Lately I have been getting my blocks made and pictured for the 52 Twisted Traditional Block Quilt Along a few days ahead of time but I still am finding myself spending half of my free Wednesday’s writing up the tutorials.  One of these days I’ll get my act together!

This week’s block is a little different than normal.  It all started about a week and half ago when I had the joy of seeing Suzi Parron give her presentation about her latest book “Barn Quilts and the American Quilt Trail Movement” at the local library.  She had great stories to share and it was very informative.  I put up a barn quilt at my orchard, paint barn quilts for others, and overall, just smile and feel happy whenever I see a barn quilt.  Of course – I had to buy her book!  One of the earlier barn quilts pictured in the book is a bird in a quilt square for the Moyer Winery and Restaurant.  I loved this block and figured it’s basically a ‘twisted’ nine patch since nine patches are used to make this bird. 
I also really wanted to do this block this week since it’s for the Moyer Winery and Restaurant.  Our cousins just happen to be holding the grand opening for their winery – Rock N Wool Winery, Poynette, WI – this weekend.  It just seemed like too many coincidences were happening for me to ignore this great bird block. 

Nine Patch Bird Block Tutorial for52 Twisted Traditional Block Quilt Along

Finished Block Size – 9” x 9”

I twisted the super traditional block – the nine patch. By making various blocks within each patch of the nine patch a bird emerges!

Cutting Instructions

Fabric A – Background (blue/green)
5 – 3.5” squares
1 – 4” squares
1 – 4” square cut in half diagonally
1 – 4.25” square cut in half diagonally

Fabric B – Beak and Feet (orange)
2 – 2” squares
1 – 4.25” square, cut in half diagonally
Fabric C – Bird (yellow)
1 – 4” square
1 – 4.25” square, cut in half diagonally

Fabric D – Leg (black/red)
1 – 3.5” x 1” rectangle

Directions

Diagram A.

Since there are so many different parts to make up this quilt blocks we’re going to split it into sections. Refer to Diagram A while making the block types below.
First – we’re going to make blocks 3 and 5 first – Half Square Triangles (HST).

Draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of the 4” square of Fabric A. Lay the 4” squares of Fabric A and Fabric C right sides together.

Stitch a quarter inch on either side of the line you drew.

Cut along the line. Iron towards Fabric A.

Square you blocks to 3.5” squares.
Next up Block 8, Diagram A.

Take one 3.5” square of Fabric A and place the rectangle strip of Fabric D on one side and stitch it down.

Press open and trim your block so it measures to 3.5” (trim off Fabric A…not Fabric D). Take a 2” square of Fabric B and draw a diagonal line from one corner to the other on the wrong side. Lay it right sides together as shown in the picture above.

Stitch right on the line you just drew.

Trim the outer corners off approximately a ¼” from the stitch line.

Iron towards the triangle. Block 8 is done.
Let’s work on Block 4, Diagram A.

Take your other 2” square of Fabric B and draw a diagonal line on the wrong side.

Stitch along the line.

Trim the outer corners off.

Iron toward Fabric B. Block 4 is complete.
Now we’ll work on Blocks 1 and 6, Diagram A.

Take on triangle of Fabric A and place it right sides together with Fabric C. Do the same with Fabric C and Fabric B triangles.

Stitch together and press towards Fabric C.

Cut both of these half square triangles in half as shown in the diagram above.

Now let’s add the triangles of Fabric A. Sew them right sides together and iron towards Fabric A. Square up to 3.5”.

Now – sew your nine patch bird together.

And there you have it – a Nine Patch Bird (the beak won’t looks so awkward once another block or sashing is added on…don’t forget…there is a quarter inch seam allowance)!
Thanks for following along and I hope you enjoyed this block tutorial!
Get your FREE printable PDF of this block by heading to my craftsy store.  Don’t wait too long…after a month (6/28), the PDF will be $1.

I can’t wait to see what all your blocks look like!  Be sure to share you blocks and any projects you make using your blocks onto our flickr group: 52 Blocks Quilt Along
Instagram/Twitter Hashtag: #52bTT

Previous Blocks

Stop back next Wednesday for another twisted traditional block tutorial!