If you have hung around my blog for any length of time, you know that the Quilts of Valor Foundation is an organization I feel strongly about. So after finishing this top in just a few days, I thought I would share this as a pattern of sorts. It hardly needs a pattern since it is so easy and the pieces are large. But I thought if I did the math and you all saw how quick and easy it is, perhaps you might make one too. Here is my completed top.
The quilt top finishes at 60″ x 82″ . You will need approximately 1 yard of red, 1 yard of blue, and two yards of white. You will also need 2 1/8 yards of border fabric. You will have enough border fabric leftover to use for your binding if you like. Otherwise you will also need 2/3 yard of binding fabric.
There are many ways of making half square triangle blocks. I used my studio cutter (die number 50033) and cut 24 red, 24 blue, and 48 white triangles. You will need to make 24 red/white HST blocks measuring 6 1/2″ and 24 blue/ white HST blocks measuring 6 1/2″ (6 ” finished). Feel free to make yours using any method that works for you. As long as they finish at the right size, you’re good!
Cut 48 3 1/2″ blue squares, 48 3 1/2″ red squares, and 96 3 1/2″ white squares (I used die number 50206). Use these to make 24 red/white 4-patch blocks and 24 blue/white 4-patches. These will measure 6 1/2″ and finish at 6″. You may choose to strip piece these but with my cutter, I find it is just as fast to piece them traditionally.
You will make 12 blocks like this:
And 12 blocks like this:
I chose to take two of each type of block and sew them into giant blocks like this:
If you do this, you will end up with 6 identical blocks to sew into three rows of two blocks each.
I cut my borders 6 1/2″ wide on the lengthwise grain.
While these blocks are large, they don’t look clunky. I love the high contrast and the chains of squares running diagonally across the top. I started cutting pieces for this Friday evening and had the top completed Sunday morning. During that time, I did sleep! I also worked and spent time with family. This could easily be completed in one full day.
I understand that I am no expert at writing patterns. Because I don’t use them myself, I have probably left out some important stuff! If you have any questions, feel free to ask. I suppose I should add some sort of disclaimer here stating I am not responsible for any loss or damage caused by following my instructions!
It says in Romans 13:7 to give honor to whom honor is due. Making quilts for the members of our military that have pledged to give all is one way I can live this out.
Here is another motivating factor. I am a proud Blue Star Mom of this amazing Airman, shown here receiving Airman of the Year Award for the 56th Security Forces Squadron:
Isn’t she beautiful?
If you happen to make a quilt from these instructions, I would love it if you sent me a picture or a link to your finished top.
Linking up with Free Motion By The River for Linky Tuesday.
Linking up with Val’s Quilting Studio
KatyQuilts 
I love it that you gave sizes for the blocks. There are so many beautiful patterns I would live to try but I don’t know how to go about figuring out how to cut the sizes to make the designs.
Your quilt is wonderful. It does look easy, but having the measurements to make a quilt acceptable for the QOV, makes it easier for me to think about starting one.
This is a wonderful tutorial for a great, quick quilt Katy! Even more wonderful is your work in honoring our men and women in the services. Way to go Blue Star Mom!
Congratulations to your daughter, what an amazing career! Great work on the quilt and thanks for the tutorial!
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Please extend my heartfelt thanks to your beautiful daughter for her service to our country. Thanks so much for sharing your directions for making this great quilt. I was wondering about the finished block size.
What a great quilt. I was going to ask about the pattern…thanks for sharing. Congratulations to your family. You should be proud.
Congrats Airman! So proud of you, and thank you for all you do for our country!
I love this quilt, Katy. Thank you for the instructions. 😀
Congrats to your beautiful daughter, pass along our thanks for what she does. Our SIL was in the army for a while and my brothers all were in the military so we know what it feels like. And thanks to you for the pattern. Beautiful quilt.
I love the QOV you made and thank you for sharing your pattern!
Congrats to your sweet Airman of the Year! Hugs,
Congratulations to your Airman of the Year! You should be so proud of her!
I love that block and would like to make a quilt from it … perhaps I’ll try your enlarged version, as you’re right – it doesn’t look clunky (like some blocks that are enlarged). Instructions seem clear to me, but then I don’t use patterns either.
WOW! You are one lucky Blue Star Mom of this beautiful Airman of the Year…Whoop! Whoop!!
And I dearly LOVE your QOV pattern, too. When I get some time (from organizing my studio FINALLY w/new shelving 😉 I’m definitely going to try and make one of these AND I’ll most definitely post and link and give credit AND anything else I can think of…Thank YOU for your generosity in sharing and especially for choosing to honor our Service Members and Veterans through Quilts of Valor…
Please give my CONGRATS to your Airman of The Year!
~Deb