QCQAL 2: Row #1 -- Weathervane

Welcome to the FIRST tutorial for our second Quilter's Choice Quilt Along!

This week we have our first of two 12" block rows and this week we are making Weathervane blocks. 

This block is a classic. It can be found in the Farmer's Wife quilt, but more modern versions have taken it and added new life and fun to it. I've made my blocks (and subsequently, this tutorial) based off a three color version of this block that is similar to a more "traditional" Weathervane block. Click here to see a great tutorial for a more modern Weathervane.

For a throw quilt, you will need to make a total of four (4) blocks.

For a twin quilt, you will need to make a total of six (6) blocks. 

I am making a twin sized quilt so I decided to make three blocks each in two different sets of fabric. and alternate them in the row. Darling!

The cutting diagram below shows how to cut for one (1) block. This way, if you want to do one block at a time (or make a scrappy block) you can easily cut one block at a time. The directions below the diagram list the total number of pieces for a throw quilt and then for a twin sized quilt.

For one block:

For a throw, you will need a total of:
Four (4) 4.5 inch squares for center squares

Sixteen (16) 4.5 inch squares for side squares

Sixteen (16) 2.5 inch squares

Sixteen (16) 3 inch squares (for HSTs)
Sixteen (16) 3 inch background squares (for HSTs)
Forty eight (48) 2.5 inch background squares

For a twin, you will need a total of:
Six (6) 4.5" squares for center squares

Twenty four (24) 4.5 inch squares for side squares

Twenty four (24) 2.5 inch squares

Twenty four (24) 3 inch squares (for HSTs)
Twenty four (24) 3 inch background squares (for HSTs)
Seventy two (72) 2.5 inch background squares

Draw diagonal lines on each of your 3 inch background squares. Pair with 3 inch focus fabric squares and sew on each side of the diagonal line. Cut apart along diagonal line, and press. Trim each square to 2.5 inches. You will need eight (8) HSTs per block.

Lay out corner units as shown below and sew together like a four patch using your HSTs, focus fabric 2.5 inch squares, and 2.5 inch background squares. Make sure your HSTs are oriented correctly! You will need four (4) of these units per block.

Using your remaining 2.5 inch squares to sew two stitch and flip corners on each of your 4.5 inch squares that will go along the sides of your block. Align each 2.5 inch square with the corner of the larger square and sew along the diagonal. Trim off the excess fabric 1/4 inch from the seam and press. Repeat on one adjacent corner. You will need four (4) of these units per block.

Lay out each of your blocks as shown below and sew together for your final block!

Here are my six blocks before I sewed them into a row:

Alrighty folks, you have two weeks to make either four or six blocks before the next row comes out! In two weeks, we will have our link-up for both rows 1 and 2.