If you’re looking to make a beautiful and personalized quilt, you can never go wrong with 12-inch block patterns. There are so many different options available that the possibilities are nearly endless. Repeat one block over and over, or use a variety to create a one-of-a-kind sampler quilt.
12-inch quilt blocks are a common size and are great for beginners. You can often make them without using any tiny pieces but still have a beautiful and unique quilt.
Start with something simple like a Rail Fence Block and work up to something a bit more complicated like a traditional Card Trick Block.
Build your skills with these blocks and create sampler quilts, Christmas quilts, or patchwork quilts.
How Many 12-inch Blocks Do I Need to Make a Quilt?
A 12-inch block is a great foundation block to begin with for several different quilt projects. Adding some sashing strips between blocks and a border around the outside edge will allow you to create a nice-sized quilt with just a few blocks.
Generally, your blocks will have a 1/2-inch seam allowance, so the finished block will measure twelve inches. Use three or four 12-inch quilt blocks to make table runners. With sashing and borders, this is a great size to lay on a rectangular table.
Four different quilt blocks combined into a square is the perfect square table topper. Nine 12-inch blocks make a perfect baby quilt or increase it to twelve for a larger quilt. You can also make wall hangings using as few as one block!
If you make all the blocks listed in this post with 2″ sashing and a 4″ border, you will have a quilt that measures 60″ x 60″ which is a great size for a throw quilt.
What You Need to Make These 12-inch Quilt Blocks
Each block has different fabric requirements, but here are a few basic sewing supplies you should have on hand for making quilts.
- Rotary cutter or a new sharp blade
- Cutting Mat
- Quilt Ruler
- Sewing Machine this brother is my favorite!
- Iron here or here
- Thread
- Bobbins
- Scissors
- Seam Ripper not my favorite thing to do!
You’ll also need background fabric, and your favorite fabrics to make your quilt.
16 Classic 12-Inch Free Quilt Block Patterns + Tutorials
A 12-inch quilt block is the perfect foundation for a gorgeous quilt. Here are 16 free quilt block patterns you can use to make your own blocks. Then, combine them into a custom quilt top that shows off your personality.
Nine Patch Star (Friendship Star)
This is a fun twist on a simple nine-patch quilt block Just replace four of the squares with half-square triangles for a completely different look.
See the Nine-Patch tutorial here.
Bow Tie Quilt Block
What could be cuter than a little bow tie? This quilt block makes a super cute baby quilt for a little boy. This block looks great in two colors, or use multiple colors for a totally different look.
Get the Bow Tie quilt block tutorial here.
Maple Star Quilt Block
The Maple Start block looks complicated, but it’s actually really simple to make! You only need four flying geese units, with some squares and rectangles for this gorgeous quilt block.
See the Maple Star tutorial here.
Log Cabin Quilt Blocks
The log cabin quilt block is one every quilter should have in their arsenal! It’s so easy to make since it only requires strips of fabric arranged around a central square. Even though the pattern is simple, you can switch the layout to create a unique design. Log cabin blocks are a great way to use your favorite jelly rolls.
See the Log Cabin tutorial here.
Courthouse Steps Quilt Block
Courthouse Steps is another traditional block. It’s a variation of the Log Cabin block and comes together pretty quickly. Start with a square block in the center, and keep building until you’ve reached your desired size.
Get the Courthouse Steps tutorial here.
Churn Dash Quilt Block
Churn dash blocks are classic, and look beautiful in a sampler quilt. They are also beginner-friendly since they require only half-square triangles, rectangles, and a square in the center. Switch up the background fabrics for a totally different look.
Get a free block tutorial here.
Rail Fence Quilt Block
If you’re a complete quilting beginner, the rail fence block is for you! It’s a classic quilt block that uses only strips. You can whip up one of these easy quilt blocks in about 15 minutes.
Read the rail fence tutorial here.
Simple Hearts Block
A heart is such a sweet and simple expression of love, and it looks so pretty in a quilt. Or, make one 12-inch heart block, add a border, and turn it into a fabulous mini-quilt or wall hanging.
See the heart block tutorial here.
Sawtooth Star Block
Stars are classic blocks and look amazing in just about any quilt. The Sawtooth Star block is traditional, and only needs a few squares and four flying geese units. It’s a favorite of quilters for its simplicity. Mix and match colors for a modern look, or stick to a simple color palette for a more classic quilt.
Get the Sawtooth Star quilt block tutorial here.
Card Trick Quilt Block
Card Trick is an old-fashioned block that plays tricks on your eyes! Which card is on top? You may never know, but you can easily make the block with this easy and free tutorial.
See the Card Trick quilt tutorial here.
Flying Geese Quilt Block
A flying geese unit looks impressive, but you’ll be surprised just how simple they are to make! Once you get the hang of it, you’ll be whipping these up and adding them to all of your sewing projects.
Check out my favorite method for making flying geese blocks here.
Economy Quilt Blocks
The economy quilt block is also called a square-in-a-square. This block works great with your favorite layer cake fabrics, and it’s the perfect choice to show off pretty prints.
See the Economy Block quilt tutorial here.
Shoo Fly Block
If you want a block that makes the most of a half-square triangle, the shoo fly block is for you! It looks fancy, but it’s actually really easy, and makes the most of negative space for a dramatic effect.
Check out this great tutorial for making a classic shoo fly quilt block.
Ohio Star Block Pattern
The Ohio Star is a pretty block that looks complicated. But when you’ve mastered the half-square triangle, this block is a cinch! A full quilt made from this one block is truly stunning!
Bachelor’s Puzzle Quilt Block Pattern
Bachelor’s Puzzle is a simple block, but it looks dramatic when you use it to make a full quilt. It’s another classic block to add to your collection of free quilt patterns.
See the Bachelor’s Puzzle block tutorial here.
Classic Pinwheel Block
When you’re first dipping your toes into the world of sewing triangles, the Pinwheel Quilt Block is a great place to start! It looks pretty in just about any setting, and the color options are endless.
Watch the Pinwheel Block tutorial here.
Make a 12-inch Quilt Block Sampler
Ready to make your own quilt? Choose your favorite quilt block patterns from this list, or use them all to make a one-of-a-kind sampler quilt. These simple block tutorials will give you full instructions to make each of the blocks in a 12-inch size. Add some sashing and narrow borders to finish it up, then quilt as desired.
Becky Jorgensen is the creative quilter behind Patchwork Posse, the Patchwork Planner and her online quilt group Patchworkers Plus. You can find her patterns in books, magazines, and her quilt membership. Gather your quilting supplies, organize your sewing space, explore the process of disappearing quilt blocks, or finish a free quilt pattern. I'll help you use what you have, finish what you start and make your quilting journey fun!
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