SeeMyQuilt
Pinwheels & triangles · Confident beginner

North Wind quilt block

A large dark triangle in one corner and a large light one in the opposite corner, with a band of half-square triangles between them, all turned the same way.

North Wind: main and background. A 3 × 3 grid.

Cutting chart by block size

6" North Wind (cut for one block)

FabricCutSizeThen
Main1 square4 7/8" × 4 7/8"1 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Main3 squares2 7/8" × 2 7/8"5 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Background1 square4 7/8" × 4 7/8"1 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Background3 squares2 7/8" × 2 7/8"5 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)

9" North Wind (cut for one block)

FabricCutSizeThen
Main1 square6 7/8" × 6 7/8"1 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Main3 squares3 7/8" × 3 7/8"5 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Background1 square6 7/8" × 6 7/8"1 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Background3 squares3 7/8" × 3 7/8"5 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)

12" North Wind (cut for one block)

FabricCutSizeThen
Main1 square8 7/8" × 8 7/8"1 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Main3 squares4 7/8" × 4 7/8"5 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Background1 square8 7/8" × 8 7/8"1 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Background3 squares4 7/8" × 4 7/8"5 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)

15" North Wind (cut for one block)

FabricCutSizeThen
Main1 square10 7/8" × 10 7/8"1 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Main3 squares5 7/8" × 5 7/8"5 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Background1 square10 7/8" × 10 7/8"1 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Background3 squares5 7/8" × 5 7/8"5 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)

How to make a 15" North Wind block

  1. Cut the pieces in the chart above. All measurements include a 1/4" seam allowance.
  2. 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.
  3. Lay all the pieces out as in the diagram. The block is a 3 × 3 grid, and each cell finishes at 5". Sew neighbouring pieces into sections, then the sections into rows, pressing seams in opposite directions from row to row.
  4. Join the rows. The block should measure 15 1/2" now and 15" once it is sewn into the quilt.

Yardage for a North Wind quilt (15" blocks)

Quilt sizeBlocksFinished sizeMainBackgroundBorder & bindingBacking
Baby2 × 3 (6)36" × 51"7/8 yd7/8 yd1 yd3 1/2 yd
Lap3 × 4 (12)51" × 66"1 5/8 yd1 5/8 yd1 1/8 yd4 1/4 yd
Throw4 × 4 (16)66" × 66"2 1/8 yd2 1/8 yd1 3/8 yd4 1/4 yd
Twin4 × 6 (24)66" × 96"3 yd3 yd1 1/2 yd6 yd
Queen6 × 6 (36)96" × 96"4 3/8 yd4 3/8 yd1 7/8 yd8 3/4 yd
King7 × 7 (49)111" × 111"6 1/4 yd6 1/4 yd2 1/8 yd10 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 15" North Wind blocks in each setting.

SettingBlocksFinished sizeExtra fabric
Side by side1666" × 66"–
With sashing1255" × 72"Sashing 3/4 yd, Cornerstones 1/8 yd
Alternating plain blocks8 pieced + 8 plain66" × 66"Plain blocks 2 yd
On point1369 3/4" × 69 3/4"Setting triangles 1 3/4 yd

See North Wind 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

FabricYardageCut

Based on 42" usable fabric width, 1/4" seams and 10% extra. Your photos stay on your device.

Questions

How many fabrics does a North Wind 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 15 inch North Wind?

1 main square at 10 7/8" × 10 7/8"; 3 main squares at 5 7/8" × 5 7/8"; 1 background square at 10 7/8" × 10 7/8"; 3 background squares at 5 7/8" × 5 7/8".

How many North Wind blocks for a lap quilt?

12 blocks at 15", set 3 by 4 with a 3" border, make a 51" × 66" quilt.

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