The Crows Nest Quilt Block

The crows nest quilt block is a twisted variation of the twisted star or the wandering star. It is fun to use different methods on old favorite patterns to see what the end result will be.

This pattern uses half square triangles and quarter square triangles.

To complete one block for a sampler quilt:

Materials:
Fat quarter fabric in four colors
(tan, purple, purple print and burgundy)
Batting
Backing

Step 1 - Use the rotary cutting techniques.

Cut 2 patches 3 ½” square from the tan fabric.
Cut 3 patches 4” square from the tan fabric.
Cut 2 patches 3½” square from the purple fabric.
Cut 2 patches 4” square from the purple fabric.
Cut 1 patch 4” square from the purple print fabric.
Cut 1 patch 3½” square from the purple print fabric. Sub cut the square into 2 triangles.
Cut 1 patch 3½” square from the burgundy fabric. Sub cut the square into 2 triangles.

Step 2 - Use the half square triangle method.

Place one 3 ½” square of tan and one 3 ½” square of purple fabric, right sides together. Draw a line on the diagonal on the lighter fabric from one corner to the opposite corner. Stitch ¼” on each side of the marked line.

Cut on the drawn line with your rotary cutter or scissors to separate the square into triangles.

Fold open the square and press the seam allowances toward the darker fabric. Using your plastic ruler, trim the square to be 2 ½”. Be sure to use the 45 degree angle on your ruler.

Complete 4 tan/purple half square units.

Step 3 - Use the quarter square triangle method.

A quarter square triangle is ¼ of a square. Follow the directions as you would for a half square triangle.

Place one 4” square of purple print fabric and one 4” square of tan fabric, right sides together. Draw a line on the diagonal on the lighter fabric from one corner to the opposite corner. Draw another line in the opposite direction, forming an X. Stitch ¼” on each side of only one of the marked lines.

Cut along both of the drawn lines. Press the seam allowance toward the darker fabric. This yields 4 quarter squares or 4 small triangles.

Stitch one purple print/tan quarter square triangle to one purple print/tan quarter square triangle unit right sides together with the purple print fabric opposite the tan fabric. Match the seam in the center. This creates an X or a complete quarter square triangle unit. This is the center unit of the crows nest quilt block.

Step 4 - Repeat the quarter square triangle process using one 4” square of purple fabric and one 4” square of tan fabric.

You will need 2 sewn patches from the purple/tan 4” square units in order to complete 8 quarter square triangle units. For the block, you only need 4 quarter square triangle units for the crows nest quilt block but each unit needs to have the purple triangle pointing in the same direction to create the desired look of the pattern.

Stitch one purple/tan quarter square triangle to one burgundy triangle right sides together. Make sure you use the quarter square unit with the purple triangle pointing towards the outer edge of the block.

Complete 2 burgundy/purple/tan units.

Step 5 - Stitch one purple/tan quarter square triangle to one purple print triangle right sides together. Again, make sure you use the quarter square unit with the purple triangle pointing towards the outer edge of the block.

Complete 2 purple print/purple/tan units.

Step 6 - Sew row one. Purple/tan half square triangle, purple print/purple/tan 3 triangle unit, purple/tan half square triangle.

Step 7 - Sew row two. Burgundy/purple/tan 3 triangle unit, purple print quarter square triangle unit (from step 3), burgundy purple/tan 3 triangle unit.

Step 8 - Sew row three. Purple/tan half square triangle unit, purple print/purple/tan 3 triangle unit, purple/tan half square triangle unit.

Step 9 - Sew the rows together to complete the crows nest quilt block.

Go to Free Quilt Block Patterns from The Crows Nest Quilt Block