Woodland Path Quilt Block Tutorial
Now that I’ve introduced many of the foundational shapes that are commonly found within traditional quilt blocks, we can begin using them to make various blocks! A few weeks ago in one of my block tutorial posts I mentioned that I’d probably be using the blocks I’m making for The Quilt Block Library to make a sampler quilt and a couple folks chimed in that they’d be interested in joining me in that endeavor! Let’s turn this into a free summer sew along shall we? I really like block sampler quilts that are made from blocks that are all the same size, so going forward all the blocks I share will be a 12” finished size. I’ll plan to post 1 sampler block every Wednesday for the next couple dozen weeks until we have enough blocks to put together a decent sized quilt. At the end I’ll share posts about how to assemble the blocks to make the quilt. I welcome any and all to join in this totally free sew along adventure! You can do so either by simply checking in here at the blog every Wednesday where I’ll post the block of the week, or send me an email and ask me to add you to The Farm & Folk Sampler Quilt mailing list. I’ll send out an email every Wednesday to the group with a link to the block of the week and any special notes, tips, or instructions that apply. This will be a fun ongoing project. Please do join!
Sampler Block 1: Woodland Path
I recently purchased a copy of Barbara Brackman’s book Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Patterns to help me identify the blocks I’m sharing in The Quilt Block Library here. From what I can find in her extensive book of over 4,000 block patterns, today’s block is a variation of a block called Woodland Path first introduced by Nancy Cabot in 1934. This block is made up of 4-HST’s, 12-Flying Geese, and 1-Diamond in the Square, all of which I have previously introduced in The Block Library (links to follow). In these instructions I will use the colors I chose (blue and white) to identify the pieces but please take the liberty to substitute these for any colors you desire.
Finished Block Size: 12”
Cut list
For the 4 HST’s:
Cut 2 white squares- 5 1/2”
Cut 2 blue squares- 5 1/2”
For the Flying Geese:
Cut 12 white squares- 2 3/4”
Cut 3 blue squares- 4 1/2”
For The Diamond In The Square:
Cut 2 white squares- 2 1/2”
Cut 1 blue square- 2 5/8”
Make the Flying Geese
Gather the 12 white squares and 3 blue squares you cut for the flying geese. Cut the blue squares from diagonal corner to corner twice as shown above to create 4 triangles and repeat for the remaining 2 blue squares. Cut the white squares from diagonal corner to corner once as shown above to create 2 triangles and repeat for the remaining 11 white squares. Now click over to my Flying Geese tutorial and skip to step 4 and make 12 flying geese. When you get to the part where you trim the geese, trim them to 3.5” wide and 2” tall. Set the 12 finished geese aside and make 4 HST’s.
Make the HST’s
Gather the 2 white 5 1/2” squares and 2 blue 5 1/2” squares you cut for your HST’s and click over to my HST tutorial to assemble a total of 4 HST’s. Scroll to the part where it says ASSEMBLE and follow the instructions. When you get to the TRIM section, follow the instructions and trim your HST’s to 5” x 5”. Set the finished HST’s aside and make your Diamond in the Square block.
Make the Diamond in the Square Block
Gather the blue 2 5/8” square and the two white 2 1/2” squares you cut for the Diamond in the Square block. Cut the two white squares in half from diagonal corner to corner as shown above, then head over to my Diamond in the Square tutorial and scroll to the section where it says ASSEMBLE THE BLOCK. Trim the block to the exact size stated (3.5”) in that tutorial.
Assemble the Block
Gather all the shapes that you made in the previous steps. Now that all the shapes have been created we can get to the fun part of assembling the block!
I always like to lay out the shapes to help me figure out the proper order to sew all the shapes together. At this point it doesn’t look like the pieces are going to fit together but have no fear! The seam allowances will eat up that extra space and all the pieces will all fit together nice and snug.
Sew the Flying Geese together to create 4 sets of 3 geese each as shown above. Press the seams open.
Orient the shapes on your work surface as shown above. Now it’s easy to see that the pieces are going to fit together nicely.
Sew the pieces together to form 3 horizontal rows as shown above.
Sew the rows together being sure to match the seams by pinning so that everything lines up. And there we have a Woodland Path block! I’ll be back next Wednesday with the 2nd Farm & Folk Quilt Sampler block. See you then!
