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Eight inch quilt blocks are commonly used in quilts that are made up of one block only and the parts are easily divisible by four. Also, by setting the blocks in different layouts, you can create many different new designs -- sometimes with just a simple rotation of the block. This is not to say that larger or smaller versions of the same quilt block cannot be used in your quilt. Once again, you are the designer.
Vortex
Free Quilt Block Pattern
The Vortex quilt block is a simple four patch design featuring half square triangles and a patch that is underused, (in my opinion) and that is what is known as a three quarter square triangle patch. This last unit is comprised of a half square triangle and two quarter square triangle pieces to make up the completed patch. (These different pieces are used in order that the completed unit keeps the straight of grain edge on the outside. This in important in order to avoid distortion of the pieces as they are handled.)
This quilt block is sort of an optical illusion representing a swirling "vortex" (hence the name of the block). I see a pinwheel spinning in the centre. All sorts of interesting arrangements can be made using this block over and over in your quilt. Two sample quilts are illustrated on the following page.