It's week #6 of the 2021 Riley Blake Quilt Block Challenge - and this week it's my turn to share my block! This free quilt block pattern is called Windmill.
I always love a classic star quilt block design. And I love how the pinwheel effect in this star quilt block creates so many fun opportunities for playing with color and fabric.
You can find and print the free Windmill quilt block pattern here.
Piecing Tips and Tricks
This quilt block is made using all Half Square Triangle blocks. Here is my favorite short-cut tip and tool for making perfect Half Square Triangles. It saves so much time and and makes your block come together so nicely.
Here are the first 6 blocks I've made from the patterns released so far. You can find all 6 block patterns HERE.
If you’re new to the 2021 Riley Blake Quilt Block challenge, it’s never too late to join and sew along. You can read more about the RBD Quilt Block challenge, the fabrics I’m using for my blocks, and tips for piecing intricate quilt blocks here.
Above are the prints and solids that I’m using. For solids I’m I’m Riley Blake Confetti Cottons in Cloud, Songbird, Tearose, Redwood, and Oxford Blue.
Oxford Blue is going to be my background fabric for the whole quilt. In tallying up the fabric requirements listed for the quilt, I’m estimating 3 ¾ yards as a generous amount. (Might end up being less, but I’m erring on the side of having plenty.)
At this point I’m thinking of using Songbird as my contrasting Sashing and Binding – which would require an additional yard. I’m afraid I probably won’t make a decision about the contrasting corner stones fabric until I get the quilt laid out, so I don’t want to commit to one yet. I will choose a print or solid that is easily available at that point.
The prints I’m using are from my Notting Hill fabric collection, currently available in shops. I’m using the whites, blues, and red prints from that line. (Some shops stocking these prints and solids include, Simply Love Fabrics, SoJo Fabric, Stitches N Giggles, Lou Lou’s Fabric Company, The Fat Quarter Shop, and Fort Worth Fabric Studio..)
This quilt is a mystery quilt with three new blocks released each month until June. You can get the fabric requirements for the full quilt + print all of the past block patterns here.
Each month there will be three new patterns released the first three Tuesdays of the month. The rest of the month is available for "catch-up" time - making this a really easy quilt-along to stay caught up with!
I'm so excited to see next month's blocks!
Robyn
Amy, I'm quick off the mark, but the link doesn't seem to be working.
Amy
Oh dear - I hate when I put in wrong links. Which link is broken and I'll get it fixed!
RaeLyn
Love this simple and fun block! Thank You!
Robyn
The link to the pattern is all better now, thank you. Now, off to make the block!
Melissa
Thank you, so much! I get great inspiration from your blog. (Mind you, I'm more of a dreamer and less of a doer, but, you are the person who inspires the things that I actually DO!) Your blog reads as if I'm chatting with a friend, and I have appreciated that more this past year than you might imagine.
Amy
Aww, I'm so glad. I get it! I have a bunch of blogs that I feel that way about too. Thanks so much, Melissa. xo