Algonquin Charm quilt block

The Algonquin Charm quilt block looks complicated, but if you break it down, it is not difficult to make. It is made with simple shapes and easy piecing.

This block can be used on its own for a beautiful quilt, or try it as part of the Twinkle Sampler Quilt. It has nine different star blocks, so you will be an expert piecer by the time you are done.

Fabric requirements

• four 3″ squares background fabric
• four 3″ squares feature fabric
• four 3″ half-square triangle units background and feature fabric *
• one 2-1/2″ square feature fabric
• four 2-1/2″ x 5-1/2″ rectangle background fabric

* Feel free to use your favourite method for half-square triangle units. For this block, I recommend paper piecing if you have papers that will make this size. But any method will be fine.

Block assembly

Begin by laying out all the fabric pieces. It is very easy to get the half-square triangles turned around, so be sure to refer back to the layout throughout the block assembly.

The first step is to assemble the corner pieces. These are made from two plain squares and two half-square triangle units.

All four corners are identical, but they are in different orientations in the finished block.

Join each plain square to a half-square triangle unit. Press the seams towards the plain squares.

Next, join the pieces together. Since the seams were pressed toward the plain squares, the pieces should naturally nest together when you join them.

Once the corners have been assembled, it becomes like a nine-patch block. There are three pieces across and three down.

Join the pieces into three rows. Press the seams toward the background rectangles. This will help the seams nest nicely when you join the rows since they are pressed in alternating directions.

Join the rows together. Press the seams toward the inner row.

Add the final row and press.

You’re done!

Video tutorial

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