Broken Dishes Quilt Block Pattern
This patchwork quilt block is a variation of the design commonly referred to as Broken Dishes. Its center, made from four half square triangles, is the layout that typically comes to mind when we hear that name. (Examples: Broken Dishes Baby Quilt, baby quilt made by combining Broken Dishes and Hourglass blocks)This quilt block is oversize, and finishes at 15" x 15", nice dimensions for a wallhanging's medallion center, or to sew side by side into a bed quilt. The quilt block is also a perfect size for throw pillow covers.
You'll find a couple of quilt layout "what-ifs" on the following pages, one with sashing and cornerstones sewn between blocks and one where blocks are sewn side by side. In the side by side version, notice that alternating blocks have different corners -- the variation turns the intersection where block corners meet into four patch units. If all corners were the same, the patches would blend together, with no colorplay.
Half square triangle units are used to create many of the block's grids. Cutting instructions are for the easy sandwich method. Alter the instructions if you use another method, or if you like to make slightly oversize units and then cut them back (for more precision).
Materials for One Quilt Block
Black:
- (4) 3-1/2" x 3-1/2" squares
- (1) 5-3/8" x 5-3/8" square
Muticolor print with black:
- (2) 5-3/8" x 5-3/8" square
Multicolor gold print
- (4) 3-7/8" x 3-7/8" squares
- (1) 5-3/8" x 5-3/8" square
Light neutral print
- (4) 3-1/2" x 3-1/2" squares
- (4) 3-7/8" x 3-7/8" squares
