The Merry Kite is a lovely traditional quilt block that uses just flying geese and squares to sew together – perfect for the confident beginner and experienced quilter alike. I can imagine a mother designing this block while watching her little child flying a kite!
If you change the center dark square to the light background fabric, the block is called “Mrs. Fay’s Favorite Friendship Block” that appeared in Hearth and Home.
Fabric Requirements for a 12″ Finished Merry Kite Quilt Block:
- Light/Ivory: 4 – 2.5″ x 4.5″ rectangles, and 8 – 2.5″ squares
- Medium/Green: 12 – 2.5″ squares
- Dark/Burgundy: 1 – 4.5″ square, 4 – 2.5″ x 4.5″ rectangles, and 12 – 2.5″ squares
Sewing Directions:
Four Patch Units:
Step 1:
Make 4 Four Patch units using the 8 Light/Ivory 2.5″ squares, 4 of the Medium/Green 2.5″ squares, and 4 of the Dark/Burgundy 2.5″ squares as shown in the picture below. You can find my tutorial for making a basic Four Patch block at https://quiltembroiderypdf.com/how-to-sew-a-basic-four-patch-quilt-block
Flying Geese Units:
Step 2:
Using the four Light/Ivory 2.5″ x 4.5″ rectangles and the remaining 8 Dark/Burgundy 2.5″ squares sew together four Flying Geese patches as shown below. You will find my tutorial showing my no-trim method of making a basic Flying Geese block at https://quiltembroiderypdf.com/how-to-sew-a-basic-flying-geese-block
Step 3:
Repeat Step 2 using the four Dark/Burgundy 2.5″ x 4.5″ rectangles and the remaining eight Medium/Green 2.5″ squares as shown in the picture below.
Step 4:
Match up a Step 2 and a Step 3 Flying Geese patch and sew together as shown below. Press seam allowance toward the Step 3 patch. Repeat for a total of four Flying Geese units.
Putting It All Together:
Step 5:
Lay out the Four Patch units, the Flying Geese units, and the center Dark/Burgundy 4.5″ square as shown in the picture below.
Step 6:
From here the block goes together like a basic Nine Patch block. First, sew the units into three rows as shown below. Not all of the seam allowances will nest together, so take your time to get those intersections to match up.
Step 7:
Press the seam allowances away from the Flying Geese units as shown in the picture below.
Step 8:
Next, sew the three rows together to complete the block.
Step 9:
Press the seam allowances toward the center of the block. You’re done!
Layout Ideas:
This is a basic 4 x 4 layout using colors similar to the tutorial.
