Free Pattern - Salem Quilt Block
Today we're going to sew together the Salem quilt block - it's another star quilt block but has the interesting chevron design in it. If you can "snowball" corners and sew flying geese blocks, you can make this block! Let's get started!
Fabric Requirements for a 12" Finished Salem Quilt Block:
- Light/Ivory: 5 - 4.5" squares, 4 - 2.5" x 4.5" rectangles, and 8 - 2.5" squares
- Medium/Purple: 4 - 2.5" x 4.5" rectangles, and 12 - 2.5" squares
- Dark/Black: 8 - 2.5" squares
Sewing Directions:
Square in a Square Unit:
Step 1:
Using four of the Medium/Purple 2.5" squares and one of the Light/Ivory 4.5" squares, make one Square in a Square unit (sometimes called a Snowball block) as shown in the picture below. You can find my tutorial for making a Square in a Square block at: https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/how-to-sew-a-basic-square-in-a-square-block
Half Snowball Unit:
Step 2:
I'm calling this next unit a Half Snowball unit because you only need to "snowball" two opposite corners instead of all four corners which you can see from the picture below. You need to make four of these units.
Flying Geese Units:
Step 3:
Using the Light/Ivory 2.5" x 4.5" rectangles and eight of the Medium/Purple 2.5" squares, sew together four Flying Geese units as shown in the picture below. The tutorial for my method of making Flying Geese blocks is at: https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/how-to-sew-a-basic-flying-geese-block
Step 4:
Now you get to do the same thing only using the Medium/Purple 2.5" x 4.5" rectangles and the Light/Ivory 2.5" squares as shown below.
Chevron Unit:
Step 5:
Match up one Step 3 and one Step 4 Flying Geese unit and sew together as shown in the picture below. Press the seam allowance toward point of the chevron design. You will need to make a total of four Chevron units.
Putting It All Together:
Step 6:
Once again, this Salem quilt block goes together just like a typical Nine Patch block. Lay out the center Square in a Square unit, the Half Snowball units, and the Chevron units as shown in the picture below.
Step 7:
Now you can sew the units together into three rows as shown in the picture below.
Step 8:
And press the seam allowances away from the Chevron units as shown below.
Step 9:
To finish up, just sew the three rows together and...
Step 10:
Press the seam allowances away from the center as shown in the picture below. You are done!
Layout Ideas:
Here is the basic 4 x 4 layout using colors similar to the tutorial.
This is the same layout as above but with narrow (1") sashing and cornerstones added. What a difference!
This scrappy alternating design where every other block is a Snowball block makes a delightful spool design between the stars. This is my favorite layout.
This is another alternating design using a simple chain block.
This is an alternating on-point design using a chain block for the alternating block and the background (cream) fabric for the setting triangles.
This is the same layout as above - with some changes. I switched the outer green triangles with background fabric and also added in a gold fabric to make another star design in the block.
Another on-point design with narrow sashing and cornerstones in darker colors and background fabric for the setting triangles.
Conclusion:
The Salem quilt block was quick to put together and I think it is a stunning star block. I especially like the alternating layouts with the Snowball block that make a spool design.
I hope you've enjoyed this block! If you like the tutorial and want to see more, simply click HERE to sign up for my newsletter plus receive a free PDF quilt pattern called "Chained Weathervane".
Happy Quilting!
Elaine
P.S. Looking for more star blocks? Take a look at these block tutorials: https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/tagged/eight-pointed-star-blocks
P.P.S. Check out my Etsy shop at https://www.etsy.com/shop/fabric406