How to Create Attic Window Blocks in Quilting

Attic window blocks create an eyecatching 3D effect in a quilt. It is a great way to show off fabrics and is an easy effect to achieve. All you need is a basic knowledge of quilting to create these quilt blocks.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Choose three different fabrics in complementary colors. You need one fabric for the window portion of the quilt block, one for the side edging and a third for the bottom edging. These fabrics will be referred to as fabrics A, B and C respectively.

2. Cut fabric A, the window section fabric, into 4 1/2 by 4 1/2-inch squares. Cut fabrics B and C, both the side and bottom sections, into 4 1/2 by 2 1/2-inch rectangles and into 2 7/8-inch squares.

3. Take one square of fabric A, and one rectangle and one square each for both fabric B and C for each block that you plan to make. Pin the small squares of fabric B and C so they face each other. Stitch the two squares together diagonally.

4. Iron the pieces flat and make a square from two halves of both the fabrics. Pin the square you just made to a rectangle of fabric C and stitch together with a 1/4 inch seam allowance. Make sure that the fabrics you stitch together are the same so that fabric C on both parts are stitched together.

5. Pin the rectangle of fabric B to an edge of the square of fabric A. Pin them so the right sides face each other. Sew together and iron the seam flat.

6. Pin together the two pieces you have made. The fabric B rectangle you just attached should go on the left-hand side of the square and the rectangle of fabric B should be pinned along the bottom section. Ensure that the two pieces of fabric B will be stitched together.

7. Stitch the two pieces together and iron the seams flat. This finishes the first block. Repeat Steps 1 through 7 to create as many blocks as you need.

Tips & Warnings

• These instructions create a 6-inch block. If you need a larger block, you can increase the block by 3 inches by adding 1 inch to the small squares, 2 inches to the big square, 2 inches to the longer side and 1 inch to the shorter side of the rectangles.