For those quilters wanting a little more of a challenge, five inch quilt blocks might be the answer -- smaller blocks usually means more blocks to make. Another reason for using five inch blocks is to create a secondary pattern. By using 4 blocks and rotating each of them, you get a different larger quilt block. These larger blocks can then be laid out in variety of ways to make some very interesting original designs.

Flying Square

Sample Quilt Layouts

I noticed right away that this simple five patch block called Flying Square looked like a plaid or tartan design, and so, I created the two sample quilt layouts shown below with that thought in mind, featuring the colours in one of the many Johnson clan tartans.

The quilt layout illustrated on the left sets the blocks side by side. By separating the blocks with sashing strips of a variety of colour combinations, I think I achieved the look of the tartan.

The quilt layout featured on the right sets the quilt blocks on point for a different look. The sashing strips use different colours in opposite directions to add that little bit of an accent that you would see in a plaid fabric.

Download the FLYING SQUARE free quilt block pattern

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