How to Piece the Mosaic #2 Quilt Block Tutorial

By: Elaine Huff

Today we're going to learn how to piece the lovely Mosaic #2 quilt block. This cute block with a pinwheel in the center is part of a series of Mosaic blocks that was published by the Ladies Art Company. While it could be made completely with half square triangles, I'm going to show you how to piece it with flying geese units. Grab your fabric and let's get stitching!

mosaic #2 quilt block

Fabric Requirements for a 12" Finished Mosaic #2 Quilt Block:

  • Light/White: 4 - 4" squares, and 8 - 3.5" squares
  • Dark Blue: 4 - 3.5" x 6.5" rectangles
  • Dark Burgundy: 2 - 4" squares
  • Medium Blue: 2 - 4" squares

Sewing Directions:

Half Square Triangles:

Step 1:

Using two White 4" squares and two Burgundy 4" squares, make Half Square Triangle units as shown. Here are the steps corresponding to the images in the picture below by going from left to right, top to bottom.
  • Match up a White square and a Burgundy 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 Burgundy fabric.
  • Square up/trim the units to 3.5" square. 
 

Step 2:

Repeat Step 1 for a total of four White/Burgundy Half Square Triangle units.
 
 

Step 3:

Repeat Steps 1 and 2 except substitute the Medium Blue fabric squares for the Burgundy squares.
 
 

Flying Geese Units:

Step 4:

Using the eight White 3.5" squares, and the four Dark Blue 3.5" x 6.5" rectangles, sew together four Flying Geese units. For a detailed tutorial of my no-trim method for making perfect Flying Geese blocks check out https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/how-to-sew-a-basic-flying-geese-block. The picture below shows the first four steps.

  • Mark a diagonal line from corner to corner on the back of the White 3.5" squares.
  • Sew a White 3.5" square to the Dark Blue rectangle along the marked line (top image). Note the orientation of the marked line. Because this is a larger size Flying Geese unit, I also sewed another seam about 1/2" away from the marked line so I can get a bonus half square triangle!
  • Match the corners of the White square and press (second image).
  • Open the small square up and trim in between the stitching lines (third image).
  • Refold (bottom image). You can also see the little bonus half square triangle that I can use in some other project.
 

Step 5:

Repeat Step 4 on an adjacent corner.
 

Step 6:

Repeat Steps 4 and 5 for a total of four Flying Geese units like what are shown in the picture below.
 

Pinwheel Unit:

Step 7:

Lay out the Step 2 White/Burgundy half square triangle units as shown below.
 

Step 8:

Sew the half square triangle units together in two rows as shown in the picture below. You can find my directions for sewing a basic Pinwheel block at https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/pinwheel-quilt-block-pattern.
 

Step 9:

Press the seam allowances toward the White fabric as shown. Notice that all the seam allowances are pressed in a clockwise manner. This helps the center of the block to lay flat.
 

Step 10:

Now sew the two rows together to complete the pinwheel.
 

Step 11:

Press the seam allowance using the tweak/twirl/furl method. You may have to pop a stitch or two at the center to be able to press this way. Also notice the tiny pinwheel that appears at the center!
 
 
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Putting It All Together:

Step 12:

Lay out the Pinwheel unit, the four Flying Geese units, and the four White/Medium Blue Half Square Triangle units as shown in the picture below. From here the block goes together like an uneven Nine Patch block.
 

Step 13:

Sew the units into three rows as shown in the picture below.
 

Step 14:

Press the seam allowances away from the Flying Geese units.
 

Step 15:

Sew the three rows together to complete the block. Two of the seam intersections won't nest together so take your time on those.
 

Step 16:

And finally, press the seam allowances toward the center of the block.
 

Layout Ideas:

Here is the basic 4 x 4 layout with similar colors to the tutorial.

And here's the same layout but with sashing and cornerstones added:

This example uses a simple 8-pointed star as an alternating block. I like the diamond shapes that show up.

In this version the Mosaic #2 and Mosaic #13 are set in an alternating arrangement. Very pretty!

Using a chain block with a colored background as an alternating block makes a big impact!

Same layout but with black replacing the white and switching the light and dark blue fabrics around. Black makes jewel tones sing!

This version is an on-point layout with a chain block used as an alternating block and in the setting triangles.

This on-point layout in soft colors has colored sashing and cornerstones along with another color for the setting triangles.

Conclusion:

This Mosaic block was fun and easy to sew together. The larger units are what make it easier! I enjoyed playing with the layout ideas too. The last layout in the soft colors is my favorite!
 

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. Did you miss the previous Mosaic block tutorials? Check out #21 at https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/how-to-sew-the-mosaic-21-quilt-block-a-traditional-block-with-a-modern-look and #13 at https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/the-mosaic-13-quilt-block-free-tutorial

P.P.S. Check out my Etsy shop at https://www.etsy.com/shop/fabric406