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The Flight of Fancy quilt block is a 12-inch finished design built from a center square and eight surrounding units arranged in three rows. American Patchwork & Quilting’s instructions use scraps in five color groups and marked diagonal sewing lines. The exact cutting list and diagrams are available in its Flight of Fancy block instructions.
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Take Flight: Fun With Textile Collage | $24.48 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Elizabeth Hartman Fancy Forest Quilt Pattern | $23.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Quilt in a Day Trip Aournd the World Quilt Pattern | $12.88 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Quilts of Valor Pattern Set - Villa Rosa Designs | $16.04 | Buy on Amazon |
Materials and cutting for one block
The AllPeopleQuilt version calls for light tan, green, pink, cream, and dark tan print scraps rather than fixed yardage. Its cutting list includes:
- One 3½-inch light tan square for the center.
- Green squares in 5-inch and 2-inch sizes.
- Four pink rectangles.
- Cream and dark tan 3⅞-inch squares, cut diagonally into triangles.
- Eight cream 2-inch squares.
Use the linked instructions for the complete cutting diagram and exact placement of each piece. A quilter’s marking pencil is needed to draw the diagonal sewing lines. Choose prints with enough contrast to distinguish the center, surrounding shapes, and corners.
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How the block is assembled
- Make the square-in-a-square center by sewing the small marked green squares to the corners of the light tan center square along the drawn diagonal lines.
- Add green corner triangles to the pink rectangles to make the rectangle units.
- Pair cream and dark tan triangles to make triangle-square units.
- Attach those triangle-square units at opposite corners of green squares.
- Arrange the center and eight outer units in three rows, checking the fabric placement against the diagram before sewing.
- Trim seams to ¼ inch and press the units open. Alternate the seam directions in adjoining rows, then join the rows.
These directions describe the AllPeopleQuilt version; follow its cutting list and assembly diagrams as one complete pattern rather than mixing pieces or steps with another tutorial.
Color placement and quilt layout
Color placement changes which shapes catch the eye. Elaine Huff’s tutorial describes changing the colors to make a star stand out in the center; its Flight of Fancy block tutorial also discusses how repeated blocks can form X and on-point square shapes at their junctions. These are visual effects of the particular color placement and setting, not a guarantee for every fabric combination.
Rank #2
- Elizabeth Hartman Fancy forest pattern
- Elizabeth Hartman Fancy forest pattern- a delightful sampler quilt featuring popular animal blocks, Fancy Fox, Hazel hedgehog, bunny, allied owl
- This Fat quarter friendly project is Sewn with simple straight and diagonal seams with no templates or paper Piecing
- The large quilt 67x 91is perfect for a Twin Size bed or as a lap quilt while the small 35x 47makes a it a perfect Size for baby's Crib or as a wall Hanging
- Includes instructions and diagrams
A single block shows the central arrangement clearly. Repeating blocks can make the secondary shapes more apparent, and the tutorial illustrates several ways to set them:
- A plain repeated setting, such as a 4-by-4 arrangement.
- Blocks separated by sashing and cornerstones.
- An on-point layout, which rotates the blocks and changes how their shapes meet.
- Alternating blocks to vary the visual rhythm.
Before sewing a full top, lay out several blocks or use a design wall to check how the chosen color contrast and setting work together.
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Rank #3
- Great for beginners
- Multiple Size Options
- Only need a 6"x24" Ruler and Rotary Cutter
Quilting ideas for the finished top
AllPeopleQuilt’s Beyond the Block: Flight of Fancy guide shows two machine-quilting approaches. Kim Sandberg begins by stabilizing in the ditch of the X, then combines straight lines and gentle curves in a continuous-line design. The guide names Superior Threads So Fine #470 and a 3/8-inch Echo Foot for that example.
Kristina Whitney’s example combines straight lines, circles, swirls, and teardrops, and names So Fine #517. These are published design examples, not required materials: choose thread and quilting motifs that suit the fabrics, desired texture, and equipment you have.
Rank #4
- An assortment of 12 patterns that meet the requirements for Quilts of Valor
- Finished Sizes: Yesterday (55 x 70in), Stars N Stripes (56 x 70in), Star Rail (60 x 72in), Salute (63 x 72in), Pride (53 x 70in, with optional border 59 x 76in), Honor (56 x 76in), Gallant (60 x 70in), Fernanda (55 x 73in), Farmhouse Blues (60 x 75in, or 72 x 87in), Daring Spirit (50 x 68in, wth optional border 63 x 81in), Grand Prize (57 x 75in), and Celebration (64 x 80in).
- Offered are patterns to make quilts, not finished items
One block pattern, another tutorial
Elaine Huff’s tutorial is a distinct version: it uses a different color assignment and describes making eight half-square triangles before adding them to larger squares. Its method and cutting interpretation are not interchangeable with the AllPeopleQuilt instructions. Pick one version and follow that version’s pieces, measurements, and sequence from start to finish.
Quick Recap
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