4 Patch - This
block is divided down the center both vertically and horizontally. Each of the four
quadrants are mirror images of each other. An example of this type of block is
Job's Troubles
9 Patch - In this block, the pattern is divide into a 3 x 3 grid.
Each corner section is identical as are the four center blocks of each of the outer
rows of the grid. This type of block is a mirror image around the horizontal, vertical,
and diagonal axis. This is probably the most popular basis for traditional quilt blocks.
An example of this type of block is Churn Dash
5 Patch - This block consists of a 5 x 5 grid. As with the 9 patch
block, this block mirrors around the horizontal, vertical, and diagonal axis. An
example of a 5 patch block is Monkey Wrench
7 Patch - Similar to the 5 Patch, this block is based on a 7 x 7 grid.
As with the all of the above blocks, this block mirrors around the horizontal, vertical,
and diagonal axis. An example of this block is Bear Paw
8 Point Star - Unlike the blocks above, this block is not based on a
grid of blocks. This blocks is based on a square divided on the horizontal, vertical,
and diagonal axis. An example of this type of block is the LeMoyne Star
Circle - This block is based upon a circle placed in the center of the
block. An example of this type of block is the Mariner's Compass
Grid: 4 Patch
Component Size Finished Block ============== ============== 1" 2" 1 1/2" 3" 2" 4" 2 1/2" 5" 3" 6" 3 1/2" 7" 4" 8" 4 1/2" 9" 5" 10" 6" 12" 7" 14" 7 1/2" 15" 8" 16" 9" 18" 10" 20" 11" 22" 12" 24"
Grid: 9 Patch
Component Size Finished Block ============== ============== 1" 3" 1 1/2" 4 1/2" 2" 6" 2 1/2" 7 1/2" 3" 9" 3 1/2" 10 1/2" 4" 12" 5" 15" 6" 18" 7" 21" 8" 24"
Grid: 5 Patch
Component Size Finished Block ============== ============== 1" 5" 1 1/2" 7 1/2" 2" 10" 2 1/2" 12 1/2" 3" 15" 4" 20" 5" 25"
Grid: 7 Patch
Component Size Finished Block ============== ============== 1" 7" 1 1/2" 10 1/2" 2" 14" 2 1/2" 17 1/2" 3" 21" 4" 28"
The components of the quilt blocks may be even further divided. For example, if each unit of a 4 patch block is divided into a 4 patch this will result in a 16 patch block. In turn, if each unit of the 16 patch block is divided again into a 4 patch the resulting block will be a 64 patch block.
Drafting Books
Start by taking one of the basic grids described above. Then fill in the grids using the any of the following individual units. Of course, these units are only a small sample of the many different units that could be used.
In the following examples, a square was drawn in the center of the quilt block. Each corner of the center square is then connected to one of the block corner's thus forming a star type of pattern. These examples shows how the quilt pattern can be changed by making the center square larger or smaller.