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.

Free Trade

Sample Quilt Layouts

The Free Trade quilt block is a simple nine patch design using only basic patches -- squares, half square triangles and flying geese units. If you happen to be a teacher of quiltmaking, this is a perfect block to choose for a class of beginner quilters.

The two sample quilt layouts shown below are both designed with an on point setting of the blocks, but look very different. The quilt layout on the left uses colourful blank blocks and setting triangles for some additional flair. The right quilt separates the blocks with sashing strips for a totally different look.

Side note ~ Don't be limited to using a monochrome colour scheme as I have chosen here. This quilt block and subsequent quilts would look fabulous as a scrappy version or with a totally different colour palette.

Download the FREE TRADE free quilt block pattern

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