Broken Window Quilt Block Free Tutorial

Today let's take a look at this Broken Window quilt block from the Kansas City Star publication. Once again, there are other blocks out there called Broken Window - that's just the way it is. This block isn't very difficult - if you can do Half Square Triangles and Flying Geese, you're good to go! Let's get started.

Fabric Requirements for a 12" Finished Broken Window Quilt Block:

• Light/White: 4 - 3" squares, 4 - 2.5" x 4.5" rectangles, and 16 - 2.5" squares
• Medium/Pink: 1 - 4.5" square, 4 - 3" squares, and 4 - 2.5" squares
• Medium/Blue: 4 - 2.5" x 4.5" rectangles
• Dark/Dark Blue: 8 - 2.5" squares

Sewing Directions:

Center Unit:

Step 1:

The Center unit is a simple Square in a Square block using the Medium/Pink 4.5" square and four Light/White 2.5" squares as shown in the picture below. You can find the Square in a Square tutorial at https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/how-to-sew-a-basic-square-in-a-square-block

Flying Geese Units:

Step 2:

Using the four Medium/Blue 2.5" x 4.5" rectangles and eight Light/White 2.5" squares, sew together four Flying Geese patches as shown below. You will find my Flying Geese tutorial at https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/how-to-sew-a-basic-flying-geese-block

Step 3:

Now you can repeat Step 2 only using the Light/White 2.5" x 4.5" rectangles and the Dark/Dark Blue 2.5" squares as shown in the picture below.

Step 4:

Match up one Step 2 patch and one Step 3 patch and sew together as shown in the picture below. Press the seam allowance toward the Step 2 Flying Geese patch. Repeat for a total of four Flying Geese units.

Corner Units:

Step 5:

Using the Light/White 3" squares and the Medium/Pink 3" squares sew together eight Half Square Triangles as shown below. You can find the tutorial for making Half Square Triangles (HST) at https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/how-to-sew-a-basic-half-square-triangle-block Trim/square up the HSTs to 2.5" square.

Step 6:

Lay out two of the Step 5 HSTs you made, a Light/White 2.5" square, and a Medium/Pink 2.5" square as shown in the picture below.

Step 7:

Now you can sew the patches just like a basic Four Patch block. Sew the patches into 2 rows and press the seam allowances toward the HST patches. I know this is not the normal direction for pressing but it makes a difference later on when putting the block together.

Step 8:

Sew the two rows together and press the seam allowance toward the Medium/Pink 2.5" square as shown below.

Putting It All Together:

Step 9:

Lay out the Center unit, the Flying Geese units, and the Corner units as shown in the picture below. From here the Broken Window block goes together just like a Nine Patch block.

Step 10:

Sew the patches into three rows as shown below.

Step 11:

And press the seam allowances toward the Flying Geese units as shown below.

Step 12:

All that's left is to sew the three rows together and...

Step 13:

Press the seam allowances toward the outside of the block as shown in the picture below. You're done!

Layout Ideas:

Conclusion:

This was a fun block to do. I like the frame effect you get with the light blue/dark blue contrast. In hindsight, a lighter pink center would enhance that contrast too. You'll also get a secondary design when sewing multiple blocks together. I always like when that happens! A simple eight pointed star (Ohio Star) will appear with the Medium/Pink fabric.

I hope you've enjoyed this Broken Window quilt block and decide to give it a try! 

Happy Quilting!

Elaine

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