Many quiltmakers like to make six inch quilt blocks in order to use a greater variety of blocks in a sampler style quilt. Another reason might be to test out the look of a block in a smaller size in order to save on the fabrics (just in case the block looks very different than in your imagination).

Whatever your reason for creating six inch blocks, the pieces are all just smaller versions of larger sized quilt blocks -- such as the most popular size, the 12" quilt block. This is what makes quiltmaking so exciting -- you are the designer and get to choose all the components.

Dancing Shoofly

Sample Quilt Layouts

This "block within a block" called Dancing Shoofly is fun and easy to create. It contains only squares, rectangles and flying geese patches so works up quickly.

The two sample quilt layouts shown below both utilize extra pops of colour in the form of blank blocks (to showcase your quilting designs) and sashing strips to separate the blocks. Both of these designs use an on point quilt block layout but perhaps your quilt will use a standard side by side block setting. This is what makes quiltmaking such a fun hobby -- you get to be the designer.

Download the DANCING SHOOFLY free quilt block pattern

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