Quilt block units are the fundamentals from which countless combinations are made to create unique quilt patterns. Mastering those units makes a quilter more confident. No pattern will seem out of reach when you are sure of the basics. That’s why we’ve put together video tutorials for making some of the most common quilt block units.
Half Square Triangles
Learn to sew two Half Square Triangles at the same time.
Trimming a unit to size is one way to increase accuracy.
Quarter Square Triangles
Learn to make two Quarter Square Triangle units at the same time.
The trick to trimming a Quarter Square Triangle to size is measuring out from the center.
Corner Flips
Corner flip units can come in all shapes and sizes. This video covers the different units you can make by sewing squares to the corners of rectangles.
Square In A Square
Square In A Square units sewn using this method are a variation on the Corner Flip units.
No-Waste Flying Geese
One problem with Flying Geese made using the Corner Flip method is that it creates waste. This method for making Flying Geese wastes no fabric, and you end up with four Flying Geese units!
Trimming Flying Geese to size requires some asymmetrical thinking.
Big Units Bonus!
Some quilts, like the Quilt Along 2020 quilts, call for large-scale units that need trimmed to the right size. Learn how to trim large units with confidence.
To watch all of the uquilt with Emily videos, Click Here or check out the playlist below!
If you’d like to practice these units, check out How To Quilt. We’ve put together sewing patterns using all these units and more. It is perfect if you are new to quilting, or an experienced quilter looking for fun craft projects with a quilting twist.
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After you trim your flying geese units to make a star with them the points stick outward. Once the star ( the sawtooth star) how do you connect the blocks without cutting off the tips of the flying geese ?
I like to glue baste to help with perfect alignment on difficult-to-match points. Apply a dot of glue baste in the seam allowance at a point that must match, give it a moment to dry, and sew. https://shop.americanquilter.com/10390-roxanne-s-glue-baste-it.html
Some careful pressing in opposite directions can help nest the seams.
And finally, I’d recommend with experimenting with using a scant quarter inch in that joining seam. Some of the fabric will end up folded into the press, so a little breathing room gives some grace that our eyes compensate for easily.