Affinity Quilt Block Tutorial

The Affinity quilt block would make a beautiful table topper and this tutorial gives you an idea of how I wrote the Affinity pattern.

Do you remember my Affinity quilt pattern that I designed last year for Island Batik? Just before Christmas my quilt came back home to me after traveling for a year.

I thought it would be fun to share a tutorial for one of the blocks in the Affinity quilt.

Affinity Quilt Block Tutorial

16″ x 16″ table topper

When I design a quilt for Island Batik I usually have a little extra fabric leftover. Sometimes I make a mistake cutting things. Tell me that it isn’t hard to believe!

In my patterns, I always say to read through the entire pattern first and many times I suggest making one block so you can see how it goes together.

I ended up making two sample blocks that I didn’t use. I kept them up on my small design wall so I wouldn’t lose them.

A couple of months ago I had one of those moments when you just don’t know what you want to work on, do you ever have that? This is usually when I get the urge to just play and maybe finish a UFO or two. Thank goodness for moments like that!

I decided to go ahead and quilt this block and make a table topper.

At least one of the blocks is off the wall! If you are a new quilter, small quilt projects like this are a perfect way to practice your skills at piecing and free motion quilting.

There are many ways that this block could be made. I used just squares and half-square triangle blocks which made it super easy to make. 

If I’m not using my AccuQuilt GO! 2½” HST dies (which are fantastic for half-square triangles) I usually make my half square blocks over-sized and then trim them to the correct size. If you have an AccuQuilt GO! cutting machine this is the one die to buy immediately! Of course, then you will soon want all of the HST die sizes!

Fabric needed – batik fat quarters

• White
• Blue Multi-print
• Green
• Light Purple
• Purple
• Navy
• Navy print

Cutting Directions:

• Cut 20 – 3″ White squares
• Cut 20 – 3″ Blue Multi Print squares
• Cut 6 – 3″ Light Purple squares
• Cut 6 – 3″ Purple squares
• Cut 8 – 2½” Green squares
• Cut 2 – 2½” Navy squares
• Cut 2 – 2½” Navy print squares

Sew with a ¼” seam allowance and press to the dark print or open.

Sewing the Half Square Triangle quilt blocks:

This is the same diagram that I include in my pattern and the instructions that I include.

Make 2 blocks with the pieces arranged as shown. Your blocks will measure 8½” x 8½” square.

Make 2 more blocks with the piece arranged as shown. Your blocks will measure 8½” x 8½” square.

Here is a diagram of the Affinity table topper. Layout your blocks and sew them together.

Your Affinity quilt block will measure 16½” x 16½”

Add a backing and batting and then quilt as desired. Add your binding using my machine binding tutorial. I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and I always enjoy seeing any quilt projects made from my tutorials!
Using coordinating fabrics makes it easy to design blocks and a quilt.

Would you like a downloadable PDF of this post?

Did you happen to see the photos of my Affinity quilt that went to quilt market in St. Louis last year?

You can find the Affinity quilt pattern in my shop.