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Quilt Block of the Month: December

Have you ever wanted to make a quilt but couldn't find just what you had in mind? The editors of Quilter's World magazine 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 8" x 8" finished block 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.

Four Knaves

Finished Block Size
8" x 8"
Four Knaves

Cutting

From Light Fabric:

  • Cut 1 (4 7/8") square. Subcut on 1 diagonal to make 2 A triangles.

    Four Knaves


  • Cut 1 (2 7/8") square. Subcut on 1 diagonal to make 2 B triangles.


From Light 2 Fabric:

  • Cut 1 (4 7/8") square. Subcut on 1 diagonal to make 2 C triangles.


  • Cut 1 (2 7/8") square. Subcut on 1 diagonal to make 2 D triangles.

From Dark Fabric:

  • Cut 6 (2 7/8") squares. Subcut each square on 1 diagonal to make 12 E triangles.

Assembly

  1. Stitch a B and E triangle together along the long angled side (Figure 1). Press E away from B. Repeat to make a second B-E half-square unit. Repeat with D and E triangles to make two D-E half-square units referring again to Figure 1.

    Four Knaves

  2. Stitch E triangle short edges to the D edges of each D-E half-square unit as shown in Figure 2 to make two D-E-E corner units; press E away from D. Repeat with B-E half-square units and E triangles to make two B-E-E corner units referring again to Figure 2.

    Four Knaves

  3. Stitch D-E-E corner units to A triangles making two squares and B-E-E corner units to C triangles making two squares as shown in Figure 3.

    Four Knaves

  4. Stitch an A-D-E-E square to a C-B-E-E square matching the A and C triangle sides referring to Figure 4 to make a row. Repeat to make a second row as shown.

    Four Knaves

  5. Stitch rows together to complete the block referring again to Figure 4.

Helpful Hints

  • Choose one dark fabric and two light fabrics 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 and stitch right sides together.
  • Use common sense and press seams to cut down on bulk. Traditionally, quilters press seams toward the darker fabric. However, some blocks may benefit from pressing seams open. Pressing tips are often given in the pattern.

Choices

Finishing your quilt is pretty uncomplicated compared to the rest of the process. Layer the appropriate quilt backing size, batting size and the quilt top. Baste the layers together. Quilt the layers together. Remove the basting. Bind the edges and you are finished!

Easy! Right, there are a few choices to be made. First the backing--ah, what size? Then, the batting, oh right, size and type? And, who does the quilting? And, how do you do the binding! OK, maybe not so easy.

Consult a complete quilting guide for ideas on how to do any of these things. If you are a first-time quilter you can learn the whole quilting process from Learn to Make a Quilt From Start to Finish by Carolyn S. Vagts, editor of Quilter's World, available at AnniesCraftStore.com. If you are a sometime quilter who needs a little refreshing of your skills, again consult a complete quilting guide (easily found at your local library, book or fabric store) or the Stitch Guide link at the Quilter's World website.

Copyright © 2015 Annie's. All rights reserved.

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.

DOWNLOAD
Click here to download the PDF (338.9 KB)

Other quilt blocks in the series:








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