block (from a sewing perspective) is the unit that is sitting adjacent to the centre patch, on all four sides. You get to add quarter square triangles to two sides of a square (the small peach square) and then finish off the patch with larger half square triangles (dark grey) on each end. (Hard to explain, but if you look closely at the block you will understand what I mean.)


The two sample quilts shown are both designed on point with sashing strips separating the blocks. By simply changing up the placement of the pieced blocks and the blank blocks, you get two totally different looks.

Quilts designed using the BEST OF ALL quilt block

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Joseph's Coat quilt block

This block is for me! I say that because I just love colour -- and the story tells that Joseph had this amazing coat of many colours. So, naturally I had to design the Joseph's Coat quilt block as a scrappy version with lots and lots of colour. This is a perfect choice to use up all of those scraps in your fabric stash.

Joseph's Coat quilt block

It's important that you have a definite light and dark fabric to give the eye a rest after gazing at all of those colours. (You might even reverse the placement of the light and dark just for a different look.)


This quilt block gives you lots of practice in sewing three different patches -- half square triangles, quarter square triangles and the square in a square patch, but the easy part is in constructing it all as an uneven nine patch block.

I had so much fun playing around with this block that I designed four different sample quilts. Here are two of them below, but you will need to check out the pattern to see the other two ideas.

Sample quilts using the Joseph's Coat quilt block

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Grandmother's Choice quilt block

Earlier this week we looked at celebrating Dads with the Father's Choice quilt block. Today, it is all about Grandma.

Grandmother's Choice quilt block

This is an easy five patch block. It uses half square triangles in two different sizes and that is the extent of the difficulty in this quilt block.


Although this block is technically a five patch (because it is designed on a 5 x 5 grid) it also falls into the category of uneven nine patch due to the size of the patches -- often covering two rows of that five row grid.

The two sample quilts illustrated both use on point settings of the block but give you different looking quilts in the end. The choices of block layout are endless and you just need to use your imagination. Enjoy!

Quilts designed using the Grandmother's Choice quilt block

Keeping it in the Family

~ Father's Choice
~ Mother's Choice
~ Sister's Choice
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Father's Choice quilt block

Last month we celebrated our Moms. Now it is time to recognize those great men in our lives -- Dads. The Father's Choice quilt block might be just what you are looking for.

Father's Choice quilt block

I chose this subtle colour scheme since most of the Dads I know like blue and grey. However, if your Dad has another favourite colour, don't be shy in expressing it in this five patch quilt block. The only pieced patch required is the half square triangle and the rest of the patches are squares. This is a quick and easy block to make.



The two sample quilts illustrated are both using an on point setting of the block. But as you can see, by careful placement of the blocks and choosing other features such as sashing or extra, blank blocks you can achieve very different looks.

Quilts designed using the Father's Choice quilt block

Similar quilt blocks - Keeping it all in the Family

~ Farmer's Daughter 
~ Grandmother's Choice
~ Sister's Choice

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