Traditional Quilt Block with No Name!

Today let's work on this traditional quilt block that has no name! That doesn't happen very often - maybe we should decide on a name for it. The block finishes at 12" square. I usually make blocks that have white or ivory for a background color but decided I should try something different. Let me know what you think! Let's get started!

Fabric Requirements for a 12" Finished Block:

• Light Print: 5 - 4.5" squares
• Medium 1/Pink: 4 - 2.5" squares
• Medium 2/Yellow: 8 - 2.5" squares
• Dark/Blue Print: 20 - 2.5" squares

Sewing Directions for No Name Quilt Block:

Step 1:

Square in a Square Blocks:

First thing to do is to sew 4 Square in a Square Blocks using 4 of the 4.5" Light squares and 16 of the Dark/Blue Print 2.5" squares as you can see in the picture below. You can find my tutorial for making Square in a Square blocks at: https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/how-to-sew-a-basic-square-in-a-square-block

Step 2:

Four Patch Units:

Lay out one Dark/Blue Print 2.5" square, one Medium 1/Pink 2.5" square, and two of the Medium 2/Yellow 2.5" squares according to the picture below.

Step 3:

Sew together the four 2.5" patches to make a Four Patch unit. You can find my tutorial for making Four Patch blocks here: https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/how-to-sew-a-basic-four-patch-quilt-block. Repeat for a total of four Four Patch units as shown in the picture below. If you are going to make several of these No Name blocks for a quilt, I would recommend that you use the strip piecing method for making the Four Patch units. 

Putting It All Together:

Step 4:

Using the picture below for a reference, lay out the four Square in a Square units, the four Four Patch units, and the remaining Light Print 4.5" square.

Step 5:

Now you can sew the No Name block together like you would a basic Nine Patch block (tutorial for the Nine Patch is at https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/how-to-sew-a-basic-nine-patch-quilt-block). First sew the units into three rows as shown in the picture below and press the seam allowances away from the Square in a Square units.

Step 6:

Sew the three rows together and you're done (except to press)!

Step 7:

Press the seam allowances toward the center as shown in the picture below. You could press the seam allowances either way. If you press toward the center and you are making a quilt without sashing, the No Name blocks will nest together if you rotate every other one 90 degrees.

In Conclusion:

I found this traditional No Name quilt block to be pretty easy with only Square in a Square and Four Patch units used to complete the block. I'm not sure about my fabric color choice! I find it to be a bit too busy for my taste - should have used a solid for one of the fabric colors. But my hubby liked it as is - life would be pretty boring if we all liked the same thing!

Let me know what you think of this No Name quilt block and any suggestions you have for a name for it.

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. In case you missed it, check out my roundup post of easy quilt blocks at https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/30-easy-quilt-block-tutorials-for-the-beginning-quilter

P.P.S. Check out my patterns I have for sale on Etsy at https://www.etsy.com/shop/fabric406