By Laura Loewen

April’s block is a Stacked Pyramids block. You can create interesting effects with this block by selecting different fabric combinations. This block uses the no waste flying geese (FG) method. However, you will have some extra units to use for a future challenge project. Please reference the No Waste Flying Geese Tutorial for detailed instructions.

We suggest using six fabrics for this block. If you need help planning out your colors, you can download a coloring sheet for the whole quilt here.

Step 1

Cut fabric pieces from your chosen fabrics.

Fabric A:

(24) 3” squares

Fabric B:

(1) 5.25” square

Fabric C:

(1) 5.25” square

Fabric D:

(2) 5.25” squares

Fabric E:

(1) 5.25” square

Fabric F:

(1) 5.25” square

Units needed for Stacked Pyramids block:

(4) 2.5” X 4.5” A/B FG units

(4) 2.5” X 4.5” A/C FG units

(6) 2.5” X 4.5” A/D FG units [There will be (2) additional units from no waste method*]

(2) 2.5” X 4.5” A/E FG units [There will be (2) additional units from no waste method*]

(2) 2.5” X 4.5” A/F FG units [There will be (2) additional) units from no waste method*]

Step 2

Assemble FG units using no waste construction method.

Make one set each of A/B, A/C, A/E, and A/F FG units. Make 2 sets of A/D FG units.

Reference our no waste flying geese tutorial for detailed instructions.

Step 3

Arrange block layout.

Step 4

Begin block construction with inner most pieces. Continue assembly by working from center to outer most pieces. See photos for step-by-step assembly process.

Step 5

Trim block to 12.5” square.

Boulder MQG members can download a PDF of the pattern in the member area.

Play along with us and make sure you share your blocks so we can see your progress! On Instagram use #bouldermqgbom18 and tag us @bouldermqg  On Facebook share your blocks on the Boulder Modern Quilt Guild page. We may even share your blocks on our blog, Facebook, or Instagram!

*Make sure to save the extra pieces from your block for a special challenge project later in the year.

By Laura Loewen

Our March block is a Squash Blossom. This is a modern block with an Aztec feel. It uses squares, rectangles, half-square triangle (HST) units, and single flying geese (FG) units. Please reference our paired HST tutorial, and single FG tutorial for these units. Measurements given for single FG units allow for trimming to size as noted at the end of the single FG tutorial.

We suggest using three fabrics for this block. If you need help planning out your colors, you can download a coloring sheet for the whole quilt here, or just the January, February, and March blocks here.

Step 1

Cut fabric pieces from your chosen fabrics

Fabric A (white):

(4) 2.5” squares

(4) 2.5” X 4.5” rectangles

(2) 3” squares for HST units

(2) 2.75” X 4.75” rectangles for FG units

(4) 2.75” squares for FG units

Fabric B (black):

(4) 2.5” X 4.5” rectangles

(2) 3” squares for HST units

(4) 2.75” X 4.75” rectangles for FG units

(4) 2.75” squares for FG units

Fabric C (red):

(4) 2.75” squares for FG units

Units needed for Squash Blossom block:

(2) 2.5” X 4.5” A/B FG units

(2) 2.5” X 4.5” B/A FG units

(2) 2.5” X 4.5” B/C FG units

(4) 2.5” X 4.5” A rectangles

(4) 2.5” X 4.5” B rectangles

(4) 2.5” square A/B HST units

(4) 2.5” A squares

Step 2

Assemble A/B, B/A, and B/C single FG units.

Pair together (1) 2.75” X 4.75” A rectangle with (2) 2.75” B squares. X 2

Pair together (1) 2.75” X 4.75” B rectangle with (2) 2.75” A squares. X 2

Pair together (1) 2.75” X 4.75” B rectangle with (2) 2.75” C squares. X 2

Reference our single FG tutorial for detailed instructions.

Step 3

Assemble (4) 2.5” A/B HST units from 3” squares.

Reference paired HST tutorial for detailed instructions.

Step 4

Arrange block layout.

Step 5

Assemble pieces into 9 units as shown before assembling block.

Step 6

Trim block to 12.5” square.

Boulder MQG members can download a PDF of the pattern in the member area.

Play along with us and make sure you share your blocks so we can see your progress! On Instagram use #bouldermqgbom18 and tag us @bouldermqg  On Facebook share your blocks on the Boulder Modern Quilt Guild page.We may even share your blocks on our blog, Facebook, or Instagram!

By Laura Loewen

The Sawtooth Star has been around since 1884 and is one of the most iconic classic quilt blocks. Our February block is a simple divided variation. This effect makes the block bold and graphic. This block uses squares, rectangles, single flying geese (FG), and half-square triangle (HST) units. Please reference our paired HST tutorial and single flying goose tutorial for detailed steps in creating these units.

We suggest using two fabrics for this block. If you need help planning out your colors, you can download a coloring sheet for the whole quilt here, or just the January, February, and March blocks here.

Step 1

Cut fabric pieces from your chosen fabrics.

Fabric A (yellow):

(4) 3.5” squares

(2) 4” squares

(2) 3.5” X 6.5” rectangles

Fabric B (black):

(4) 3.5” squares

(2) 4” squares

(2) 3.5” X 6.5” rectangles

Units needed for Divided Sawtooth Star block:

(4) 3.5” A/B HST units

(2) 3.5” A squares

(2) 3.5” B squares

(1) 3.5” X 6.5” A rectangle

(1) 3.5” X 6.5” B rectangle

(1) 3.5” X 6.5” A/B FG unit

(1) 3.5” X 6.5” B/A FG unit

Step 2

Assemble (4) A/B HST units from 4” squares. Trim to 3.5”.

Reference paired HST tutorial for detailed instructions.

Step 3

Assemble A/B and B/A single FG units from (2) 3.5” squares of each color and (1) 3.5” X 6.5” rectangle of each color. Pair opposite colors to create opposite FG units.

Reference single FG tutorial for detailed instructions.

Step 4

Arrange your block layout.

Step 5

Assemble your block.

Step 6

Trim block to 12.5” square.

Boulder MQG members can download a PDF of the pattern in the member area.

Play along with us and make sure you share your blocks so we can see your progress! On Instagram use #bouldermqgbom18 and tag us @bouldermqg  On Facebook share your blocks on the Boulder Modern Quilt Guild page. We may even share your blocks on our blog, Facebook, or Instagram!

By Laura Loewen

When you need multiple flying geese (FG) of identical fabrics it is easiest to make them with the no waste FG method. This method makes 4 FG units. Begin with one large square cut 1.25” larger than your finished FG width, long side, and four small squares cut 1” larger than your finished FG height, short side. Our example shows a finished FG unit at 2”x4”, so we begin with (1) 5.25” square [long side + 1.25”], and (4) 3” squares [short side + 1”]. This can be translated to any size FG units you desire.

Step 1

Align (2) of the small squares to opposite corners of the larger square. Draw a line diagonal across both small squares, corner to corner of the large square.

Step 2

Sew ¼” on both sides of the drawn line.

Step 3

Cut on drawn line. Press open.

Step 4

Align a remaining small square to each of the units created. Draw a diagonal line perpendicular to the first seam, corner to corner of the small square.

Step 5

Sew ¼” on both sides of drawn lines of both units created.

Step 6

Cut along drawn lines. Press open.