BLOCKS by SIZE 6" Quilt Blocks

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.

Jawhawks

Sample Quilt Layouts

The Jawhawks quilt block (often mistakenly written as Jayhawks), was a new one to me. I had never even heard the word before. Apparently, jawhawk is American slang from ~ 1890 and means "to abuse, to vilify or to jaw". (Now what this word would have to do with quilting is beyond me. However, I don't make up the names for these quilt blocks -- well, rarely that is. I just make the patterns for you.) :-)

The quilt block is a simple nine patch with basic patches -- half square triangles and flying geese units for the most part. I chose to use a sort of monochrome look for the blocks and resultant quilts. However, as long as there is lots of contrast in the blocks, any colour combination you choose will look spectacular.

The sample quilt layouts illustrated appear to be similar, but one quilt has the blocks set side by side with sashing strips in between and the second quilt features blocks set on point. Any way you choose to set the blocks in your quilt layout will produce a pleasing and unique end product. That is what makes quilting such a fun and creative activity -- rarely do two quilts using the same blocks look the same!