Sampler Quilt from Various Tutorials
A 20-block sampler quilt is a wonderful way to explore a variety of traditional quilt blocks while building your piecing skills. If you're looking for a sew at your own pace block-of-the-month project, this sampler offers a beautiful mix of classic designs that come together into a stunning finished quilt.
Each block features time-honored piecing techniques, allowing you to practice everything from half-square triangles to delightful star patterns. Follow along with the individual block tutorials linked below, and create a unique quilt that showcases your craftsmanship and creativity!
This sampler quilt is made of 20 blocks - 4 across and 5 down - with sashing and cornerstones and 2 borders. Pretty simple layout but I'm happy with how it turned out.
You may recognize the blocks from previous tutorials I've done here in the blog. Here's a list of the blocks I used - you can click on them to go to the tutorial:
Row 1:
Best of All
The Best of All quilt block is a lovely traditional star quilt block that finishes at 12″ square. The double diamond design behind the double star is just beautiful! It is easy to sew together except for that one unit. But I’m going to show you a unique (and easier) way to construct that unit.
Aunt Sukey's Choice
Let’s sew an Aunt Sukey’s Choice quilt block today! This 12″ finished block appeared in the Ladies Art Company publication way back when. It is a sweet traditional block that sews up quickly!
Mrs. Bryan's Choice
Let’s learn how to sew a Mrs. Bryan’s Choice quilt block today. I seem to be on a “Choice” run lately! Maybe I’ll keep on it for awhile since there are several named that way – Mother’s Choice, Sister’s Choice, etc. I assume someone’s mother/sister must of really liked the block! Anyway, this block finishes at 12″ square.
Union Star
Let’s sew together a 12″ Union Star Quilt Block today! This one looks a lot harder than it really is plus it makes a lovely secondary design when multiple blocks are sewn together.
Row 2:
Crowning Glory
The Crowning Glory quilt block is a charming traditional block that makes for a lovely quilt. The four-color block is easier to make than it looks! So grab your fabrics and let’s get started on this block!
Cluster of Stars
Today let's sew together this cute Cluster of Stars quilt block! While you could certainly just make little 6" Ohio Star blocks, the method of construction I'm going to show you makes for fewer seams. Also, the traditional coloring for this block is to only use two colors - a light and a dark of the same color. But of course I had to do it my way (more on that later) and make it scrappy.
Prairie Flower
Time for another easy quilt block – the Prairie Flower quilt block! This block is designed by Nancy Cabot. That got me to wondering who Nancy Cabot is (or was). Turns out Nancy Cabot is the pen name of Loretta Leitner Rising, a columnist (and later Needlework Editor) for the Chicago Tribune in the 1930’s. Every day, she presented a quilt block with illustrations and information about the block such as other names, traditional colors used, etc.
Windblown
Today let’s piece together a Windblown quilt block! It’s been so windy lately, I figured that a tutorial for the Windblown block was in order! This block can be constructed entirely of half-square triangles (HST) – but I have a different method that makes for fewer seam allowances.
Row 3:
Judy's Star
So this traditional Judy's Star quilt block is simple but has a nice design with the light star points peeking out from behind the darker one. Judy's Star was designed by Judy Martin (that makes sense). This block goes together quick so let's get started!
Garden Path
Today we’ll learn how to sew a Garden Path quilt block together. This block finishes at 12″ square and looks good using one darker color for the focal diamond and scraps for the rest of the colored print patches. This one of my all time favorites!
Pinwheel Star
Today we're going to put together a traditional Pinwheel Star Quilt Block! It starts out with an on-point pinwheel quilt block, add some triangles and finish with Flying Geese units. It's lovely block!
Mother's Choice
The Mother's Choice block is basically a weathervane variation that goes by a few other names such as Dove at the Windows, Fringed Square, and Laurel Wreath. There's quite a bit of sewing so let's get started!
Row 4:
Seesaw
This traditional quilt block called Seesaw is a great beginner quilt block. It only uses four different fabrics and goes together fast!
Rolling Pinwheel
Today we’re looking at the Rolling Pinwheel quilt block. A couple of other blocks go by this name too – just to keep it interesting! We’re going to be using partial seam construction to make this block.
Prairie Queen
Today let’s learn how to piece this 12″ Prairie Queen quilt block! The Prairie Queen block also appeared in the Hearth & Home publication under the name True Blue. Since I’m a prairie girl, I like the Prairie Queen name!
The Prairie Queen quilt block is easy to put together – you just need to pay attention to the orientation of the little four-patch units. This is so you get a nice little checker board pattern when you sew the blocks together.
Wandering Star
Today let's look at the Wandering Star quilt block. This traditional quilt block is a variation of the Friendship Star block. It's quick and easy - if you can sew together a Half-Square Triangle, you're good to go!
Row 5:
Grandma's Choice
Today let's look at the traditional quilt block Grandma's Choice! Of course, it goes by several other names - Fanny's Favorite, Diamond Ring, Old Favorite, etc. And there are other blocks called Grandma's (or Grandmother's) Choice! It's a great little chain block that traditionally is only in two colors but I really think scrappy would look great as well. Because it is a chain block, it would also look good alternating with another block. It's easy too!
Braced Star
Let’s sew together a Braced Star quilt block! It finishes at 12″ and goes together on a diagonal grid. I also have several layout ideas toward the end of the post to help spark your inspiration.
Mrs. Bryan's Choice, Version 2.0
Today we’re going to look at a different way to sew a Mrs. Bryan’s Choice quilt block. I debated about which way to teach this block and then decided I would do a tutorial on both ways. The method here has fewer seams but can be a little trickier to match seams.
Bear Tracks
Today we’re going to put together the easy Bear Tracks quilt block! This is another variation of the traditional Bear Paw block. The Bear Tracks block that we are sewing today uses four colored fabrics and a light background fabric. This is a great scrappy block too!
Sashing and Cornerstones:
I cut white 2.5" x 12.5" strips to make a 2" sashing and coordinating blue print 2.5" squares for the cornerstones.
Borders:
I also felt that simple borders would tie everything together. Since sampler quilts can get kind of "busy", I thought a plain border would calm it down. I cut white 2.5" strips for a 2" finished size inner border. This ties in with the sashing. Then I used a wider border (4" finished size) in a coordinating blue tone on tone print for the outer border - the same print as used for the cornerstones.
This sampler quilt finishes at about 64" x 78". It'll be a great size for cuddling up on the couch.
Have you made a sampler quilt? We'd all love to see a picture of it if you have one! You can send it by email to support@fabric406.com and I'll post it for you.
Happy Quilting!
Elaine
P.S. Take a look at the other sampler quilts I've made at https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/tagged/sampler-quilts