Firewheel quilt block

Sometimes I just like to stick to the obvious colours that seem to call out to me. In the case of the Firewheel quilt block, this was no exception. I envisioned a fireball brightening up the night sky.

Firewheel quilt block

This quilt block is an eight patch featuring common pieced patches -- half square triangles and flying geese units. None of these patches are difficult to sew, but care must be taken to sew an accurate quarter inch seam allowance due to the large number of cut pieces in this block. The good news is that you will be creating a stunning quilt.
The two sample quilts shown on this page are just ideas that you might like for your quilt, or perhaps you are all set to design your own. Whatever the case, you will certainly have fun in the process.

Quilts designed using the FIREWHEEL quilt block

<sub>All images © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com

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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

<sub>All images © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com

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Four Crowns quilt block

At first glance, you might not like this quilt block called Four Crowns, as it has a "directional" nature to it. Some might think that that will limit your options in the resultant quilt. I say that it is quite the contrary. Directional quilt blocks open up all sorts of interesting design possibilities.

Four Crowns quilt block

This Four Crowns quilt block is a four patch and is constructed entirely of half square triangles, in two different sizes. This is the perfect block to use to practice up on the most commonly used quilt patch.

The two sample quilts shown below give you ideas of how the directional aspect of this quilt block can work to create a wide variety of different quilt layouts. I would be interested in seeing some that you can design as well.

Quilts designed using the FOUR CROWNS quilt block

<sub>All images © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com

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Ribbon Star quilt block

The Ribbon Star is another quilt block that is sort of an optical illusion. The "ribbon" folds around the star, and you see the "right side" of the fabric and the "underside" of the fabric. This effect is created by using different values of the same colour family.

Ribbon Star quilt block

You might also be interested in these other examples of what I would call "optical illusion" quilt blocks.

• Folded Corners
• Formal Frame
• Garden Square

The two sample quilts shown below are both created with the blocks set on point, but are, as you can see, very different. Isn't it interesting how a few subtle changes of colour placement make such a change?

Quilts designed using the RIBBON STAR quilt block

<sub>All images © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com

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Blazing Star quilt block

The Blazing Star quilt block is not for the beginner -- but I say that with a caveat. There is nothing difficult in the making of this block -- it just contains lots of pieces and therefore, you must be able to sew a precise quarter inch seam allowance. That's it! So, if you can do that, then this block is a lovely addition to your collection of Star quilt blocks or Biblical quilt blocks and more.

Blazing Star quilt block

This quilt block is technically an eight patch as it is designed on an 8 x 8 grid. However, I have taken a few liberties in the number of cut pieces (why have more seams than necessary?) and chose to construct the block as an uneven nine patch, for the ease in the sewing.


The two sample quilts shown below use standard block settings -- an on point setting with sashing strips and setting triangles for more "pop"-- and a side by side layout that produces a tiny secondary pattern between the blocks.

Quilts designed using the BLAZING STAR quilt block

<sub>All images © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com

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Mrs. Keller's Nine Patch quilt block

I have no idea who Mrs. Keller was, but this quilt block is quite striking, so I am going to go out on a limb and assume that she was too!

Mrs.Keller's Nine Patch quilt block

This quilt block is technically a five patch as it is designed on a 5 x 5 grid. (Due to the colour choices I made, it is difficult to see the nine patch that is the centre of the block. Can you see it?) And, to add more intrigue, it is sewn in "chunks" in a manner of an uneven nine patch -- just for ease in construction.



The two sample quilts illustrated below are both designed with quilt blocks set on point. However, just with changing up a few features, two very different quilts emerge.

Quilts designed using the MRS. KELLER'S NINE PATCH quilt block

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Toad in the Puddle quilt block

You just have to wonder who comes up with these names for quilt blocks. This is a perfect example. But, who am I to quibble?

I like this four patch quilt block because it offers up the perfect choice for using your scraps, as I did in this sample block. I chose a light coloured background fabric, but this would be striking in a dark fabric too -- as long as there is lots of contrast between that dark background and the remaining scrappy fabrics.

Toad in the Puddle quilt block

Flying geese patches and half square triangles are the only units in this simple quilt block. By breaking the block into quadrants and then sewing many different groupings, you can then arrange and rearrange the sections to make a variety of interesting blocks.


The two sample quilts illustrated are both created using standard quilt block settings -- side by side blocks or blocks set on point with additional setting triangles.

Quilts designed using the TOAD IN THE PUDDLE quilt block

<sub>All images © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com

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Pinwheel Star quilt block

Who doesn't immediately smile when you think of a pinwheel? For some reason, I think of days at the fair or getting one of these whirling treasures at a birthday party when I was a child.

Pinwheel Star quilt block

So, today's featured quilt block is the Pinwheel Star. This quilt block is comprised of half square triangles and flying geese patches. It is actually a small nine patch block within a larger block -- constructed as an uneven nine patch -- so you get twice the fun in the construction.

The two sample quilts illustrated both use standard on point settings, but each has its own special charm and look very different.

Quilts designed using the PINWHEEL STAR quilt block

<sub>All images © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com

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