Merry Kite, an Easy 3D Quilt Block Pattern

By Janet Wickell

Quilting Expert

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Merry Kite Quilt Block Pattern

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Learn how to make Merry Kite quilt blocks. Photo Credit: Janet Wickell

Updated November 11, 2015.

Sew 3D Quilt Blocks

Use my Merry Kite quilt block pattern to create a quilt with a 3-dimensional look.

Use color value differences (contrast) to add depth to areas of the Merry Kite quilt block -- the square center and angled bars that radiate outwards from it are prime spots for experimentation.

Sew the bars in two different color values to give them a box-like appearance, but you needn't use my colors.

Fabrics with more contrast will create even more of a 3D look.

The block's patchwork is sewn with easy-to-assemble units -- flying geese and half square triangle units, along with simple rotary cut squares. We'll use two different methods to sew the flying geese.

Merry Kite finishes at 12 inches square.

Fabrics for One Merry Kite Quilt Block

Use my colors as a guide for placement, but substitute your own choices.

Tan Background

(8) 2-1/2" x 2-1/2" squares*
(1) 5-1/4" x 5-1/4" square

Dark Brown

(1) 4-1/2" x 4-1/2" square
(4) 2-1/2" x 2-1/2" squares*

Red

(4) 2-7/8" x 2-7/8" squares
(4) 2-1/2" x 4-1/2" rectangles

Light Neutral

(4) 2-1/2" x 2-1/2" squares
(2) 2-7/8" x 2-7/8" squares (for half square triangle units - cut larger to sew oversize units and then trim back for accuracy)

Green

(4) 2-1/2" x 2-1/2" squares
(2) 2-7/8" x 2-7/8" squares (or same size as light neutral squares cut for half square triangle units)

*A portion of the 2-1/2" brown and tan squares could be replaced by strip pieced segments. See the bottom of page 2 for more information.

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Sew the Merry Kite Quilt Blocks

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Assemble Merry Kite Quilt Blocks - Janet Wickell

Assemble Merry Kite Quilt Blocks. Photo Credit: Janet Wickell

Sew Outermost Flying Geese

When possible, press to set seams before pressing seam allowances to one side.

The outermost flying geese are sewn from two fabrics, red and background, and end up at the outer midpoints of rows. Drawing A.

Gather the 5-1/4" x 5-1/4" background square and the (4) 2-7/8" x 2-7/8" red squares. Draw a diagonal line from one corner to the opposite corner on the reverse side of each red square. Refer to my No Waste Flying Geese tutorial to create four flying geese from the squares -- each should measure 2-1/2" x 4-1/2" when complete.

Sew the Inner Flying Geese

The inner flying geese are created with three fabrics -- red, green and light neutral. Each is sewn just beneath the outermost geese units. Drawing B.

Draw a diagonal line from one corner to the opposite corner on the reverse side of each 2-1/2" x 2-1/2" light neutral and green square.
Use a different quick pieced flying geese technique to sew a square to each end of the rectangle. Take care to position colors as shown in the drawing.
After sewing, trimming and pressing, each of the geese should measure 2-1/2" x 4-1/2".

Sew the Half Square Triangle Units

Drawing C. Gather the 2-7/8" x 2-7/8" squares cut from green and light neutral fabrics (2 of each). Draw a diagonal line from one corner to the opposite corner on the reverse side of the lightest two squares.
Use my quick pieced half square triangle unit method to sew contrasting squares together. The end result will be four units that measure 2-1/2" x 2-1/2" each.

Important Note for Beginning Quilters

New quilters sometimes confuse the three techniques above.

When you try different sewing methods, pay close attention to where seams are sewn, because sometimes they are sewn directly on the marked line and sometimes they are offset.

Assemble the Merry Kite Quilt Block

Arrange the patchwork assembled on this page, along with the pre-cut squares, into five rows as shown in the middle drawing. Check to make sure all angles are oriented correctly.
Sew components of each row together with a quarter inch seam allowance.
Press seam allowances in adjoining rows in opposite directions. Join the rows and press. The quilt block should measure 12-1/2" x 12-1/2".

You'll find that it reduces bulk when seam allowances are pressed towards plain squares, but that isn't always practical for all seams in this block or others.