SeeMyQuiltWeathervane quilt block
A center square with a house-shaped arm on each side, made of a rectangle and a flying-geese unit. Each corner has a square, two half-square triangles and a background square.
Cutting chart by block size
6" Weathervane (cut for one block)
| Fabric | Cut | Size | Then |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main | 1 square | 3 1/4" × 3 1/4" | 4 triangles (cut twice on the diagonal) |
| Main | 4 rectangles | 2 1/2" × 1 1/2" | – |
| Main | 4 squares | 1 7/8" × 1 7/8" | 8 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
| Background | 8 squares | 1 7/8" × 1 7/8" | 16 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
| Background | 4 squares | 1 1/2" × 1 1/2" | – |
| Accent | 1 square | 2 1/2" × 2 1/2" | – |
| Accent | 4 squares | 1 1/2" × 1 1/2" | – |
9" Weathervane (cut for one block)
| Fabric | Cut | Size | Then |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main | 1 square | 4 1/4" × 4 1/4" | 4 triangles (cut twice on the diagonal) |
| Main | 4 rectangles | 3 1/2" × 2" | – |
| Main | 4 squares | 2 3/8" × 2 3/8" | 8 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
| Background | 8 squares | 2 3/8" × 2 3/8" | 16 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
| Background | 4 squares | 2" × 2" | – |
| Accent | 1 square | 3 1/2" × 3 1/2" | – |
| Accent | 4 squares | 2" × 2" | – |
12" Weathervane (cut for one block)
| Fabric | Cut | Size | Then |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main | 1 square | 5 1/4" × 5 1/4" | 4 triangles (cut twice on the diagonal) |
| Main | 4 rectangles | 4 1/2" × 2 1/2" | – |
| Main | 4 squares | 2 7/8" × 2 7/8" | 8 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
| Background | 8 squares | 2 7/8" × 2 7/8" | 16 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
| Background | 4 squares | 2 1/2" × 2 1/2" | – |
| Accent | 1 square | 4 1/2" × 4 1/2" | – |
| Accent | 4 squares | 2 1/2" × 2 1/2" | – |
15" Weathervane (cut for one block)
| Fabric | Cut | Size | Then |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main | 1 square | 6 1/4" × 6 1/4" | 4 triangles (cut twice on the diagonal) |
| Main | 4 rectangles | 5 1/2" × 3" | – |
| Main | 4 squares | 3 3/8" × 3 3/8" | 8 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
| Background | 8 squares | 3 3/8" × 3 3/8" | 16 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
| Background | 4 squares | 3" × 3" | – |
| Accent | 1 square | 5 1/2" × 5 1/2" | – |
| Accent | 4 squares | 3" × 3" | – |
How to make a 15" Weathervane block
- Cut the pieces in the chart above. All measurements include a 1/4" seam allowance.
- Cut the squares marked "cut twice" on both diagonals. Each gives four triangles with the long edge on the straight grain: these are the large triangles in flying geese and hourglass units.
- 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 6 × 6 grid, and each cell finishes at 2 1/2". 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 15 1/2" now and 15" once it is sewn into the quilt.
Yardage for a Weathervane quilt (15" blocks)
| Quilt size | Blocks | Finished size | Main | Background | Accent | Border & binding | Backing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baby | 2 × 3 (6) | 36" × 51" | 7/8 yd | 5/8 yd | 3/8 yd | 1 yd | 3 1/2 yd |
| Lap | 3 × 4 (12) | 51" × 66" | 1 1/2 yd | 1 1/4 yd | 3/4 yd | 1 1/8 yd | 4 1/4 yd |
| Throw | 4 × 4 (16) | 66" × 66" | 2 1/8 yd | 1 5/8 yd | 1 yd | 1 3/8 yd | 4 1/4 yd |
| Twin | 4 × 6 (24) | 66" × 96" | 2 7/8 yd | 2 3/8 yd | 1 3/8 yd | 1 1/2 yd | 6 yd |
| Queen | 6 × 6 (36) | 96" × 96" | 4 3/8 yd | 3 1/2 yd | 2 1/8 yd | 1 7/8 yd | 8 3/4 yd |
| King | 7 × 7 (49) | 111" × 111" | 6 1/8 yd | 4 3/4 yd | 2 1/2 yd | 2 1/8 yd | 10 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" Weathervane blocks in each setting.
| Setting | Blocks | Finished size | Extra fabric |
|---|---|---|---|
| Side by side | 16 | 66" × 66" | – |
| With sashing | 12 | 55" × 72" | Sashing 3/4 yd, Cornerstones 1/8 yd |
| Alternating plain blocks | 8 pieced + 8 plain | 66" × 66" | Plain blocks 2 yd |
| On point | 13 | 69 3/4" × 69 3/4" | Setting triangles 1 3/4 yd |
See Weathervane in your own fabrics
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 Weathervane block need?
Three: main, background and accent. 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 Weathervane?
1 main square at 6 1/4" × 6 1/4"; 4 main rectangles at 5 1/2" × 3"; 4 main squares at 3 3/8" × 3 3/8"; 8 background squares at 3 3/8" × 3 3/8"; 4 background squares at 3" × 3"; 1 accent square at 5 1/2" × 5 1/2"; 4 accent squares at 3" × 3".
How many Weathervane 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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