How to Piece the Super Easy Beginner's Choice Quilt Block - Free Tutorial

By: Elaine Huff

Welcome to the Beginner's Choice Quilt Block tutorial! This super easy, scrappy version is perfect for quilters of all levels, especially beginners. In this tutorial, you'll learn how to create a vibrant and charming quilt block that forms a stunning star pattern when four blocks are sewn together. Using a variety of fabric scraps, this project is a great way to utilize leftover pieces while creating a visually captivating design. Let's get started on this fun and rewarding quilting journey!

Fabric Requirements for a 6" Finished Beginner's Choice Quilt Block:

Light/White: 2 - 2.5" squares
Assorted Prints: 4 - 2.5" squares
Dark/Blue: 1 - 2.5" x 4.5" rectangle, and 1 - 2.5" x 6.5" rectangle

Sewing Directions:

Snowballed Rectangles:

Step 1:

Snowball one corner of the Dark/Blue 2.5" x 4.5" rectangle with one of the Light/White 2.5" squares. You can check out the Snowball tutorial at https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/how-to-sew-a-basic-snowball-block

First you will need to mark a diagonal line on the back of the Light/White 2.5" square. Place the square on the end of the rectangle, right sides together. Sew close to the marked line in what will be the seam allowance. Note the orientation of the sewing line!

Step 2:

Match the corners of the square and press. When you match the corners, there is no need to square up your patch.

Step 3:

Open up the square and trim the seam allowance.

Step 4:

Turn the corner back and you have one of the rectangle units done.

Step 5:

Repeat Steps 1 through 4 only using the Dark/Blue 2.5" x 6.5" rectangle. Note that the orientation of the sewing line is different than the shorter rectangle.

Four Patch Unit:

Step 6:

Using the four Assorted Prints 2.5" squares, piece together a Four Patch unit. For a detailed tutorial that includes various ways to make a Four Patch block check out this blog post: https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/how-to-sew-a-basic-four-patch-quilt-block

Step 7:

You can see in the picture below that I use the tweak/twirl/furl method of pressing the unit. But you can press however you wish.

Putting It All Together:

Step 8:

Using the picture below for reference, sew the shorter Snowballed Rectangle to the Four Patch unit.

Step 9:

Press the seam allowance toward the Four Patch unit as shown.

Step 10:

To finish the block, sew the longer Rectangle unit to the Step 9 unit as shown in the picture below.

Step 11:

Press the seam allowance toward the Step 9 unit as shown.

Layout Ideas:

Here is the typical 4 x 4 layout where the blocks are rotated to make stars that are set off by scrappy 16-patch "blocks".

This example has two different colored blocks arranged to make arrow points.

This version is the same as the first only with sashing and cornerstones added.

This is an on-point layout with the blocks rotated to make an uneven star pattern.

This example is another on-point layout that is more symetrical than the previous one. I added an extra row at the bottom to balance the design from top to bottom.

This is a 5 x 5 on-point layout where the blocks are rotated with sashing and cornerstones added in. I think this is the most interesting layout even though it is a bit busy.

Conclusion:

The Beginner's Choice quilt block is a great choice for someone just starting their quilting journey. I enjoyed making the block because it was quick and it has some interesting design options that even experienced quilters can appreciate.

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 easy blocks? Take a look at these blocks: https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/tagged/tutorials_beginning-blocks. Most of them only use squares, rectangles, and half square triangles in their construction.

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