Free Pattern - Salem Quilt Block

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!

Conclusion:

The Salem quilt block was quick to put together and I think it is a stunning star block. You could change it up by putting in a contrasting color in place of the Light/Ivory 2.5" squares. I think that would make for a spectacular star pattern!

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