The Boys Nonsense Quilt Block

The boys nonsense quilt block was published in the first catalog devoted to quilt patterns, the Ladies Art Company. It was also known as Nonsense in the Ladies Art Company catalog.

The boys nonsense quilt block uses the basic square and half square triangle. This makes it a simple quilt block for the beginner to use the rotary cutter.

To complete one block for a sampler quilt:

Materials:
Fat quarter fabric in three colors
(light purple, dark purple and white)
Batting
Backing

Step 1 - Use the rotary cutting techniques.

Cut 2 patches 3½” square from the light purple fabric.
Cut 1 patch 4” square from the light purple fabric.
Cut 1 patch 4” square from the dark purple fabric.
Cut 1 patch 2½” square from the white fabric.
Cut 2 patches 3½” square from the white fabric.
Cut 2 patches 4” square from the white fabric.

Step 2 - Use the half square triangle method.

Place one 3½” square of light purple fabric and one 3½” square of white fabric, right sides together. Draw a line on the diagonal on the lighter fabric from one corner to the opposite corner. Stitch ¼” on each side of the marked line.

Cut on the drawn line with your rotary cutter or scissors to separate the square into triangles.

Fold open the square and press the seam allowances toward the darker fabric. Using your plastic ruler, trim the square to be 2½”. Be sure to use the 45 degree angle on your ruler.

Complete 4 light purple/white half square triangles.

Step 3 - Use the quarter square triangle method.

A quarter square triangle is ¼ of a square. Follow the directions as you would for a half square triangle.

Place one 4” square of light purple fabric and one 4” square of white fabric, right sides together. Draw a line on the diagonal on the lighter fabric from one corner to the opposite corner. Draw another line in the opposite direction, forming an X. Stitch ¼” on each side of only one of the marked lines.

Cut along both of the drawn lines. Press the seam allowance toward the darker fabric. This yields 4 quarter squares or 4 small triangles.

Repeat the process using one 4” square of light purple fabric and one 4” square of dark purple fabric.

Stitch one light purple/white quarter square triangle to one light purple/dark purple quarter square triangle unit right sides together with the dark fabric opposite the light fabric. Match the seam in the center. This creates an X or a complete quarter square triangle unit.

Step 4 - Sew row one. Light purple/white half square triangle, quarter square triangle unit, light purple/white half square triangle.

Step 5 - Sew row two. Quarter square triangle unit, white square, quarter square triangle unit.

Step 6 - Sew row three. Light purple/white half square triangle, quarter square triangle unit, light purple/white half square triangle unit.

Step 7 - Sew the rows together to complete the boys nonsense quilt block.

Go to Free Quilt Block Patterns from the Boys Nonsense Quilt Block