12 Block Sampler Quilt Tutorial - A Step-by-Step Guide
Are you ready to bring your quilting skills to life with a beautiful 12-block sampler quilt? This project is perfect for showcasing a variety of traditional pieced blocks, ranging from simple designs ideal for beginners to intermediate patterns that add a touch of complexity.
Each 12" block tells its own story while coming together in harmony to create a stunning quilt. Whether you’re looking to explore new techniques or build confidence in your piecing, this sampler quilt offers the perfect opportunity to learn, create, and enjoy the timeless art of quilting. Let’s get started on this rewarding journey!
Blocks
Here is the list of the quilt blocks I used in this quilt going from top to bottom and left to right. You can click on the picture or title to go to the tutorial for that particular block.
1. Indian Puzzle
This three-color traditional block uses Flying Geese, Square in a Square and Half Square Triangles to form a very interesting block. At the end I show what happens when you change up the color placement and values.
2. Wedding Rings
Looking for an alternative to the Double Wedding Ring quilt? Try out this easy Wedding Rings pattern instead using just Half Square Triangles and squares! I did add a border around this block so that it would fit in the sampler.
3. Tulip Lady Fingers
Today let's look at the Tulip Lady Fingers quilt block. It's still a little early for tulips in my neck of the woods so this block is a welcome reminder that spring is just around the corner. This traditional block first appeared in the Ladies Art Company publication and is quick and easy.
4. Square and a Half
The Square and a Half quilt block first appeared in the Ladies Art Company publication. Traditionally, the Square and a Half block is made with just two colors - a light and a dark - but, of course, I had to add my own spin to it and use five colors! I'm not sure how it got the name "Square and a Half" but someone must have had a reason to name it that. It's not very difficult but does have lots of pieces. I did add a border around this block so that it would fit in the sampler.
5. Flying Dutchman
The Flying Dutchman block is a variation of the Dutchman's Puzzle block. It is composed of four Flying Geese units, four Hourglass units, and four rectangles so not very difficult and it makes an interesting design.
6. Squares within Squares
Today let's sew together a Square Within Squares quilt block. This is not the same as the basic Square in a Square block but some of the components are the same. It is a fairly easy block to complete so let's get started!
7. Weathervane Variation
What makes this Weathervane quilt block different is the pinwheel in the middle! Not hard to do - just squares and Flying Geese units - so let's get started!
8. Diamond Star
Let's look at the Diamond Star quilt block. There are other blocks out there that go by the same name but this is the one published by Aunt Martha Studios. Traditionally, the block uses three colors plus the background but, once again, I had to add in another color.
9. Chained Star
Today we're going to sew together this easy Chained Star quilt block. The block was designed by Margaret Huckeby and appeared in the Quilters Newsletter. The block finishes at 12" square and goes together quickly.
10. Flying Dutchman again
This is a different coloring of the Flying Dutchman block from No. 5 above.
11. Ribbon Star
Let's sew together this Ribbon Star quilt block. With only two colors and easy piecing, this Ribbon Star goes together fast and looks great! I've included fabric requirements for a 13.5" finished block and a 9" finished block. I did add a border around this block so that it would fit in the sampler.
12. Broken Window
Here's the Broken Window quilt block from the Kansas City Star publication. There are other blocks out there called Broken Window - that's just the way it is. This block isn't very difficult and uses squares, Square in a Square, Half Square Triangles and Flying Geese components.
Sashing and Cornerstones
I cut 1.5" x 12.5" strips to make a narrow (1" finished) dark blue fabric for the sashing and a coordinating blue print for the cornerstones (1.5" squares). In hindsight, I could've skipped the lighter cornerstones and made them the same dark blue as the sashing. They are so small that they don't add much to the overall design.
Borders
I also felt that simple borders would tie everything together. Since sampler quilts can get kind of "busy", I thought a plain border would calm it down. I used a narrow (1" finished size) dark blue border for the first border. This ties in with the sashing. Then I used a wider border (4" finished size) in a coordinating mostly blue print for the outer border.
Conclusion:
I had fun picking out and playing with blocks to make this sampler quilt. I hope it gives you some inspiration to make your own sampler!
I hope you have enjoyed this tutorial. If you like it and want to see more, just click HERE to sign up for my newsletter and receive a free PDF quilt pattern called "Chained Weathervane".
Happy Quilting!
Elaine
P.S. Looking for more sampler quilts? Click on this link: https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/tagged/sampler-quilts
P.P.S. Check out my Etsy shop at https://www.etsy.com/shop/fabric406