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.

Hansel and Gretel

Free Quilt Block Pattern

The Hansel and Gretel quilt block is an easy block featuring two frequently used patches -- namely the half square triangle and (my favourite patch) the flying geese unit. But, that is not all. Also in this block, the centre patch is comprised of a much underused (at least in my opinion) patch called the square in a square. All in all this is a simple nine patch block, which would be a good choice for a beginner quilter.

This quilt block might look familiar and it is similar to Texas Shoofly and Churn Dash. See if you can see the similarities.

The sample quilts illustrated are both set on point but, as you can see, they look very different in the end. So, what amazing heirloom can you come up with?

NEXT - Sample quilt layouts for HANSEL AND GRETEL quilt block