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Well, for many patterns the answer is simple: draft your own! Most quilt block patterns are based on simple geometric shapes, and it only takes a little work to figure out how to draft it yourself.
With a little practice, you should be able to make just about any quilt you like just by looking at the pattern.
Nine-Patch Quilt Blocks
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A nine-patch quilt block can be divided into nine parts. The most basic nine-patch block, of course, is the simple nine-patch. Other blocks are more complex, and some may even be difficult to indentify as nine-patches at first glance.
However, just about every nine-patch block has something important in common with all the others: it can be divided into nine units, three rows of three. This means that most nine-patch blocks can be drafted most easily into finished block sizes that are divisible by three--15-inch, 12-inch, 9-inch, 6-inch, and even 3-inch.
For example, a simple nine-patch is made up of nine squares, in three rows of three. If you are making a 6-inch finished block, each square will be 2 inches (2 1/2 inches unfinished) because 3 X 2 = 6. If you are making a 9-inch block, each square will be 3 inches (3 1/2 inches unfinished) because 3 X 3 = 9. If you are making a 12-inch finished block, each square will be 4 inches (4 1/2 inches unfinished) because 3 X 4 = 12. And so forth. Not all nine-patch block designs are so straightforward but all can be worked out with a little thought.
Four-Patch Quilt Blocks
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A four-patch quilt block can be divided into four parts. As with the nine-patch, blocks may be more or less complex, and may be made of two rows of two or, more commonly, four rows of four, and so forth. Four-patch blocks can usually be drafted most easily into finished block sizes that are divisible by four--16-inch, 12-inch, 8-inch, etc.
Most quilt block patterns are either nine-patch or four-patch designs, but there are other possibilities.
For example, a Sailboat block is made up of sixteen units (8 are squares, 8 are squares made from two half-square triangles), in four rows of four. If you are making an 8-inch finished block, each unit will be 2 inches (2 1/2 inches unfinished) because 4 X 2 = 8. If you are making a 12-inch finished block, each unit will be 3 inches (3 1/2 inches unfinished) because 4 X 3 = 12. And so forth.
Not all four-patch block designs are so straightforward--look, for example, at the Evening Star-Morning Star block--but all can be worked out with a little thought.
Five-Patch Quilt Blocks
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A five-patch quilt block can be divided into...twenty-five parts! In other words, it includes five rows of five. Five-patch blocks can usually be drafted most easily into finished block sizes that are divisible by five--10-inch, 15-inch, 20-inch, and so forth.
Seven-Patch Quilt Blocks
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A seven-patch quilt block can be divided into forty-nine parts, seven rows of seven. Seven-patch blocks can usually be drafted most easily into finished block sizes that are divisible by seven--7-inch, 14-inch, 21-inch, and so forth. This is why you'll most often see 14" Bear Paw patterns.
Also important is the type of block, as discussed above. Nine-patch blocks are easiest to make in block sizes that are divisible by three, four-patch blocks are easiest to make in block sizes that are divisible by four, and so forth. You can certainly make any block any size you like, but it will be more complicated if, for example, you decide to make a Sister's Choice (a five-patch block) quilt with 12-inch finished blocks; five does not go into twelve, so you will have to deal with more complicated figures and very likely be working with increments of 1/16 inch to get the 12-inch block.
If you are planning a sampler quilt, you might want to choose a 12-inch finished block size, since both nine-patch and four-patch blocks will be easy to make in that size. If you have five-patch blocks you want to include, choose a 15-inch finished block size and you can easily use nine-patch and five-patch blocks (but not four-patch blocks).
Therefore, the blocks discussed here can be made with a combination of squares, rectangles, half-square triangles and quarter-square triangles. Half-square triangles are made by taking a square and cutting it in half diagonally; quarter-square triangles are made by taking a square and cutting it in half-diagonally and then cutting it again diagonally in the other direction. Pretty simple, right?
So, for example, if you were making this Churn Dash block
you would need the following pieces:
you would need the following pieces:
Quilt blocks are made using a 1/4-inch seam allowance; thus, a 12 inch finished quilt block will measure 12 1/2 inches unfinished (unfinished = before it's sewn into a quilt).
Similarly, each piece included in the quilt block also requires a 1/4-inch seam allowance all around before it's sewn into the block.
Squares and Rectangles
Squares and rectangles are fairly straightforward. You simply add 1/4 inch all around, thus adding 1/2 inch to the square.
For example, in the Churn Dash described above, if you are making a 12 inch finished (12 1/2 inch unfinished) block, the center square will be 4 inches finished. Thus the center square should be cut to 4 1/2" square.
Simply, when cutting a square or rectangle, add a 1/2 inch.
Half-Square Triangles
Half-square triangles are made by cutting a square and then cutting that square in half diagonally; you'll get two half-square triangles from each square.
However, you will have to add a bit more to the square you're starting from because each half-square triangle must have a 1/4-inch seam allowance all around. To do this, add 7/8 inch to the initial square and then cut it in half.
For example, in the Churn Dash described above, if you are making a 12 inch finished block, the half-square triangles should be cut from a 4 7/8 inch square. This way they'll have the necessary 1/4 inch seam allowance. When you sew them together, the resulting unit will be a 4 1/2 inch square.
Simply, when cutting half-square triangles, add 7/8 inch to the square you are cutting them from.
Quarter-Square Triangles
Quarter-square triangles are made by cutting a square, cutting that square in half diagonally, and then cutting it diagonally in the opposite direction; you'll get four quarter-square triangles from each square.
You will, however, have to add more than the standard seam allowance to the square you're starting with because each quarter-square triangle must have a 1/4-inch seam allowance all around. To do this, add 1 1/4 inch to the initial square and then cut it in half and then half again.
For example, in the Card Trick described above, if you are making a 12 inch finished block, the quarter-square triangles should be cut from a 5 1/4 inch square. This way they'll have the necessary 1/4 inch seam allowance. When you sew them together, the resulting unit will be a 4 1/2 inch square.
Simply, when cutting half-square triangles, add 1 1/4 inch to the square you are cutting them from.
What type of quilt block is it?
The Friendship Star block is a nine-patch; you can tell this because it's clearly divided into nine units, three rows of three.
How big should I make my block?
Since it is a nine-patch block, you'll want to make it in a size that is easily divisible by three. Let's say that you're planning to include the block in a sampler quilt, and will make it a 12-inch finished (12 1/2-inch unfinished) block.
What sorts of pieces is the block made of?
From the picture you can see that you have three different sorts of unit to make:
To make all of these units you will need:
Since this is a nine-patch block, it is made up of nine units. Since it is a 12-inch finished block, each unit must measure 4 inches. Therefore...
The blue square must be 4 inches, plus a 1/4-inch seam allowance all around. Therefore you'll cut a 4 1/2 inch square.
All of the half-square triangles should be cut from 4 7/8-inch squares. Each square will provide you with two triangles, so you will need to cut two red squares, two blue squares, and four white squares, then cut each in half diagonally.
How do I assemble the block from the cut pieces?
First, sew the half-square triangles together into squares:
You'll be making 4 blue/white squares and 4 red/white squares.
Then, sew the units into strips:
Finally, sew the strips together, and the block is done!
What type of quilt block is it?
The Goose in the Pond block is a five-patch; you can tell this because it's clearly divided into twenty-five units, five rows of five.
How big should I make my block?
Since it is a five-patch block, you'll want to make it in a size that is easily divisible by three. It's a fairly complex block so let's make it a 15-inch finished block.
What sorts of pieces is the block made of?
From the picture you can see that you have four different sorts of unit to make:
To make all of these units you will need:
Since this is a five-patch block, it is made up of twenty-five units. Since it is a 15-inch finished block, each unit must measure 3 inches. Therefore...
The white squares must be 3 inches, plus a 1/4-inch seam allowance all around. Therefore you'll cut four 3 1/2 inch square.
All of the half-square triangles should be cut from 3 7/8-inch squares. Each square will provide you with two triangles, so you will need to cut six green squares and six white squares, then cut each in half diagonally.
The miniature nine-patches must be 3 inches plus a 1/4-inch seam allowance all around. Therefore each of the 1-inch squares in it must be cut to 1 1/2 inches. You will need to cut twenty 1 1/2-inch white squares and sixteen 1 1/2-inch orange squares.
The units made from rectangles must also be 3 inches plus a 1/4-inch seam allowance, as must each piece in them. You will need to cut eight 1 1/2-inch by 3 1/2-inch orange rectangles and four 1 1/2-inch by 3 1/2-inch white rectangles.
How do I assemble the block from the cut pieces?
First, sew the half-square triangles together into squares:
You'll be making twelve green/white squares.
Then, sew together the units made of rectangles:
You'll be making four units.
Next, sew together the miniature nine-patches:
You'll be making four miniature nine-patches.
Then, sew the units into strips:
Finally, sew the strips together, completing the block.
What type of block is it?
The Bear Paw block is a seven-patch block. Some seven-patch blocks are made from forty-nine equal units, but not all are; the Bear Paw is not but you can still identify it as a seven-patch by looking closely at the individual units it is made from.
How big should I make my block?
Since it is a seven-patch block, you'll want to make it in a size that is easily divisible by seven. 14 inches is a manageable size, so we'll make our blocks in this size.
What sorts of pieces is the block made of?
From the picture you can see that you have five different sorts of unit to make:
From the picture above, with the grid, you can tell that the small maroon square, the small white squares, and the small pink/white squares are all the same size, and each consists of one section of the 7X7 grid. You can also see that the white rectangles are the same width as these but are three times as long, each consisting of 3 sections of the grid. Finally, you can see that the large maroon squares are twice as wide and twice as long as the smallest units, and each contains 4 sections of the grid.
You also know that since this is a seven-patch block, each section will be 2 inches square, plus a 1/4-inch seam allowance all around.
The white squares must be 2 inches, plus a 1/4-inch seam allowance all around. Therefore you'll cut four 2 1/2 inch white squares.
The small maroon square must also be 2 inches, plus a 1/4-inch seam allowance all around. Therefore you'll cut one 2 1/2 inch maroon square.
The large maroon squares must be 4 inches, plus a 1/4-inch seam allowance all around. Therefore you'll cut four 4 1/2 inch maroon squares.
The white rectangles must be 6 inches by 2 inches, plus a 1/4-inch seam allowance all around. Therefore you'll cut four 6 1/2-inch by 2 1/2-inch white rectangles.
The half-square triangles should be cut from 2 7/8-inch squares. Each square will provide you with two triangles, so you will need to cut eight pink squares and eight white squares, then cut each in half diagonally.
How do I assemble the block from the cut pieces?
First, sew the half-square triangles together into squares:
You'll be making sixteen pink/white squares.
Next, sew together two of this unit:
and two of this unit:
Then sew two of this unit:
and two of this unit:
Sew four of this unit:
Sew one of this strip:
and two of this strip:
Finally, sew the strips together:
and your block is done!