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.

Illinois

Free Quilt Block Pattern

The Illinois quilt block is just one more addition to my ever-growing category of Cities and Places quilt blocks.

This nine patch design features three different pieced patches -- the half square triangle unit and (my personal favourite patch), the flying geese, and finally, an (often underused patch -- at least in my opinion), the square in a square unit for the centre of the block.

All in all, this block is a wonderful choice to learn the different pieced patches if you are new to quiltmaking.

~ More Cities and Places quilt blocks

~ Similar quilt block - Cups and Saucers

NEXT - Sample quilt layouts for ILLINOIS quilt block