Quilt Block of the Month: March

Have you ever wanted to make a quilt but couldn't find just what you had in mind? The editors of Quilter's World have compiled some block patterns, from the thousands of traditional blocks available, that you can download for free. With a few basic skills and a variety of block patterns, you can create countless designs in no time.

A new block download will be available each month along with helpful hints, tips and tricks. We will also give you ideas for block combinations and possible quilt settings from time to time to help you create fabulous quilted projects. We hope these blocks will inspire you to experiment with quilt design and create your own layouts. So get a binder and some page protectors to fill with block patterns and samples to fuel your creative juices.

Louisiana

Finished Block Size
8" x 8"

Helpful Hints

Good pressing is essential to accurate piecing. In quilting, all seams need to be pressed before adding another piece or unit.

Pressing is the process of placing the iron on the fabric (with or without steam), lifting it off the fabric and placing it down in another location to flatten seams or crease fabric.

Ironing is moving the iron across the fabric while it is in contact with the fabric. This will stretch and distort fabric and seams, especially if you are using steam. Ironing your piecing is discouraged.

• Press on a flat, firm surface using an iron set on a temperature compatible with the fabric you are working with. Prepare your pressing surface with heat-resistant cushioning and a cotton cover, which will allow heat and steam to flow through the fabric.
• Set seams before pressing them open or to one side by pressing the seam flat with right sides together and the darker fabric on top. This helps sink the stitches into the fabric, leaving a less bulky seam after pressing to the side or open.
• Generally, seams are pressed toward the darker fabric in quilting so that the seam allowances do not show through the lighter fabric.
• Press seam allowances open when multiple seams come together. For example, in the center of the Louisiana block.
• Press seam allowances in opposite directions when matching seams. This allows them to “nest” together and distributes the seam bulk evenly. Plan your pressing when sewing blocks into rows so that the block seams are pressed in opposite directions row to row.
• To avoid distorting a bias seam, hold the iron tip at a 45-degree angle to the seam so that you are pressing on the straight grain.
• Always allow pieces to cool after pressing. This will prevent distortion of edges, especially bias ones, when working with them.
• Finger pressing is a temporary option for short seam allowances. Press with your fingers along the length of the seam allowance on the right and wrong side of the fabric in the direction desired.
• Check for more good pressing practices in your complete quilting guide.

• Choose a light, medium and dark fabric for this block. Use scraps from other projects or purchase fat eighths (9" x 22") or fat quarters (18" x 22") to make one sample block.
• Cut individual pieces from scraps or cut strips and then individual pieces from strips if using yardage or large pieces of fabric. For example, to cut several 2 1/2" squares, cut a 2 1/2"-wide strip the width of the fabric. Subcut the strip into 2 1/2" squares.
• Use a 1/4"-wide seam allowance for all seams.

For more detailed help with quilting techniques, view our Quilting Lessons or consult a complete quilting guide. Your local library will probably have several on hand that you can review before purchasing one.

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