Happy Wednesday! I’m releasing this month’s free block of the month pattern a day early because…well, I just can’t wait another day!
I hope you’ll join in with me as we piece a fun sampler quilt this year; patterns will be released on or around the 5th of each month. I’ll also be providing setting information for two different quilt settings a little later in the year. The blocks will each finish at 12″…and 6″! Thanks to a comment from a reader the other day I’ve decided to provide the patterns in both sizes!
I decided to use something from my stash since I’m trying hard this year to
actually use some of the fabrics I’ve been hoarding saving. I’m using a fat eighth bundle for my quilt, and you will be able to make all of the blocks using the bundle. If you decide to make the smaller blocks I recommend using scraps from your stash.
This month’s block is titled “Directions” because there are so many directions we can take at the beginning of a new year. I thought the combination of flying geese and easy corner triangle units reminded me of all of the choices available at the start of 2017.
Cutting:
January: Directions
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6” Block
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12” Block
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Fabric 1
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(4) 2” x 3 ½” rectangles
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(4) 3 ½” x 6 ½” rectangles
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Fabric 2
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(4) 2” x 3 ½” rectangles
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(4) 3 ½” x 6 ½” rectangles
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Background
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(16) 2” x 2” squares
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(16) 3 ½” x 3 ½” squares
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Begin by drawing a diagonal line from corner to corner on the wrong side of each background square.
Next, make flying geese units using a Fabric 1 rectangle and two background squares and a Fabric 2 rectangle with two background squares (if you haven’t made a flying geese unit before you can find a quick photo demonstration here).
1. Sew a background square to a print rectangle. Press out and trim. Repeat to make two using fabric 1 and two using fabric 2.
2. Sew another background square to the unit from step 1. Press out and trim. Repeat to make two from fabric 1 and two from fabric 2.
Next we will be making the easy corner triangle units. We will be using the same pieces we used for the flying geese units and will put them together just a bit differently.
3. Make two more step 1 units from Fabric 1 and two more step 1 units from Fabric 2.
4. Now add another background square to each of the units in step 3, noting the placement of your diagonal sewing line. Repeat to make two from fabric 1 and two from fabric 2.
5. Sew units together into pairs as shown below and then put the units together as shown in the block diagram. Note that you will need to arrange and turn the flying geese units and easy corner units in each fabric to match the diagram.
6. Sew all four units together to make the Directions block.
When you are making the large block you’ll have pieces left over from trimming to make (16) half-square triangles. I went ahead and trimmed mine so they are 2 ½″ unfinished.
This block is awfully cute in the 6″ size, too. I think I’m going to add mine to my Splendid Sampler quilt!
I’ve created a PDF of the instructions you can download here (this pattern is for personal use only and is not for resale…thanks)!
I think this is a fun block…I’ll be back next month with block 2!
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Jan A. says
Such a cute block. I like the 6".
Michelle says
Thanks Sherri! This is such a cute block-I can't wait to see the rest!
Hildy says
Great blocks! I'll make both versions they are too fun not to make:-)
Anina says
Such a pretty block! I'm SO tempted by this but I'm trying to stick to my resolve to finish my WIPs first.
Jeanna says
I have a fat eighth bundle that can be used but I am short on background fabric. How much background fabric do we need for each of the 6" and 12" versions? Thanks for doing this Sherri. It is going to help me bust some stash!
Mary Jo says
Thank you Sherri! I am looking forward to this❤️
Dondi Murdock says
I love it! I've printed it. Now when I am fully awake and recovered from having 7 unrelated house guests and helping with their wedding, I will make this adorable block. Yippee! Great wedding, by the way.
Little Quiltsong says
Both of your blocks are so pretty. Now to decide which size I should go with.
Patty says
HI Sherri,
Is it reasonable to assume that the remaining 2017 blocks will use a similar amount of background fabric as the amount required in Directions? Hoping to buy enough of the background fabric to avoid color dye lot issues later. Thank you so much for this BOM post!
Patty
lindak21 says
This looks like fun! Can't wait to get started on this one. Thanks for sharing these.
Rosemary B❤️ says
The little one is so cute, but I lve the colors of the biggie.
this is a pretty block. Thanks bunches for sharing
and
HNY 🙂
Joan says
Thank you for sharing these lovely blocks. Looking forward to next month!
Terry Helms says
I love this. I'm going to do the 6in block, that way I can set it into a larger block, like a shoo-fly or Ohio star. I've been wanting to try that, but the opportunity/inspiration never quite hit me. Thank you for taking the time to provide the two block sizes for us.
Rose in IN says
This is a great block, and I have lots of stash fabrics that need to be used. Thank you!
kshackabq says
Thank you, Sherri. I'm liking the 6-inch block. A lot! Happy 2017!
Wavy Quilter says
Thanks so much for offering the 6" version too! More flexibility for stash busting, which ties in beautifully with your Budget Friendly sewing post…awesome!!!
Christine Pierson says
This is a nice pattern to make, thank you.
Donna F says
The block looks like one I could make. I am wondering what was the comment that was removed. Maybe it was just about how the block was put together. There is always someone who thinks she has a better way to make a block.
Happy Creating
Cheree @ That Morning Latte says
I already have my quilts lined up to make this year but this will be great to work with on the side–and to have ready for a Christmas gift in Dec! Working on getting my fabrics/scheme lined up today (and hopefully starting). Thanks!
desertskyquilts says
One of my favorite blocks, and I like both fabric sets you showed for it.
Lucy says
I just love the block and thanks for the 6 inch instructions. I can use up my scraps and really don't like to make 12 inch. I will try and use the same colors you choose.
Robin in MN says
So, so cute and thanks for sharing these blocks! My question tho – is there a printer friendly version or pdf form so we can keep the patterns as they are released?
Geri A says
Thank you so much for the free pattern. As a senior on a fixed income, it is not always easy to buy new patterns. This is much appreciated and it is darling, to top it off!!
Pauline Perry says
Thanks so much for sharing your blocks each month – this January one is awesome! It's great to have two sizes too.
Pauline
perry94022 at hotmail dot com
Nena says
Hello – thank you for this quilt-a-long I am excited to dive in! May you please post the amount of fabric (most particularly the background fabric) needed to complete the quilt for both sizes? I also note that you have fat eighth but I know that differs in amount of prints per designer – so I wondered how many fat eighths are needed to have a large variety of prints for this quilt? Thank you so much; I love your blog.
Hilarie Jackson says
I love the blue and white colors but could you tell me the name of the bundle that is shown just below the squares?
Thanks,
Hilarie Jackson
hbj53@yahoo.com