Learn how to sew a North Wind Quilt Block during week 5 of our Spring Block of the Week! I can’t believe we’re already on Week 5!!!
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Week 5 – North Wind Quilt Block
The North Wind quilt block uses half square triangles and squares. Just like the other blocks in this series, this quilt block is a nine patch block.
The finished block will measure 12 ½” x 12 ½” square.
Sew using a ¼” seam allowance throughout.
Cut the fabric for the block…
Cut one 4 ½” square of light-colored fabric and one 4 ½” square of dark-colored fabric.
Also cut four 5 ¼” squares of the same light-colored fabric. Finally, cut another four 5 ¼” squares of dark-colored fabric. The 5 ¼” squares will be used to make the half square triangles!
You’ll need seven half square triangles for this quilt block. Use the strategy of making half square triangles that I described in Week #2. You’ll have one half square triangle left over. I save these “left overs” in my scrappy bin and someday I’ll use them all in a project.
If you’re new to quilting or cutting squares for quilts, you can take a peek at my post on using a rotary cutter or the post on basic quilt supplies!
Making the Half Square Triangles…
Use the light and dark 5 ¼” squares, right sides together, to make the half square triangles. Draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of the light squares. Sew on either side of the line, cut apart, press, and trim to measure 4 ½”.
Plan the block layout…
Follow this diagram to plan the layout of the seven half square triangle squares and the two 4 ½” squares.
It might sound very simplistic, but sometimes I actually take a picture of the planned-out blocks so I don’t mess up when I start sewing them together. Then I can refer to the picture to help me get all the blocks in the right order!!
Sew together the squares of each row…
Begin sewing the squares together row by row. I like to pin the first two blocks in each row before I start sewing them.
Using a ¼” seam allowance, stitch the two squares together. Don’t sew over the pins, remove them as you come up to them.
When you have the first two blocks of all three rows sewn together, line them up in their correct row placement again.
Place the last block right sides together to each of the middle squares and pin. Stitch the last block onto each row.
I like to use the chain piecing technique to sew quilt squares together. You don’t have to chain piece these squares, you can sew each of them individually if you prefer!! If you want to read about chain piecing, check out this post!
Pressing the seams…
Press the seams of row one to the right. Press the seams of row two to the left. And press the seams of row three to the right again. This way the seams will “nest” together nicely when you sew the rows to each other!
When you carefully press your seams so the rows “nest” nicely together, you’ll get corners and points that match up well! This takes practice. But taking your time, pressing carefully, and pinning your rows carefully together, will all be worth the effort to get nice-looking corners and points!!!
Sewing the rows together…
With rows one and two right sides together, “nest” the seams together and place a pin in these lined up seams. I also like to place a pin at the end of the rows, and a couple in the middle.
Sew the rows to each other, removing the pins as you come up to them. Be careful not to let the seam from the bottom row fold over the wrong way as you come up to it! This happens sometimes.
Press the seams of each row all in the same direction, either toward the top or toward the bottom. This way your block will lay nice and flat.
Nicely pressed seams look so pretty!!! And they help to create smooth quilting patterns later!
Finishing the block…
Using the measurements for the individuals squares that make up this block, the final quilt block should end up measure 12 ½” x 12 ½”. Once you’ve pressed it, lay it out on your cutting mat and square the block to make sure it’s 12 ½” square.
I have a 12 ½” square Omnigrip plastic “ruler” that works great for squaring up large quilt blocks!
I love how the blocks of this Spring Block of the Week series are adding up!!!
Have fun making this North Wind Quilt Block, and have a great week!!
~Bonnie
What is the total yardage needed for each material pattern?
The total yardage for each of the Block of the Week patterns is less than 1/4 yard. You’ll need at least 6″ wide to cut some of the squares, but most squares are only 4 1/2″ wide. A couple fat quarters could make a couple blocks!! =)
Thank you!
Of course! Sorry it wasn’t clear!!