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.

Garden Square

Sample Quilt Layouts

The Garden Square quilt block is designed as an "optical illusion" and is created using different values of the same colour fabric. A similar block uses this same idea -- Folded Corners -- and I would consider the Garden Square block as the next step for your skills. See if you can spot the different in the two blocks.

In order to break up the monochrome look of the block when placed in a quilt, I have added an extra pop of colour in both of the quilt layouts shown below. The red adds just that little bit of "pizzazz" in the quilt design. Both of these quilt layouts place the block on point, but with very different results. What is your preference?

Check out other "optical illusion" blocks:
~ Folded Corners
~ Formal Frame
~ Interlocking Chain
~ Plaited Block
~ Ribbon Star
~ Twisted Ribbon

Download the GARDEN SQUARE free quilt block pattern

BACK to GARDEN SQUARE quilt block