New to quilting? Check out our beginner quilting class covering all the basics.
How to Sew a Broken Dishes Quilt Block
The Broken Dishes quilt block is a classic design using four half-square triangles in two contrasting fabrics arranged in a pinwheel-like pattern to create a bold, dynamic effect. It's a wonderful block for beginners and experienced quilters alike!
Materials Needed
- Two contrasting fabrics
- Rotary cutter, cutting mat, and ruler
- Sewing machine and coordinating thread
- Pins and iron
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Cut your fabric. Cut two 5" squares from each of your two contrasting fabrics (four squares total).
- Make the HSTs. Place one square from each fabric right sides together. Draw a diagonal line from corner to corner on the back of the lighter square. Cut diagonally across the square to create two triangles per pair.
- Sew the triangles. Take one triangle from each fabric, place right sides together with long sides aligned, and sew a ¼" seam along the long side. Repeat with the remaining triangles. Press seams open.
- Trim the blocks to 4½" square using a square ruler.
- Arrange the blocks in the Broken Dishes pattern — one fabric in the center, the other on the outer edges, creating the broken dishes effect.
- Sew the blocks together, pinning and sewing a ¼" seam along each edge.
- Press the seams open to reduce bulk.
- Trim the finished block to 8½" square.
Congratulations — your Broken Dishes quilt block is complete! Repeat to create additional blocks and arrange them into a beautiful quilt.
No-Bias HST Technique
This technique eliminates the need to directly manipulate the stretchy bias of the triangle. It uses two easy-to-cut squares and produces two HSTs at once.
Step 1: Draw the Diagonal Line
On the back of the lighter fabric, draw a pencil line diagonally from corner to corner.
Step 2: Sew Both Sides of the Line
Stack a pair of light and dark squares right sides together. Sew a ¼" seam on each side of the line.
You will end up with something like this:
Step 3: Cut, Press, and Trim
Press the seam to set it, then press toward the darkest fabric.
Line up the 45° diagonal angle on your ruler with the seam, then carefully trim with a rotary cutter.
Four Patch Technique
The secret to the perfect four patch is pressing seams so they butt together when joined.
Cut two A squares and two B squares. Using chain piecing, join one A square to one B square, right sides together, with a scant ¼" seam allowance. Press toward the dark fabric.
Press all seams toward the dark fabric so they butt up. Place the two A/B units right sides together, butting seams. Pin if needed, join with a scant ¼" seam allowance, then press.
You can apply this technique to all kinds of four patch blocks. As long as a block has a 4×4 grid, the basic principles apply.
How to Resize Quilt Blocks
The first step in modifying any quilt block is to decide on your finished block size. You can base this on doubling a pattern, cutting it in half, or working with your available fabric.
Note: When working from a pattern's cutting instructions, remove the seam allowance before scaling. For example, if your pattern calls for 3½″ squares, subtract the seam allowance (½″), double the finished size (3″ → 6″), then add the seam allowance back (½″) — giving you a 6½″ cut piece.
Resizing Square Blocks
Add ½″ to your finished block measurement. For a 4″ finished square, cut a 4½″ square of fabric.
Resizing Rectangular Blocks
Add ½″ to both the length and width. To double a 3″ × 4″ block, cut a 6½″ × 8½″ rectangle.
Resizing Half-Square Triangle Blocks
Add 7/8″ to the desired finished block size. For a 4″ finished HST block, cut 4⅞″ squares.
Resizing Quarter Square Triangle Blocks
Add 1¼″ to the desired finished block size. For a 4″ finished block, cut 5¼″ squares.
0 comments