Quilt Block of the Month: January

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.

Wild Duck

Finished Block Size
8" x 8"

Helpful Hints

• Choose one each 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 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.
• For more detailed help with quilting techniques, go to QuiltersWorld.com and choose Stitch Guide in the sidebar to access Quilting Basics or consult a complete quilting guide. Your local library will probably have several on hand that you can review before purchasing one.

Choices

Each month we will try to give you some choices or general information about the block that will make it easier or more fun to work with. Some of this information will be good to remember for other blocks throughout the year.

This year we will be talking about what happens when we use the blocks to make one-block quilts. Does a secondary design appear? Does a change in color or tone make something interesting happen? Be sure to read this section each month for a little something extra.

When working with traditional blocks, we often see that our predecessors had a gift for turning natural objects into recognizable geometric designs. We can see that here in the Wild Duck block.

The use of simple half-squares and squares makes for an easy assembly that could be made from lights, mediums and darks without matching the colors of a duck but still giving us a recognizable geometric duck design.

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.

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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