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.
What to cut for one block
A 6″ finished block measures 6½″ 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 2″
- A4 squares 1⅝″cut once on the diagonal
- F4 squares 1⅝″cut once on the diagonal
- C8 rectangles 2″ × 1¼″
Dark · Navy in the picture
9 squares, 4 geese and 4 triangles
- A1 square 2¾″cut twice on the diagonals
- E2 squares 2⅜″cut once on the diagonal
- D1 square 2″
- B8 squares 1¼″
Worked out by @quarterinch/cutting · ¼″ seams included · strips cut across 42″ of usable width · the letters are the pieces the sewing steps name
A 9″ finished block measures 9½″ 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 2¾″
- A4 squares 2″cut once on the diagonal
- F4 squares 2″cut once on the diagonal
- C8 rectangles 2¾″ × 1⅝″
Dark · Navy in the picture
9 squares, 4 geese and 4 triangles
- A1 square 3½″cut twice on the diagonals
- E2 squares 3⅛″cut once on the diagonal
- D1 square 2¾″
- B8 squares 1⅝″
Worked out by @quarterinch/cutting · ¼″ seams included · strips cut across 42″ of usable width · the letters are the pieces the sewing steps name
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″
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″
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 6″ block. Choose another size above and these steps follow it.
- 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 2″ × 1¼″ (1½″ × ¾″ finished).
- Add 8 corner triangles
Sew the Background F triangle across each corner in turn, along its long edge, and press toward the triangle.
- Add 4 corner triangles
Sew the Dark E triangle across the corner, along its long edge, and press toward the triangle. Each measures 2″ (1½″ finished).
- 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.
- 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 6½″ (6″ finished).
For the 9″ block. Choose another size above and these steps follow it.
- 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 2¾″ × 1⅝″ (2¼″ × 1⅛″ finished).
- Add 8 corner triangles
Sew the Background F triangle across each corner in turn, along its long edge, and press toward the triangle.
- Add 4 corner triangles
Sew the Dark E triangle across the corner, along its long edge, and press toward the triangle. Each measures 2¾″ (2¼″ finished).
- 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.
- 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 9½″ (9″ finished).
For the 12″ block. Choose another size above and these steps follow it.
- 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).
- Add 8 corner triangles
Sew the Background F triangle across each corner in turn, along its long edge, and press toward the triangle.
- 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).
- 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.
- 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
SolitaireFour-patch · Stars
Heavenly StarsFour-patch · Stars
Missouri StarFour-patch · Stars
Cross and SquareFour-patch · Stars
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.