I am pretty new to quilting, so please forgive my ignorance. I saw the post from the lady who needs blocks for quilts for soldiers. I want to help, but I simply do not know how to make blocks to a specific size. I want to help too.

Does anyone have a really simple pattern I could use to make these blocks? All I know how to do right now is cut out squares, rectangles, and triangles. I do not know how to paper piece or applique. I am only on my second quilt. Is there a pattern that I can simply follow?

look at

http://www.quilterscache.com/

It's a great website broken down by size and then by difficulty. I'm sure you could find a block you feel comfortable with.

Just make sure you have a quarter inch seam allowance. You can do a simple 9 patch by making all your pieces 4 1/2" squares then sewing with a quarter inch seam. If you're doing half square triangles, start larger. You can start with a 5 1/2" square, make a line from one corner to the opposite corner / then sew 1/4" from the line on BOTH sides. Cut between the sewing lines, press open then trim down to 4 1/4" squares. Most patterns online or in books that say 12" finished block are actually 12 1/2" until sewn into a quilt. Just keep practicing, remember that it's not rocket science or brain surgery, you can do it. Oh, and always relax and enjoy your new art. There are LOTS of sites with free quilt blocks and patterns--Quilter's Cache is a good one, luv2stitchpatterns.com, blockcentral.com, With Heart and Hands, etc. Just google "free quilt patterns" and see how many come up. There's thousands.

How about a no stress, bordered 4 patch block? These square up easily without losing any points or distorting the block :wink: You can make the 4 patches red and white and border in blue, or vice versa :D:D:D

Cut your Four, 4 patch squares 4 1/2" and sew them together using a scant 1/4" seam. This block should measure 8 1/2", square up if it is a tad big.

Now we need 2 1/2" strips to go on the sides.
Cut 2, 2 1/2" X 8 1/2", sew these on first using a scant 1/4" seam
Cut 2, 2 1/2" X 13", sew these on last, using a scant 1/4" seam.
This block will be 13" and you square it up to 12 1/2"

This is a great site! Thank you for posting it. I'm a beginner too and I found one called Roman Square I think I might not be scared to try :)

this one:
http://www.quilterscache.com/R/RomanSquareBlock.html

Just like Raptureready said:
12 1/2 inch is the unfinished size(includes seam allowance) so the pattern will say it is a 12 inch block.

Quilterscacache has a great selection of easy blocks. Sometimes the simpler blocks are the most striking and fun to make.

Accurate 1/4" seams are important! Lots of help here on the board to figure out if your machine is marked correctly and how to make sure you have accurate seams. Being off "just a smidge" will make your blocks come out uneven or the wrong size.

Practice, Practice! Have fun!

OOOOPPPSSS that should have said to trim down to 4 1/2". Finger slippage I guess, surely I didn't make a mistake. :lol:

Oh my I can already feel the stress!!! No worries all blocks come with the size of it unfinished say 12.5 and the finished size is 12". One really easy block is the friendship star (really easy), rail fence, etc. are all nice in red, white and blue.

Here's a site for HST's that I found a while back. There are many many blocks that you can do with these.

http://www.blockcentral.com/a-halfsq...glepaper.shtml

Good Luck!!