Country Weathervane Quilt Block Pattern

Sew a classic weathervane quilt block in a sweet, country color palette. Providing instructions for a 6-inch and 12-inch block, this beginner quilting tutorial from Rachel Nielsen walks you through the process of creating a traditional weathervane block. Turn your weathervane block into a handmade throw pillow for your couch or create a collection of 6-inch blocks for a summer mini quilt with this block pattern.

Designer Notes:

• Please read all instructions before beginning. Use 1/4″ seam allowance.
• Fabric line used: Hometown Holiday by Lori Holt for Riley Blake

Materials:

• Sewing machine
• Thread
• Disappearing fabric marking tool
• Iron/Ironing board or mat
• Cutting board/rotary cutter or scissors/straight edge quilting ruler

Cutting Instructions:

FABRIC CUT LIST FOR 6” BLOCK:

Background

• (1)  4” large square
• (12) 1 1/2” squares

Fabric A (Center and Corner units)

• (1) 4” large square
• (4) 1 1/2” squares
• (1) 2 1/2” center square

Fabric B (Side Units)

• (4) 2 1/2” squares

Trim size for Half Square Triangle Units: 1 1/2″ square

FABRIC CUT LIST FOR 12″ BLOCK:

Background

• (1)  6” large square
• (12) 2 1/2” squares

Fabric A (Center and Corner units)

• (1) 6” large square
• (4) 2 1/2” squares
• (1) 4 1/2” center square

Fabric B (Side Units)

• (4) 4 1/2” squares

Trim size for Half Square Triangle Units: 2 1/2” square

Piecing Instructions:

HOW TO MAKE A WEATHERVANE BLOCK:

The Weathervane Block is made up of two different quilting units: the side units are a simple square with two snowballed corners, and the corner units are a variation of a four patch.

MAKING THE SIDE UNITS:

For each Side Unit, you will need (1) Fabric B square and (2) Background squares.

Begin by drawing a line diagonally from corner to corner on each of the (8) Background squares.

1. Line up (1) Background square in one corner of the Fabric B square, right sides together, with the diagonal line going across the corner (not towards the point).
2. Sew along the line, then trim 1/4” from the seam and discard the excess.
3. Press open the new triangle corner of the unit.
   
   
4. Place the remaining Background square on an adjacent corner of the Fabric B square, with the diagonal line going across the corner.
5. Sew along the line, then trim 1/4” from the seam and discard the excess.
6. Press open the second triangle corner of the Side Unit.

Repeat Steps 1-6 to make a total of (4) Side Units.

MAKING HALF SQUARE TRIANGLES FOR THE CORNER UNITS:

For the Half Square Triangle Units (HSTs), use the 8 at a time method to make (8) HSTs using (1) Fabric A large square and (1) Background large square.

1. On the wrong side of the Background square, mark four diagonal lines across the square, making an X. Each line should be 1/4 inch from the center.
   1. To do this, line up the 1/4” marking of a quilting ruler from corner to corner on the square. Mark along the side of the ruler. Repeat on the other side of center. Repeat this process for the other diagonal.
2. Align the Background square on top of the Fabric A square, right sides together, and sew along the four marked lines.
3. Cut the block in half horizontally and vertically through the center, then cut along the marked lines between the seams and press open to create (8) HSTs.
4. Square up each HST to the required size (1 1/2” for 6” blocks, or 2 1/2” for 12” blocks.)

MAKING THE FOUR PATCH CORNER UNITS:

For each Four Patch Unit, you will need (1) Background square, (1) Fabric A square, and (2) HSTs.

1. Lay out the four squares in a 2 x 2 grid with the Background and Fabric A squares in opposite corners and the HSTs in the remaining corners. Be sure that the Fabric A corners of the HSTs are facing inward.
2. Sew together the top two squares. Sew together the bottom two squares. Press each seam away from the HST.
3. Sew the two rows together, nesting the center seam Press final seams as desired.

Repeat Steps 1-3 in this section to make a total of (4) Corner Units.

ASSEMBLING THE WEATHERVANE QUILT BLOCK:

1. Lay out the (4) Side Units, (4) Corner Units, and (1) Fabric A center square into a 3 x 3 grid, making sure that each unit is oriented correctly, as shown, with Background fabric in the corners and along the edges.
2. Sew each row together, pressing all seams toward the Side Units. (The top and bottom row seams should be pressed toward the middle. The center row seams should be pressed away from the middle.)
3. Sew the rows together. Press final seams as desired.