Little Five-Patch Chain Quilt Block Pattern
Here's another small block that can be used in many ways -- for baby quilts, wallhangings, placemats, table runners and lots more. It would take a bit to assemble it, but you can use small blocks like this in bed-size quilts too, or sew them in groups of four and place the square group next to a larger 10" (finished) block or 10" (finished) plain square, just to add variety.Identical blocks look best when separated by a plain square or alternate block (my opinion), or separated with sashing, but scrappy blocks do well when sewn side-by-side. I've included the image of a small quilt on page 4. Called Busy-ness in Blue, I'd be happy to publish the pattern if there's an interest.
Precise cutting, sewing and pressing is always important, but it's critical for the success of small blocks, because slight deviations in either affect a larger percentage of the little patches. For tips on all three, see:
Finished block size: 5" x 5"
Fabrics and Cutting
I wanted the two floral fabrics to blend into each other a bit so that they would form a squarish-appearance around the block -- with a bit of a darker deviation at corners. But you can choose colors and color values with much more contrast if you like. Just plug your fabric choices into the right "slots."Multicolor Plaid for bars that radiate from the block's center:
- (4) 1-1/2" x 2-1/2" rectangles
Darkish floral for block corners and center square:
- (1) 1-1/2" x 1-1/2" square
- (1) 1-1/2" x 6-1/2" strip
Lighter, "airier" floral for squares adjacent to corner squares
- (2) 1-1/2" x 6-1/2" strips
Light neutral for "interior" squares
- (1) 1-1/2" x 6-1/2" strip
