The Comet Quilt Block

The comet quilt block is a creative block that uses squares and half square triangles along with dark and light colors to create a shaded effect.

Be creative with your choice of colors and see what design you can come up with.

The comet quilt block is based on a five patch grid. That means there are five patches across and five patches down.

When sewing the rows, take special care to the proper placement of the triangle in the half square triangle units. Also, be sure to press the seam allowances. Plan ahead so that the rows alternate which direction the seams are pressed so they will lay flat and are easier to sew.

Add a few blocks together to see what excitng pattern that emerges.

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 4 patches 2½” square from the light purple fabric.
Cut 4 patches 3½” square from the light purple fabric.
Cut 8 patches 3½” square from the dark purple fabric.
Cut 1 patch 2½” square from the white fabric.
Cut 8 patches 3½” 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 2”. Be sure to use the 45 degree angle on your ruler.

Complete 4 light purple/white half square triangles.
Complete 12 dark purple/white half square triangles.
Complete 4 light purple/dark purple half square triangles.

Step 4 - Sew row two. Dark purple/white half square triangle (upper left), light purple/dark purple half square triangle (dark pointed to the lower right), light purple square, light purple/dark purple half square triangle (dark to the lower left), dark purple/white half square triangle (upper right).

Step 5 - Sew row three. Dark purple/white half square triangle (lower right), light purple square, white square, light purple square, dark purple/white half square triangle (upper left).

Step 6 - Sew row four. Dark purple/white half square triangle (lower left), light purple/dark purple half square triangle (dark to the upper right), light purple square, light purple/dark purple half square triangle (dark to the upper left), dark purple/white half square triangle (lower right).

Step 7 - Sew row five. Light purple/white half square triangle (upper right), dark purple/white half square triangle (lower left), dark purple/white half square triangle (upper right), dark purple/white half square triangle (lower right), light purple/white half square triangle (upper left).

Step 8 - Sew the rows together to complete the comet quilt block.

Go tp Free Quilt Block Patterns from the Comet Quilt Block