Easy Weathervane Quilt Block Variation: A Fresh Take with Simple Shapes and Bold Color Play
If you’re looking for a fresh twist on a classic design, this variation of the Weathervane quilt block is just the project for you! Built entirely with beginner-friendly units—half-square triangles, snowballed corners, rectangles, and squares—this 12" block comes together with ease and offers endless opportunities for creative color play.
At the heart of the block is a framed square that draws the eye and sets the stage for bold contrasts or subtle shifts in hue. Whether you're aiming for a traditional look or something more modern, this simple yet striking design is perfect for showcasing your favorite fabrics.
Fabric Requirements for a 12" Finished Weathervane Variation Quilt Block:
- Light/White: 4 - 3" squares, and 12 - 2.5" squares
- Medium/Purple: 1 - 4.5" square
- Medium/Blue: 4 - 3.5" x 4.5" rectangles
- Dark/Blue: 4 - 3" squares, and 4 - 2.5" squares
- Dark/Navy: 4 - 1.5" x 4.5" rectangles
Sewing Directions:
Half Square Triangles:
Step 1:
Using a Light/White 3" square and a Dark/Blue 3" square, make Half Square Triangle (HST) units as shown. Here are the steps corresponding to the images in the picture below going from top to bottom, left to right.
- Match up a Light/White square and a Dark/Blue square right sides together. Mark a diagonal line from corner to corner on the back of the White square and sew 1/4" (or a little less) on each side of the line.
- Cut along the diagonal line. You will have 2 half-square triangle patches.
- Open up the patch and press the seam allowance toward the Dark/Blue fabric.
- Square up/trim the units to 2.5" square.
- You can find my tutorial for making HST units at https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/how-to-sew-a-basic-half-square-triangle-block
Step 2:
Repeat Step 1 for a total of eight Half Square Triangles.
Corner Units:
Step 3:
Lay out two of the Step 2 Half Square Triangles, a Light/White 2.5" square, and a Dark/Blue 2.5" square as shown in the picture below. From here the unit goes together like a basic Four Patch block.
Step 4:
- Sew the patches into two rows and press the seam allowances away from the Half Square Triangles as shown in the top two images in the picture below.
- Sew the two rows together to complete the Corner unit (bottom two images). Unit should measure 4.5" square.
- Press the seam allowance. As you can see below, I've pressed using the tweak/twirl/furl method. This will make the unit lay flatter.
- Repeat for a total of four Corner units.
Middle Units:
Step 5:
Using one of the Medium/Blue 3.5" x 4.5" rectangles and a Light/White 2.5" square "snowball" a corner of the 3.5" x 4.5" square as shown in the picture below. Here are the first steps:
- Mark a diagonal line from corner to corner on the back of the Light/White square.
- Sew the Light/White square to the Medium/Blue rectangle along the marked line (top left image). Note the orientation of the marked line.
- Match the corners of the Light/White square and press (top right image).
- Open the small square up and trim the seam allowance (bottom left image).
- Refold (bottom right image).
Step 6:
Repeat Step 5 on an adjacent corner of the Medium/Blue rectangle as shown in the picture below.
Step 7:
Sew a Dark/Navy 1.5" x 4.5" rectangle to the bottom of the Step 7 units and press the seam allowance toward the Dark/Navy rectangle as shown below.
Step 8:
Repeat Steps 5 through 7 for a total of four Middle units.
Putting It All Together:
Step 9:
Lay out the Corner units, the Middle units, and the Medium/Purple 4.5" squares as shown in the picture below. From here the block goes together like a basic Nine Patch block.
Step 10:
Sew the units into three rows as shown below.
Step 11:
Press the seam allowances toward the Middle units as shown.
Step 12:
Sew the three rows together to complete the block.
Step 13:
Press the seam allowances away from the center of the block as shown in the picture below. All done!
Layout Ideas:
This is the basic 4 x 4 layout with similar colors to the tutorial. I like the secondary designs this layout makes.
However, if you add sashing and cornerstones to that layout, the block is more defined. (Sashing also eliminates having to match up points and seam allowances between blocks.)
This is an alternating layout. Every other block is a large Hourglass block. I also changed the Light/White to the same blue as in the Hourglass block for the blocks in the blue squares.
For this monochromatic alternating layout, I used a chain block in between the Weathervane Variation blocks.
And here's another alternating chain block layout. Quite nice!
Let's try some Christmas colors for this on-point layout that uses an alternating chain block as well.
This on-point version uses dark sashing and cornerstones plus the background fabric is used in the setting triangles.
And this on-point layout uses the background fabric for sashing, cornerstones, and the setting triangles. Makes the Weathervane look like it's floating on the quilt top.
Conclusion:
This variation of the Weathervane block is much easier to sew together than it looks. All the units are easy but look more intricate when sewn together. It went together fast too! With so many color options, it was also fun to play with the layouts. You really should try this one!
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 blocks based on the Nine Patch? Take a look at these blocks: https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/tagged/nine-patch-blocks
P.P.S. Check out my Etsy shop at https://www.etsy.com/shop/fabric406