How to Sew the Easy Mosaic #6 Quilt Block - a Free Tutorial
Hey there, quilt lovers! Get ready to dive into the charming world of quilting with our easy, step-by-step guide on crafting the Mosaic #6 quilt block. This delightful 12" block, a close cousin to the beloved Whirlpool design, is the sixth installment in the enchanting Mosaic series originally introduced by the Ladies Art Company. Perfect for beginners and seasoned quilters alike, this tutorial will walk you through each phase of creating this beautiful block, ensuring you can add a touch of historical elegance and craftsmanship to your quilting projects. Let’s thread our needles and bring this classic design to life!
Fabric Requirements for a 12" Finished Mosaic #6 Quilt Block:
- Light/White: 12 - 3.5" squares
- Medium/Purple: 4 - 3.5" squares
- Medium/Blue: 4 - 3.5" x 6.5" rectangles
- Dark/Blue: 4 - 3.5" x 6.5" rectangles
Sewing Directions:
Diagonal Strip Units:
Step 1:
The Diagonal Stripe units are made in the same manner as a Flying Geese unit except that opposite corners are used instead of adjacent corners.
Using the four Medium/Blue 3.5" x 6.5" rectangles, and eight White 3.5" squares sew together four Diagonal Stripe units. In the picture below you can see the first four steps using the White 3.5" squares.
Note the orientation of the diagonal line. This is important!
- 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 Medium/Blue rectangle along the marked line (top image). Note the orientation of the marked line. Because this is a larger size 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 2:
Now you can sew a White 3.5" squares to the opposite corner of the Medium/Blue rectangle.
Once again, note the orientation of the marked line.
Step 3:
Repeat Steps 1 and 2 for a total of four Medium Blue Diagonal Stripe units like the ones shown in the picture below.
Step 4:
Repeat Steps 1 and 2 only substituting the Dark/Blue 3.5" x 6.5" rectangle for the Medium/Blue one and the Medium/Purple 3.5" square for one of the White 3.5" squares. Make a total of four Dark Blue Diagonal Stripe units like the ones shown in the picture below.
Corner Units:
Step 5:
Lay out a Step 3 and a Step 4 Diagonal Stripe unit as shown in the picture below.
Step 6:
Sew the two units together and press the seam allowance toward the Medium Blue Diagonal Stripe unit as shown.
Repeat for a total of four Corner units.
Putting It All Together:
Step 7:
Lay out the four Corner units as shown in the picture below.
Step 8:
Sew the units into two rows.
Step 9:
Press the seam allowances toward the Dark Blue Diagonal Strip unit as shown in the picture below.
Step 10:
Sew the two rows together to complete the block.
Step 11:
Press the seam allowance. You can see in the picture below that I've used the tweak/twirl/furl method for pressing, but you can press however you prefer.
Layout Ideas:
Here is the basic 4 x 4 layout using colors similar to the tutorial.
This example is the same 4 x 4 layout but with dark sashing and cornerstones added.
This version of the block has a pink triangle in place of white in the four corners of the block. I like this layout best because it creates a nice secondary "whirlpool" where the blocks come together.
This example uses an alternating block that elliminates the center "whirlpool" and makes for a nice place to do some fancy quilting.
This is also an alternating design using a simple chain block for the alternate block.
This is an on-point layout using monochromatic colors.
Here's a scrappy version done on-point with the background fabric used for the setting triangles.
This on-point version is monocromatic and has dark sashing and cornerstones with background fabric for the setting triangles.
Conclusion:
The Mosaic #6 block is quick and easy to sew together. While the Corner units are almost the same (just color placement is different) as the Mosaic #18, the way they are arranged makes for a totally different quilt block!
This block can also be made entirely of half square triangles and get the same effect.
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 #18 at https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/the-beginner-friendly-mosaic-18-quilt-block-tutorial
and #13 at https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/the-mosaic-13-quilt-block-free-tutorial
and #2 at https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/how-to-piece-the-mosaic-2-quilt-block-tutorial
P.P.S. Check out my Etsy shop at https://www.etsy.com/shop/fabric406