Spring has sprung - There are "Birds in the Air"

The Birds in the Air quilt block has endless possibilities. At first glance it seems ... nice ... but nothing special. Well, that is where you are wrong.

"Birds in the Air" quilt block

Using 90 degree rotations of the blocks, you can achieve all sorts of quilt layouts. Adding sashing to your quilt will provide additional interest. This four patch quilt block is made entirely of half square triangles, using two different sizes of those triangles. By experimenting with colour placement of the triangles ... well ... the sky is the limit of how your quilt can differ from another quilter's project.

Download the free quilt block pattern.

Today's "Ah Ha" Moment

• "Did you ever see an unhappy horse? Did you ever see a bird that had the blues? One reason why birds and horses are not unhappy is because they are not trying to impress other birds and horses."
  ~ Dale Carnegie

_{'Birds in the Air' image © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com}

Three more new quilt blocks in February

By this time you will be noting that half square triangles are a very common component in many quilt blocks. Here is more evidence.

• My Fancy - My version uses some flying geese patches to replace a few of the half square triangles so there are less seams and therefore less bulk in the block.


• Birds in the Air could be considered a study in the use of half square triangles, since that is the only type of patch used in the block.


• Lady of the Lake is a great example of the use of colour value, as there are definite dark and light components to the block.

_{Quilt block images © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com}