5" quilt blocks
 

I am excited to be a part of this site. I'm looking for 5" quilt block patterns. I'd like something simple, using only 2 fabrics. A friend gave me some appliqued 5" blocks & I'm wanting to use them alternately with a pieced block in a quilt. Because it is such a small block I'm thinking it will be a baby quilt. The appliques are hearts & I'd love to find a 5" simple heart block. I'm fairly new to quilting & so far have found most of my patterns on the internet. I would appreciate any suggestions.

You could do a 4 patch or pinwheel for something simple.

Here are some quick ideas for 5" blocks. Any design that is 2 or 4 sections can be done as a 5" block.
A 2 section block will be 2.5" each section; a 4 section block will be 1.25" each section.

Jan in VA

The instructions below should read "each LITTLE square = "

Leave it to Jan to come up with yet more amazing solutions!

Jan, you rock! Good luck, kia!!

5" blocks are also called charms or charm squares. If you google patterns for charm square quilts there are lots out there.

I subscribe on-line to "Block of the Day" & get a daily block pattern FREE. Many of them are 5 inch blocks.

How about an applique? Just draw your own heart on a 5x5" piece of paper, then use that as a template. Easiest for a first try would probably be a raw edge applique with a light fusible underneath. Fuse it to the fabric first, then cut out with your template. Iron on the square, and use some decorative stitching on the edge. I usually use a very close zig zag. Others use a blanket stitch. Try a couple ways and use what you like best.

What she said !!! Jan your AWESOME !!!

Jan is right. Almost any simple pattern can be done in a 5" format.

Puss in the Corner makes a nice block if you're trying to show off some embroidery. It's pretty easy to do. Just sew a 4 patch with 5" squares, I would put the embroidered square or whatever I was interested in keeping whole in the lower left, the square above and the one to the right should be the same fabric (something that will make a nice frame for the embroidered block), the one on the top right will be the corners. Make a cut 2 1/2" in from the right side of the 4-patch, sew the cut-off piece onto the left side. Then make a 2 1/2" cut down from the top and sew it on to the bottom. That's it. It could be done with almost any size squares, just make your cuts half the size of the original squares of fabric.

IMHO Keep it simple! Choose alternating blocks that are not very complicated so they will showcase the applique blocks. Choose coordinating fabrics for the applique blocks and maybe make 4 or 9 patch to showcase the other blocks. Also 5" blocks can be used in any size quilt besides baby. Depends on how many you have. To make quilt bigger add borders!!!!!!!!!!

Try the book "Nickel Quilts" and its later companion. Lots of good designs there.

I wish I lived closer to you!!!

If you want a scrappy heart block, go to about.com and search scrappy heart block. They have a simple one that can be made as a 5" block using 2.5" strips. I made a baby quilt using that block and it was fabulous. I would post a pic if I could.

Welcome to our quilting board world, I'm not sure I can help, would like to see a picture of the appliqued blocks you have. Good luck

Missouri Star Quilt Company (MOSQC) has an on-line daily deal. At times you can get a great buy on charm packs. Jenny also has videos on quilts made with charm packs....Love that site and buy from them all the time:):)

I always enjoy your comments Jan. I live in Southwest Va. and would be interested in knowing if you have any classes you teach coming up?

Jan you are awesome

Jan We learn so much from you. Thanks so much.Blessings,Georgia

If it were me, I'd put borders on the embroidery blocks to increase them to 8" when finished, then alternate with 8" pieced blocks.

You may be able to make a 5" pieced block, but this ole gal would never even try.

I understood the poster to want to MAKE a 5" pieced block.

You could do crazy patch blocks for the alternate blocks.

If you're especially interested in hearts, here is a group of foundation paper pieced patterns for hearts:
http://sewhooked.com/2012/02/03/i-heart-that/

Several of them just happen to be 5".
Welcome to QB, and good luck with your project!

nice ideas

Oh Jan this is awesome. Just what I have been looking for to finish the Rooster wall hanging for my son and DIL just in time for Memorial Day. Thanks for sharing.

Agree! I have both books, and they're great!

Thanks for this site. It is wonderful.

I love your blocks and the fact that you gave the measurements.

I don't do "little". What I'd do is frame out the blocks you have to maybe 8" finished and use a bigger pieced block to finish out the quilt.

Duh to me. I thought charm squares were 5" unfinished
.

Even if a 5" block were used, it wouldn't give you a 5" finished block without a lot of waste.