SeeMyQuiltBirds in the Air quilt block
Four units, each a large triangle with a small half-square triangle and two small triangles filling the other half. The large triangles meet in the center, two dark and two light.
Cutting chart by block size
6" Birds in the Air (cut for one block)
| Fabric | Cut | Size | Then |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main | 1 square | 3 7/8" × 3 7/8" | 2 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
| Main | 4 squares | 2 3/8" × 2 3/8" | 8 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
| Background | 1 square | 3 7/8" × 3 7/8" | 2 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
| Background | 4 squares | 2 3/8" × 2 3/8" | 8 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
8" Birds in the Air (cut for one block)
| Fabric | Cut | Size | Then |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main | 1 square | 4 7/8" × 4 7/8" | 2 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
| Main | 4 squares | 2 7/8" × 2 7/8" | 8 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
| Background | 1 square | 4 7/8" × 4 7/8" | 2 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
| Background | 4 squares | 2 7/8" × 2 7/8" | 8 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
10" Birds in the Air (cut for one block)
| Fabric | Cut | Size | Then |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main | 1 square | 5 7/8" × 5 7/8" | 2 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
| Main | 4 squares | 3 3/8" × 3 3/8" | 8 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
| Background | 1 square | 5 7/8" × 5 7/8" | 2 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
| Background | 4 squares | 3 3/8" × 3 3/8" | 8 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
12" Birds in the Air (cut for one block)
| Fabric | Cut | Size | Then |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main | 1 square | 6 7/8" × 6 7/8" | 2 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
| Main | 4 squares | 3 7/8" × 3 7/8" | 8 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
| Background | 1 square | 6 7/8" × 6 7/8" | 2 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
| Background | 4 squares | 3 7/8" × 3 7/8" | 8 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
How to make a 12" Birds in the Air block
- Cut the pieces in the chart above. All measurements include a 1/4" seam allowance.
- Cut the squares marked "cut once" in half on the diagonal. Each gives two triangles. Sew them to their neighbours along the long edge first and press toward the darker fabric.
- Lay all the pieces out as in the diagram. The block is a 4 × 4 grid, and each cell finishes at 3". Sew neighbouring pieces into sections, then the sections into rows, pressing seams in opposite directions from row to row.
- Join the rows. The block should measure 12 1/2" now and 12" once it is sewn into the quilt.
Yardage for a Birds in the Air quilt (12" blocks)
| Quilt size | Blocks | Finished size | Main | Background | Border & binding | Backing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baby | 3 × 4 (12) | 42" × 54" | 1 1/8 yd | 1 1/8 yd | 1 yd | 3 1/2 yd |
| Lap | 4 × 5 (20) | 54" × 66" | 1 7/8 yd | 1 7/8 yd | 1 1/8 yd | 4 1/4 yd |
| Throw | 5 × 6 (30) | 66" × 78" | 2 1/2 yd | 2 1/2 yd | 1 3/8 yd | 5 yd |
| Twin | 6 × 8 (48) | 78" × 102" | 4 1/8 yd | 4 1/8 yd | 1 3/4 yd | 9 1/4 yd |
| Queen | 8 × 8 (64) | 102" × 102" | 5 1/2 yd | 5 1/2 yd | 1 7/8 yd | 9 1/4 yd |
| King | 9 × 9 (81) | 114" × 114" | 6 7/8 yd | 6 7/8 yd | 2 1/8 yd | 10 1/4 yd |
Blocks side by side with a 3" border, 2 1/2" binding, 42" usable width and 10% extra.
Four ways to set it
A throw quilt of 12" Birds in the Air blocks in each setting.
| Setting | Blocks | Finished size | Extra fabric |
|---|---|---|---|
| Side by side | 30 | 66" × 78" | – |
| With sashing | 20 | 60" × 74" | Sashing 7/8 yd, Cornerstones 1/8 yd |
| Alternating plain blocks | 15 pieced + 15 plain | 66" × 78" | Plain blocks 2 yd |
| On point | 18 | 57" × 74" | Setting triangles 1 1/2 yd |
See Birds in the Air in your own fabrics
1. Your fabrics (tap a fabric, then choose a sample or your own photo)
2. Block
3. Quilt size
4. Block size
5. Setting
What to buy
| Fabric | Yardage | Cut |
|---|
Based on 42" usable fabric width, 1/4" seams and 10% extra. Your photos stay on your device.
Questions
How many fabrics does a Birds in the Air block need?
Two: main and background. Choose a main fabric that contrasts clearly with the background so the design reads from a distance.
What size pieces do I cut for a 12 inch Birds in the Air?
1 main square at 6 7/8" × 6 7/8"; 4 main squares at 3 7/8" × 3 7/8"; 1 background square at 6 7/8" × 6 7/8"; 4 background squares at 3 7/8" × 3 7/8".
How many Birds in the Air blocks for a lap quilt?
20 blocks at 12", set 4 by 5 with a 3" border, make a 54" × 66" quilt.
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