North Wind Quilt Block Pattern

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How to Sew a North Wind Quilt Block

The North Wind quilt block is a traditional design that adds a classic and elegant touch to any quilt project.

Materials:

• Fabric in 2 colors: one for the background and one for the North Wind design
• Sewing machine & thread
• Rotary cutter, cutting mat & quilting ruler
• Iron

Cut your fabric:

• Background fabric: one 10½" square and four 3½" squares
• North Wind fabric: one 5" square and four 2½" squares

Instructions:

1. Cut the 5" North Wind fabric square in half diagonally to create two triangles.
2. Place two 2½" North Wind squares on opposite corners of the 10½" background square, right sides together. Sew in place with a ¼" seam allowance. Repeat with the remaining two corners.
3. Place one triangle on a corner of the background square, right sides together, aligning the longest edge with the edge of the background square. Sew with a ¼" seam allowance. Repeat on the opposite corner with the second triangle.
4. Press all seams flat with an iron.
5. Place one 3½" background square on a corner that has a North Wind triangle. Sew in place with a ¼" seam allowance. Repeat on the other corner.
6. Press all seams flat.

Your North Wind block is complete! Repeat to make as many blocks as needed, then arrange them in your favorite pattern to create a beautiful North Wind quilt.

Making Half-Square Triangles

This technique eliminates the need to directly manipulate the stretchy bias of the triangle. It uses two easy-to-cut squares to produce two half-square triangles.

On the back of the lighter fabric, draw a pencil line diagonally from corner to corner.

Stack a pair of light and dark squares right sides together. Sew a ¼" seam allowance on each side of the line.

You will end up with something like this:

Now cut along the diagonal line.

Press the seam to set it, then press toward the darkest fabric.

To trim to the exact size, line up the 45° diagonal on your ruler with the seam.

Then carefully trim your block with a rotary cutter.

Hidden Squares Technique

Sew the squares together.

Mark the wrong side of the unit with a pencil line aligning the corners of the squares and the intersection of the seams.

Line up the corner of the square or triangle you will add to the corner of the unit:

Sew a seam one thread’s width from the marked line — this tiny allowance makes room for the fold of the fabric so the point isn’t cut off the triangle. Then fold the triangle into position using the squares to assist alignment, and press.

Trim away excess fabric to reduce bulk, leaving a ¼" seam, and trim the ears.

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".