This block was one of those “great” ideas I get as I’m falling asleep and then I can’t sleep because I wanted to try it so badly. Unfortunately because I was so excited, I didn’t take the time to double check my midnight math and my block ended up being 5″ instead of 6.5″. The good news is that I’ve slapped a border on it and it will definitely be in my sampler quilt. The EXTRA good news is that I know the dimensions that you need to make your block the correct size. Don’t let it scare you. It really is easier than it looks and so fun to try tiny piecing!! If you’ve made a tiny pineapple, the pieces are the same size, there are just more of them. You can do it!

Background:

(18) 1 3/4″ x 1 3/4″
(16) 1 1/4″ x 1 1/4″

Print:
(18) 1 3/4″ x 1 3/4″
(12) 1 1/4″ x 1 1/4″

If you’d like the coloring to be like mine (4 each corner and one in the center), you’ll need (6) 1 3/4″ x 1 3/4″ for the center and (3) 1 3/4″ x 1 3/4″ for each of the other 4 colors. You’ll also need (3) 1 1/4″ x 1 1/4″ for each of the 4 colors to make up 12 squares. 

Draw a diagonal line down the center of the 1 3/4″ x 1 3/4″ background squares. Pair up the background and print squares that are 1 3/4″ x 1 3/4″ and sew 1/4″ away from the center line on both sides of the line. Cut down the center line, press, and trim to 1 1/4″ x 1 1/4″. I HIGHLY recommend trimming. It is extremely important when using such tiny pieces. 

Lay out your block and assemble each row. Once again, I HIGHLY recommend laying it out and double checking you’re attaching the correct pieces oriented in the correct direction. Don’t let any of this scare you. It is so fun to make and such a feeling of accomplishment to use so many small pieces. 

A pinwheel block is such a simple, yet striking block, especially in a sampler quilt. This is such fun one that could be great if you used all of the same fabric, 4 different fabrics as pictured, or something completely different.

Background:

(8) 2 1/2″ x 2 1/2″

Print:

(8) total 2 1/2″ x 2 1/2″ squares – If you want to make your block as pictured, cut 2 blocks each of 4 prints to total 8 squares.

Draw a diagonal line down the center of the background square. Pair up each background square with a print. Sew 1/4″ away from center line on both sides of the line. Trim down the center, press, and trim to 2″ square. Assemble your block as pictured.

This sailboat block was one I wanted to include for sure since I live in a house full of boys, and man do I love every minute of it.

Sky:

(2) 2″ x 2″ (sky next to boat)
(2) 2 3/8″ x 2 3/8″ (for sails)
(2) 2 x 3 1/2″ (vertical sky next to sails)

Water:

(1) 2 x 6 1/2″

Boat:

(1) 2 x 6 1/2″

Sails:

(2) 2 3/8″ x 2 3/8″

Draw a diagonal line down the center of the 2 x 2″ sky and the 2 3/8″ x 2 3/8″ sky pieces. Pair up the 2 3/8″ x 2 3/8″ sky and sails squares. Sew 1/4″ away from the center line on both sides of the line, cut down the line, press, and trim to 2″ x 2″.

Pair up the boat piece with the 2″ x 2″ sky pieces. Make sure you arrange the sky pieces so they will give you the correct boat shape. Sew ON the line this time, trim away excess leaving 1/4″, press.

Assemble the block as shown above.

Dutchman’s puzzle is a super awesome block whether you use a white background or use a printed background. It can make a great statement. The cutting instructions are for a white background as pictured on the top right.

Print:

(8) 2″ x 3 1/2″ rectangles

Background:

(16) 2″ x 2″ squares

Draw a line down the center of all of the 2″ squares. Sew 1 2″ square onto each of the 8 rectangles, aligning the corner and sewing down the line. Trim off excess leaving 1/4″, press, and then sew on the remaining 2″ squares to make 8 flying geese units. Sew these into groups of 2, then lay out as shown and assemble your final block.

The 4-patch star is a great block that can look completely different depending on how you choose to make your 4-patch. I chose to make mine resemble the stars in Thimbleblossom’s Summerville quilt because she’s a genius and why reinvent the wheel?? 

Prints:

(3) 2″x 2″ squares each of 4 prints

Background:

(4) 2″ x 2″ squares
(4) 2″ x 3.5″ rectangles

I highly recommend laying out your block first as it is super easy to mix up the square placement on your flying geese. You will use the exact same method as you did in the Dutchman’s puzzle to make your flying geese. Sew together your 4-patch, then assemble your block.