Broken Dishes This is a fun and very easy block, and one you can use scraps for. For each broken dishes block you only need four contrasting squares, the size depends on the finished size block you want. If you wanted to use up a whole bunch of scraps, you could cut them all into the same size squares and then just make broken dishes with them. As long as they are all cut the same, and you use the same seam allowance, it wouldn't matter what size they were. (Be sure to write down what size you cut your scraps into incase you need more to finish your project!) The miniature quilt below was made with 3 inch broken dishes blocks. I used all scraps to make it, and there are two different broken dishes blocks, as seen by the red outlines.                 If you want a certain size block, see below to get that size broken dishes block. Cutting your squares 2 3/8 will give you a finished broken dishes block of 3 inches. Cutting your squares 2 7/8 will give you a finished broken dishes block of 4 inches. Cutting your squares 3 3/8 will give you a finished broken dishes block of 5 inches. Cutting your squares 3 7/8 will give you a finished broken dishes block of 6 inches. Cutting your squares 4 3/8 will give you a finished broken dishes block of 7 inches. Cutting your squares 4 7/8 will give you a finished broken dishes block of 8 inches. Cutting your squares 5 3/8 will give you a finished broken dishes block of 9 inches. Cutting your squares 5 7/8 will give you a finished broken dishes block of 10 inches. Cutting your squares 6 3/8 will give you a finished broken dishes block of 11inches. Cutting your squares 6 7/8 will give you a finished broken dishes block of 12 inches. Remember, finished means the size your broken dishes block will be when it is sewn into a quilt. The unfinished size is 1/2 inch larger. For the Broken Dishes block you will need four different contrasting squares. Check your measurements very carefully. Accuracy from beginning to end will assure that your blocks come out perfectly. Measure carefully, sew carefully, and you will have a perfect block. You will need four diagonal half squares for this block. First, mark the two lightest squares diagonally through the center. (This will be a cutting line when you are finished.) Place a marked and unmarked square right sides together. Sew on either side of the drawn line, exactly 1/4 inch from the first line. Cut this square in half on the cutting line. You will now have two diagonal half-squares. Repeat with the remaining squares. Now follow the pattern below, and put your broken dishes block together.         What if you don't want one HUGE broken dishes block in a sampler quilt? Make 4 six inch broken dishes blocks and put them together in a square for your sampler. They will equal a 12 inch finished (12 1/2 unfinished) block. Here is my broken dishes quilt, made from all Aunt Grace fabrics. Broken Dishes © Delaware Quilts July 2006 The content on these pages, including text and images are the sole property of the Delaware Quilts and may not be used or reproduced in any manner without consent. All Rights Reserved. Updated November 21, 2022 |Home| Quilts| Blocks| Email|