Wind Blown Square is a fun block made up of right and quarter triangles, and a square. Typically worked up with white fabric, a light and a dark print, this block is also beautiful when light and dark tones of the same color are used instead. Keeping to the same color family produces a more subdued version. The block's triangles form a wonderful topsy-turvy pattern when placed next to each other. It's a great block to use for making lively, eye-catching quilts.

How big is this block?

This is a 9-inch block.

How do I go about making it?

Rotary cutting is the most straight-forward way to begin working up a Wind Blown Square block. You will need three fabrics to get started.

Cut one square from a 4.5-inch strip of fabric A. Cut four right triangles from a 4-inch strip of fabric A. Cut four quarter triangles from a 5.75-inch strip of fabric A. Cut four right triangles from a 4-inch strip of fabric B. Cut two quarter triangles from a 5.75-inch strip of fabric B. Cut four right triangles from a 4-inch strip of fabric C. Cut two quarter triangles from a 5.75-inch strip of fabric C.

With your fabric cut, it's time to start piecing. Unlike many blocks where repeating rows are pieced together, Wind Blown Square works from the inside out. The postioning of triangles can be tricky, so be sure to compare your block against the graphic in this pattern. Use a quarter-inch allowance for all seams.

Make the center square unit : Place one fabric B right triangle over the fabric A square, right sides together. Stitch and press. Repeat the same on the opposite side of the square. Place one fabric C right triangle over the fabric A square, right sides together. Stitch and press. Repeat the same on the opposite side of the square. Turn the block so that the fabric A square is placed on the diagonal. This is your center square unit.

Make the center diamond unit. Place a fabric A right triangle over a fabric B right triangle, stitch together to form a larger quarter triangle from the two. Repeat to form a second triangle. Place a fabric A right triangle over a fabric C right triangle, stitch together to form a larger quarter triangle from the two. Repeat to form a second triangle. Place one fabric A/fabric B combination right triangle over the center square unit. Stitch. Repeat on the opposite side of the center square unit. Place one fabric A/fabric C combination right triangle over the center square unit. Stitch. Repeat on the opposite side of the center square unit. Press all seams. You now have a center diamond unit.

Add the corner triangle units to complete the block. Place one fabric A quarter triangle over a fabric B quarter triangle. Stitch to form a larger quarter triangle unit. Repeat. Place one fabric A quarter triangle over a fabric C quarter triangle. Stitch to form a larger quarter triangle unit. Repeat. Place one fabric A/fabric B quarter triangle unit over the center diamond shape and stitch. Repeat by stitching the other fabric A/fabric B quarter triangle on the opposite side of the center diamond shape. Place one fabric A/fabric C quarter triangle unit over the center diamond shape and stitch. Repeat by stitching the other fabric A/fabric C quarter triangle on the opposite side of the center diamond shape. Press all seams of your completed block.

How can I use it?

While piecing this block may involve a different approach than commonly used, laying the block out to construct a quilt differs very little from any other block. Placed together without sashing or border, blocks of Wind Blown Square form a captivating geometric pattern across the project.

Altering the positioning your blocks can create a distinctly different effect. Using the same blocks from the example above, every other block is reversed.

More options

Because there is so much movement in the Wind Blown Square block, it works well when pieced alongside solid blocks. In this example, the solid blocks of green create a checkerboard effect and help to decrease the activity of the design.

Using a layout with solid and Wind Blown Square blocks provides a great canvas for gentle floral quilting motifs. The rounded lines of this stitching compliment the angular lines of the block very nicely.

Related : More Free Block Patterns