Quilt block · Stars · Intermediate

Favorite Block quilt block

A dark center square with plain squares round it, flying geese at the middle of each side, and in each corner a big half-square triangle with a small square and two triangles. Also called Diamond Ring.

FamilyFour-patch
Grid8 × 8
Units4 flying geese, 21 squares
Pieces45

What to cut for one block

A 12″ finished block measures 12½″ before it’s sewn into a quilt. Each fabric’s yardage is the least that cuts its strips across the width of fabric, with a strip to spare for straightening.

Background · Snow in the picture

4 squares, 8 rectangles and 16 triangles

  • D4 squares 3½″
  • A4 squares 2⅜″cut once on the diagonal
  • F4 squares 2⅜″cut once on the diagonal
  • C8 rectangles 3½″ × 2″
⅜ yd

Dark · Navy in the picture

9 squares, 4 geese and 4 triangles

  • A1 square 4¼″cut twice on the diagonals
  • E2 squares 3⅞″cut once on the diagonal
  • D1 square 3½″
  • B8 squares 2″
½ yd

Worked out by @quarterinch/cutting · ¼″ seams included · strips cut across 42″ of usable width · the letters are the pieces the sewing steps name

How it’s sewn

For the 12″ block. Choose another size above and these steps follow it.

  1. Make 4 flying geese units

    Sew a sky triangle to one short side of the goose triangle and press toward the sky; then the other. The goose’s point sits ¼″ below the top edge. Each measures 3½″ × 2″ (3″ × 1½″ finished).

  2. Add 8 corner triangles

    Sew the Background F triangle across each corner in turn, along its long edge, and press toward the triangle.

  3. Add 4 corner triangles

    Sew the Dark E triangle across the corner, along its long edge, and press toward the triangle. Each measures 3½″ (3″ finished).

  4. Sew the units and pieces into 5 rows

    Lay out the units and pieces as in the picture and sew them into 5 rows. Press the seams in row 1 to the left, row 2 to the right, and so on, so they nest when the rows are joined.

  5. Join the rows

    Join the 5 rows, matching and nesting the seams where they meet. Press the long seams open or to one side. The block measures 12½″ (12″ finished).

Blocks like it

More like this: Star quilt blocks · Four-patch quilt blocks · all quilt blocks

Questions

Short answers.

Something else? A real person replies.

hello@quarterinch.app

Is Favorite Block the same block as Diamond Ring?

Usually, yes. Block names vary by region and by book, and the same block is often sold under several. Our library lists Diamond Ring as other name for this one, so a search for any of them finds it.

What size should I make it?

Its 8 × 8 grid lands on the ⅛″ marks at 6″, 9″ and 12″, so every piece measures with a ruler at all three. It also cuts cleanly at 4″, 7″, 8″, 10″, 14″, 15″, 16″ and 18″. In Quarter Inch you can make it any size, and it says when a cut falls between the lines.

Can I paper piece it?

Yes. It splits into 7 sections (A, B, C, D, E, F and G), each sewn on its own paper in order and then joined with straight seams. In Quarter Inch, the Foundations tab prints its papers at true size (with Quilter).

Is it a good block for a beginner?

It’s an intermediate block: 45 pieces in 6 different shapes and 12 points to match. Take it slowly and pin the points. We work the level out from the block’s own geometry, never by eye.

Design with Favorite Block, free

Open it in Quarter Inch at any size, in a layout of your own and in your own colors.

Start designing free