From Janet Wickell,
Your Guide to Quilting.
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The Broken Dishes quilt block is made up of four half square triangle units. These instructions use the sandwich method, but there are other ways to construct them. Change cutting instructions as needed if you use another method.

You'll make twelve Broken Dishes quilt blocks, each with a finished size of 9" square.

Refer to the illustration on page 5 for a close-up of fabrics.

Cutting Instructions

Cut two 5-3/8" x 42" strips of each fabric below; cut twelve 5-3/8" x 5-3/8" squares from each fabric:

• Pink/yellow plaid-like fabric

• Medium lavender plaid-like fabric

• Light pink (floral/butterfly) print

• Pink geometric/floral print

Assemble the Broken Dishes Quilt Block

1. Combine a pink/yellow "plaid" square with a light pink floral/butterfly print square. Use the sandwich method to create two half square triangle units from the pair. Each completed unit should measure 5" x 5". Chain piece to speed things along.

2. Repeat, combining all remaining pairs of the same two fabrics to make a total of twenty-four identical half square triangle units.

3. Combine each medium lavender "plaid-like" square with a pink geometric print square to create a total of twenty-four identical half square triangle units. Each should mesure 5" x 5".

4. Sew the units together in two rows, each row containing two different half square triangle units. Be sure to position squares so that triangles are oriented as shown in the illustration.

5. Sew the units in each row together as shown here and on page 5. Press seam allowance towards the darker fabric. Sew rows together, butting center seam for a snug fit. The quilt block should measure 9-1/2" x 9-1/2".

6. Make a total of twelve identical quilt blocks.