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.

Sunset Trail

Free Quilt Block Pattern

The Sunset Trail quilt block is a wonderful choice for a beginner quilter. I could not find the name of this block (if one exists) so my choice is due to my colour selection.

Careful and accurate sewing of your quarter inch seam allowance will make this block go together in no time. The block is created with only squares and rectangles, so the cutting is simple. The fun begins when you choose your colour palette -- whether you decide on a gradation theme, as I did, or perhaps a scrappy theme. The only criteria is that there is contrast between the "trail" pieces that are diagonally meandering through the centre of the block, and the rest of the fabrics. The extra value of this block is its directional nature. By rotating individual or groupings of blocks by 90 degrees, all sorts of different quilt designs can result.

Enjoy the process. :-)

~ More Directional Quilt Blocks

NEXT - Sample quilt layouts for SUNSET TRAIL quilt block