Windblown Square - Quilt Block Tutorial

This block is called 'Windblown Square'. It's fairly easy, but has one new technique (sort of) for you.

Windblown Square

If you sewed the Tree Block you can sew the parallelogram unit! If you did any of the blocks with Flying Geese units in them, you can complete the Windblown Square. (Flying Geese Method 1, Flying Geese Method 2).

You can also make this block using only Half-square triangles! My niece, who was learning how to quilt, wanted to try something new so we chose to use Flying Geese units and parallelogram units.

I'll be using Flying Geese Method 2 to make my Flying Geese Units. If you choose another method, please be sure to adjust your fabric cutting!

Cut from background fabric
(A1) eight 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" squares
(A2) one 9" x 9" square

Cut from fabric 1 (green)
(B) one 7 1/2" square

Cut from fabric 2 (red)
(C) four 3 1/2" x 6 1/2" rectangles

From background fabric (A) cut eight 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" squares. From fabric 1 (B) cut one 7 1/2" squares. From fabric 2 (C) cut four 3 1/2" x 6 1/2" rectangles.

Draw a diagonal line on (A1) squares and (B) square.

Pin the (A1) squares to one end of the (C) rectangles with the diagonal line going from top left to bottom right. Pin in place.

Sew just to the right of the diagonal line.

Line any ruler that has a 1/4" seam marking with the 1/4" marking ON the diagonal line. In this photo the dotted line is the 1/4" seam line and it is on the diagonal line.

Trim the corner off and either throw it away or save it for a future project.

The top two units are pressed open towards the light fabric. The bottom two units have the next (A1) squares in place with the diagonal lines parallel to the first seam (the diagonal line is laid out from top left to bottom right).

Sew the second diagonal line the same way you sewed the first diagonal line.

Again, line up a ruler with the 1/4" seam line on the diagonal line......

and trim off the extra fabric triangle.

Press open. I pressed this seam towards the red fabric because later on it makes one seam less bulky.

One seam pressed towards light, one seam pressed towards dark. However, you can press them both towards the light or dark. This block will have a few bulky seams no matter how you press it. This unit should measure 6 1/2" x 3 1/2" unfinished.

Using (A2) and (B) fabrics make four Flying Geese units. I used Method 2, but you can use whatever method you are most comfortable with. Each Flying Geese unit should measure 6 1/2" x 3 1/2" unfinished.

Sew one Flying Geese unit to one parallelogram unit as shown. The seams on the Flying Geese units are pressed towards the light. Match the seam on the parallelogram unit that is pressed towards the red with the point on the Flying Geese unit.

Press towards the Flying Geese unit (or which ever way gives you the least bulk and the nicer point).

Sew all four units and lay them out as shown.

Sew into rows.....

Then sew the two rows together to form your block.

One the back you will probably be able to open the seams in the center of the square. This reduces bulk in the seam. It isn't a 'must do', it just makes the block lay flatter when you are trimming it and later putting it into a quilt.

The finished block!

And here is my niece! She helped me sew this block (and pick the colors!) While she was visiting she made quite a few beautiful blocks. This is her first experience with quilting and I think she really enjoyed it!