New to quilting? Click here for a beginner in-depth sewing class covering all the basics.
How to Sew an Electric Fan Quilt Block
The Electric Fan quilt block is a dynamic and visually striking design that creates a sense of movement and energy. It's built from three contrasting fabrics — background, star points, and center — and comes together beautifully with careful pressing and precise cutting.
Supplies:
- 3 contrasting fabrics: background, star points, and center
- Rotary cutter or fabric scissors, cutting mat & quilter's ruler
- Sewing machine, thread & pins
- Iron and ironing board
- Seam ripper (optional)
Step 1: Prepare your fabric. Wash, dry, and iron all fabrics before cutting to ensure accurate results.
Step 2: Determine your block size. This tutorial uses a 12" finished block. Adjust measurements as needed for your project.
Step 3: Cut your fabric.
- Background fabric: two 4½" squares and two 3½" × 9½" rectangles
- Star points fabric: four 3½" squares
- Center fabric: one 3½" square
Step 4: Construct the star points. Place one 3½" star points square on top of each background rectangle, right sides together, edges aligned. Sew diagonally across each square from corner to corner using a ¼" seam allowance. Trim the excess fabric leaving a ¼" seam allowance. Press seams open or toward the darker fabric. Repeat for all four squares.
Step 5: Assemble the block. Lay out the pieces as follows: place the star point units on opposite corners of the 4½" background squares, align the background rectangles on the remaining sides, and position the center square in the middle. Double-check the layout before sewing.
Step 6: Sew the rows. With right sides together, sew the top and bottom rows using a ¼" seam allowance. Press seams open or toward the darker fabric.
Step 7: Complete the block. Join the rows together, aligning seams carefully. Pin in place and stitch with a ¼" seam allowance. Press seams open or toward the darker fabric.
Step 8: Finishing touches. Trim any excess threads and press the entire block flat. Your Electric Fan block is complete!
Step 9: Build your quilt. Repeat to create additional blocks. Experiment with different fabric combinations and orientations for varied visual effects. Sew blocks together, adding sashing or borders as desired, to create your quilt top.
How to Resize Quilt Blocks
The first step in modifying any quilt block is to decide on the finished size. You can base this on doubling a pattern, cutting it in half, or working with your available fabric.
Important: Always remove the seam allowance before doubling or tripling the size. For example, if your pattern calls for 3½" squares, subtract the seam allowances (½"), double the finished block size (3" → 6"), then add the seam allowance back (½"). You'll end up cutting a 6½" piece of fabric.
Resizing Square Blocks
Add ½" to your desired 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 block that measures 3" × 4", cut a 6½" × 8½" rectangle of fabric.
Resizing Half-Square Triangle Blocks
Add ⅞" to the desired finished block size. For a 4" finished block, cut 4⅞" squares.
Resizing Quarter-Square Triangle Blocks
Add 1¼" to the desired finished block size. For a 4" finished block, cut your squares 5¼".
0 comments