The Structure Behind Bricks and Blocks
The Bricks and Blocks quilt is a quick and beginner-friendly charm pack project that uses 5-inch squares for the blocks and 2-1/2 by 5-inch pieces for the bricks. The maker arranges the charm squares in a pleasing layout, pairs them with a neutral brick fabric, and sews each section together with a 1/4-inch seam allowance. To keep the brick seams centered on the blocks, the center point of each finished 4-1/2-inch block is marked at 2-1/4 inches before joining the sections. Any overhanging brick fabric is trimmed away for a clean edge, resulting in a simple, attractive quilt top that comes together quickly and makes excellent use of charm packs or leftover 5-inch squares.
I call this quilt Bricks and Blocks, and I think it is such a pretty and interesting design. It is also one of the fastest quilt tops I have ever sewn.
I made this project with a charm pack, so if you have any charm packs tucked away, this is a great way to use them. The blocks are simply 5-inch pieces of fabric, which is exactly what a charm square is. You can also cut your own 5-inch squares if you do not have a charm pack on hand.
The bricks are just as easy. I took a 5-inch charm square and sliced it in half, which gave me two pieces measuring 2-1/2 inches by 5 inches. That is all there is to the cutting.
I laid my 5-inch squares out in an order that I liked, then chose a neutral fabric for the bricks. I liked the way the neutral pieces gave the quilt some structure while still letting the charm squares stand out.
Once everything was arranged, this quilt top went together faster than I expected. All of a sudden, I looked at it and thought, “Wait a minute, I’m done.” It really was that quick.
I started by stitching the little brick pieces together with a 1/4-inch seam allowance. Then I stitched the blocks together the same way.
When it was time to join the bricks to the blocks, there was one important step I needed to do first.
After the 5-inch blocks are sewn together, the finished size is 4-1/2 inches because of the seam allowance. I needed to find the center point of that 4-1/2-inch space, which is 2-1/4 inches.
So, I measured 2-1/4 inches across the block and placed a small dot about 1/4 inch in from the edge. I repeated that mark wherever I needed the brick seam to line up with the block.
To attach the bricks to the blocks, I placed the pieces right sides together. Then I lined up the seam between the bricks with the dot I marked on the block.
That little dot makes all the difference. It helps keep the brick seam centered on the block so everything lines up evenly.
Once the dot and seam were aligned, I stitched the pieces together with a 1/4-inch seam allowance and opened it up.
One funny thing about this quilt is that when you sew the brick sections to the blocks, the bricks may hang over the edge a little bit. That is completely fine.
All I did was place my ruler along the edge of the block and slice off the extra fabric. Once the overhang was trimmed away, the edge was clean and ready for the next section.
That is all there is to making Bricks and Blocks. It is simple, quick, and a great way to use charm packs or 5-inch fabric squares you already have.
I love projects like this because they look interesting without being complicated. Give it a try, and happy sewing!
