The Milky Way Quilt Block

The milky way quilt block is a variation of the windmill quilt block with the four patch blocks in the corners.

Be creative with your color combinations.

The milky way quilt block uses half square triangles.

To complete one block for a sampler quilt:

Materials:
Fat quarter fabric in three colors
(red, white and blue)
Backing
Batting

Step 1 - Use the rotary cutting techniques.
Cut 1 patch 2 ½” square from the red fabric.
Cut 2 patches 3 ½” square from the red fabric.
Cut 2 patches 3 ½” square from the white fabric.
Cut 1 strip 1 ½” x 12” from the white fabric.
Cut 1 strip 1 ½” x 12” from the blue fabric.

Step 2 - Use the half square triangle method.

Place one 3 ½” square of red fabric and one 3 ½” square of white, 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.

You will need a total of 4 half square triangles measuring 2 ½”.

Step 3 - Sew the white 1 ½” strip to the blue 1 ½” strip to make a strip 2 ½” x 12”. Press the seam to the darker fabric. Sub cut the strip into 2 ½” patches.

Step 4 - Sew one white/blue patch to another white/blue patch with the dark squares opposite each other to create a four patch unit. Check the picture for the correct placement.

Step 5 - Sew row one, white/blue four patch unit, red half square triangle, white/blue four patch unit. Be sure to check for the proper placement of the red half square triangle. This will affect your pattern.

Step 6 - Sew row two, red/white half square triangle, red square, red/white half square triangle.

Step 7 - Sew row three, white/blue four patch unit, red/white half square triangle, white/blue four patch unit.

Step 8 - Sew the rows together to complete the milky way quilt block.

Go to Free Quilt Block Patterns from the Milky Way Quilt Block