April Block Tutorial in the 2026 NZP Block of the Month Patriotic Quilt Series
Announcing the NEW! 2026 Nancy Zieman Productions Free! Block of the Month Mystery Quilt Series!
FREE to join, our NEW! 2026 Block of the Month Mystery Quilt Series features the NEW! Documentaries Patriotic Fabric Collection by Kanvas Studio for Benartex Designer Fabrics, along with our No-Hassle Triangles Gauge & Ruler!
The NEW! Documentaries Patriotic Fat Quarter Pack will be an easy BoM! We welcome everyone to join in, even if you’ve never before made a quilt!
Gather your supplies and get ready for this all-new NZP BoM 2026 FREE! Block Tutorial Series TODAY, right here at the NZP Blog!
The NEW! Documentaries Patriotic Fabric Fat Quarter Bundle by Kanvas Studio for Benartex Designer Fabrics includes twenty-five 18″ x 21″ fabric rectangles. This stunning lineup is not just about color; it’s a tapestry of visual texture, featuring fireworks, vibrant dots, delightful swirls, patriotic stars, and classic basket weave patterns. These high-quality fabrics are carefully created in perfect colorful shades to evoke a sense of American pride and patriotism for this year’s Block of the Month Mystery Quilt Series! Each month we will be alternating between two block designs.
2026 NZP Mystery Block of the Month
Basic Supplies for NEW! 2026 Nancy Zieman Productions Free! Block of the Month Mystery Quilt Series!
All blocks will feature fabrics from the NEW! Documentaries Patriotic Fabric Fat Quarter Bundle with EXCLUSIVE FREE! USA 250 ShopNZP.com Sticker!
Finished quilt measures approximately 94” x 94″. For this quilt project, you will need:
- One NEW! Documentaries Patriotic Fabric Fat Quarter Bundle with EXCLUSIVE FREE! USA 250 ShopNZP.com Sticker!
- Exclusive No-Hassle Triangles Ruler by Team NZP
- No-Hassle Triangles Gauge by Nancy Zieman for Clover
- 2-1/2 yds. Block Background Fabric: White Print such as: Documentaries Patriotic Starburst Dots White Fabric by the Yard
- 5/8 yds. Binding Fabric: Navy or Blue Fabric such as: Documentaries Patriotic Herringbone Navy Fabric by the Yard, OR Documentaries Patriotic Herringbone Denim Blue Fabric
- 7-3/4 yds. to 8 yds. of Backing Fabric: 43/44″ Wide Documentaries Fabric of your choice, OR 2-7/8 yds. to 3 yds. 108″ Wide Banner Celebration Wide Back Fabric by the Yard, OR Patriotic Starlight White Wide Back Fabric by the Yard, OR other 108″ Wide Back of your choice
- 7/8 yds. Sashing Fabric: True Red or Claret Red Fabric such as: Documentaries Patriotic Starburst Dots True Red Fabric, Documentaries Patriotic Diamond Calico Caret Red Fabric, Documentaries Patriotic Herringbone Claret Red Fabric, Documentaries Patriotic Starburst Dots Claret Red Fabric
- 1-1/4 yds. Borders Fabric: Blue or Navy such as: Documentaries Patriotic Herringbone Navy Fabric
- June Tailor’s Starch Savvy
- 45 mm Rotary Cutter and Cutting Mat
- Scissors
- Frixion Marking Pen or Fine White Marking Pen by Clover
- Tailor’s Clapper
- Fine Quilting Pins by Clover
- 1/4″ Quilting Presser Foot or 1/4″ Quilting Presser Foot with Guide
- Size 75 Schmetz Quilting Needles
- Silk Finish Cotton Quilting Thread for piecing
- One Pellon Nature’s Touch Batting – Queen OR 2-7/8 yds. to 3 yds. Pellon Nature’s Touch Batting 120″ by the Yard
- Optional: June Tailor’s Quilt Basting Spray
- Optional: Quick Cut Thread Cutter by Team NZP for Clover for quilting
- Optional: Wonder Pins by Clover
- Optional: Ultimate Quilt ‘N Stitch Presser Foot by Team NZP for Clover for quilting
- Iron or LauraStar Ironing System
Sharpen Your Tools
Well, not really, but do make certain that you have a sharp blade in your rotary cutter, and gather your No-Hassle Triangles Ruler, rotary cutting mat and pressing notions. The main tools for our 2026 Block of the Month are our Exclusive No-Hassle Triangles Ruler by Team NZP and the No-Hassle Triangles Gauge by Nancy Zieman for Clover. You may have already guessed the blocks will be made with triangles! Great News! Half-Square Triangles are easy to create with our Exclusive No-Hassle Triangles Ruler and No-Hassle Triangles Gauge!
Get Started Today
Prepare for the NEW! 2026 Nancy Zieman Productions Free! Block of the Month Mystery Quilt Series by gathering and organizing your supplies. Organize your sewing space, and as soon as you have your fabrics, press & starch all Fat Quarters.
Hint from the Stitch it! Sisters: Pre-shrink quilt fabrics by steaming and pressing, and steaming and pressing a second time, and then press one more time using June Tailors Quilter’s Starch Savvy.
- 2026 NZP Mystery Block of the Month Sewing Tutorials began on Saturday, January 10, 2026.
- As always, there’s no cost to join and no need to formally sign up.
- On the third Saturday of each month in 2026, we will be posting a new quilt block tutorial.
- Block designs will be stitched each month. Each month we will be alternating between two block designs.
- 2026 NZP Block of the Month is fat quarter friendly.
- 2026 NZP Block of the Month project lasts 12 months.
- 2026 NZP Block of the Month features 16-1/2″ square blocks; 16″ finished squares.
- The Approx. Finished 2026 NZP Mystery Block of the Month Quilt Size: 94″ x 94″
Did you follow along with one or more of our previous NZP Block of the Month Series? If you finished part of all of the quilt blocks or the entire project, please share photos. We’d love to see and share them! Email your finished BoM quilt or quilt top photos to [email protected].
Find all the Supplies for NEW! 2026 Block of the Month Mystery Quilt Series at Nancy Zieman Productions at ShopNZP.com!
All blocks will feature fabrics from the NEW! Documentaries Patriotic Fat Quarter Fabric Bundle with EXCLUSIVE FREE! USA 250 ShopNZP.com Sticker! along with our Exclusive No-Hassle Triangles Ruler by Team NZP and Nancy’s No-Hassle Triangles Gauge by Clover. Follow along as we share step-by-step how to create the April Quilt Blocks.
April Quilt Blocks
Keep your fabric choices sorted using this handy April Modified New Album Quilt Block Planner. Download the planner, make notes, and/or pin cut block elements to the planner to remind you of the fabric placements.
Prepare your fabrics! Pre-shrink fabrics by steaming and pressing. Then, stabilize fabrics for the sewing process by pressing and starching fabrics with Quilter’s Starch Savvy.
April 2026 NZP Block of the Month Quilt Blocks
Assembled block is 16-1/2″ square; 16″ finished square.
This month we’re sharing our step-by-step tutorial for ONE Modified New Album Quilt Block A. Then repeating the steps with different hues of blue and red fabrics, from the NEW! Documentaries Patriotic Fat Quarter Fabric Pack, to create a total of three April blocks. Follow along as we demonstrate how to create the April Quilt Blocks.
This month’s BoM26 block tutorial illustrations feature the following Documentaries Patriotic Fabrics: Starburst Dots Denim Blue, Mini Stars Navy, Diamond Calico Denim Blue, Starburst Dots Claret Red & White, Herringbone Navy, Starburst Dots Navy & White, Diamond Calico Navy, Starlight Denim Blue, Starburst Dots Claret Red, Lots of Dots Navy, Diamond Calico Denim Blue, Bandana Diamond Navy, Starburst Dots Navy & Blue, and Herringbone Claret Red, and Starburst Dots White as the block background fabrics.
Using the Exclusive No-Hassle Triangles Ruler by Team NZP, cut block squares, below.
- Cut ONE 4-7/8″ Crosswise Fabric Strip from Block Background Fabric, shown above in Documentaries Patriotic Starburst Dots White Fabric.
- From crosswise fabric strip, sub-cut 4-7/8″ squares from Block Background Fabric, for a total of FOUR squares. Set aside and reserve remaining fabric for upcoming blocks.
- Cut ONE 6-1/8″ square from Documentaries Patriotic Lots of Dots Navy Reserved Fat Quarter, as shown above.
- Cut ONE 4-7/8″ square from Documentaries Patriotic Diamond Calico Denim Blue reserved Fat Quarter, as shown above. Set aside square and reserve remaining fabric for upcoming blocks.
- Cut ONE 4-7/8″ Fabric Square from Documentaries Patriotic Bandana Diamond Navy Reserved Fat Quarter, as shown above. Set aside block and reserve remaining fabric for upcoming blocks.
- Cut ONE 4-7/8″ Fabric Square from Documentaries Patriotic Starburst Dots Navy & Blue Fat Quarter, as shown above. Set aside square and reserve remaining fabric for upcoming blocks.
- Cut FOUR 4-1/2″ x 8-1/2″ Rectangles from Documentaries Patriotic Starburst Dots Claret Red Fat Quarter, as shown above. Set aside rectangles and reserve remaining fabric for upcoming blocks.
Construct SQUARE-IN-A-SQUARE for April BLOCK A
All seam allowances are scant 1/4″ unless otherwise stated.
- Sub-cut TWO 4-7/8″ Starburst Dots White block background squares in half diagonally, as shown, to create a total of FOUR Starburst Dots White half-square triangles.
- Layout two Starburst Dots White half-square triangles, and one 6-1/8″ Lots of Dots Navy square, as shown above.
- Place one Starburst Dots White half-square triangle to Lots of Dots Navy square edge, right sides together, as shown above. Pin.
- Insert a new Size 75 Schmetz Quilting Needle and attach 1/4″ Quilting Presser Foot to sewing machine.
- Align right edge of 1/4″ Quilting Presser Foot to edge of fabrics, as shown above. Stitch.
- Using Tailor’s Clapper and iron, press seam flat to set the stitching, as shown above.
- Using Tailor’s Clapper and iron, on fabric right side, press half-square triangle away from center block.
- Rotate block assembly 180 degrees. Place one Starburst Dots White half-square triangle to Lots of Dots Navy square opposite edge, right sides together, as shown above. Pin.
- Align right edge of 1/4″ Quilting Presser Foot to edge of block assembly as shown above. Stitch.
- Using Tailor’s Clapper and iron, press seam flat to set the stitching, as shown above.
- Using Tailor’s Clapper and iron, on fabric right side, press half-square triangle away from center block.
- Rotate block assembly 180 degrees and repeat steps above, stitching two remaining Starburst Dots White half-square triangles to Lots of Dots Navy square assembly opposite edges, as shown above.
- You’ve created ONE 8-1/2″ Center “Square-in-a-Square” Block.
Construct HALF-SQUARE TRIANGLES for April BLOCK A
All seam allowances are scant 1/4″ unless otherwise stated.
Following the steps below, create TWO Half-Square Triangle Blocks from each of these fabric pairings:
- Documentaries Patriotic Diamond Calico Denim Blue 4-7/8″ Squares and Documentaries Patriotic Starburst Dots White 4-7/8″ Squares
- Documentaries Patriotic Bandana Diamond Navy 4-7/8″ Squares and Documentaries Patriotic Starburst Dots White 4-7/8″ Squares
- Documentaries Patriotic Starburst Dots Navy & Blue 4-7/8″ Squares and Documentaries Patriotic Starburst Dots White 4-7/8″ Squares
- Align 4-7/8″ squares right sides together, in pairs of: One Square Blue (dark fabric) and One Square Starburst Dots White Block Background Fabric (light fabric), as shown above. Create ONE block set pairs per color.
- Mark block set pairs using Clover’s No-Hassle Triangles Gauge, and Clover’s Fine Marking Pen or a Frixion Marking Pen, using the directions below.
- The left side of the No-Hassle Triangles Gauge is designated to create Half-Square Triangle quilt blocks. Depress button on sliding portion of the gauge, and move to 4-1/2″ Half-Square Triangle setting.
- Place Clover’s No-Hassle Triangles Gauge on the block set pairs, corner to corner, as shown above. Match corner marks of gauge with corners of block set pairs. Mark fabric through center die cut openings on gauge, with Clover’s Fine Marking Pen or a Frixion Marking Pen.
- Using marking pen and ruler, connect marked lines on block pair set to create one solid line center mark, as shown above.
Stitch Blocks
- Align the right edge of the 1/4″ Quilting Presser Foot along one side of center marking on the block pair set, stitch, as shown above.
- “Kiss” the next block set to the stitched block and chain stitch (stitching continually) from one block pair set to the next.
- Rotate block pair sets 180 degrees as shown above. Stitch along the opposite side of center marked lines. Remove Pins.
- Using a scissors or Quick Cut Thread Cutter, cut threads between chain stitched block pair sets.
- Cut block pair sets in half, along center marked lines, with a rotary cutter, ruler, and mat, as shown above.
- Using an iron and Tailor’s Clapper press seams flat, to set the stitching, as shown above.
- Using an iron and Tailor’s Clapper press seam allowances towards dark fabric, as shown above.
- Create TWO 4-1/2″ Half-Square Triangle Blocks, per color pairing.
Construct BLOCK A
- Layout FOUR 4-1/2″ Half-Square Triangle Corner Blocks, FOUR 4-1/2″ x 8-1/2″ Middle Rectangles, and ONE 8-1/2″ Center Block Square-in-a-Square assembly, ensuring blocks are positioned, as shown above. Rotate blocks as needed.
- Row 1: Place Corner Squares to middle rectangle, right sides together. Pin. Stitch.
- Press seams flat, then press open or to one side–using an iron and Tailor’s Clapper to set the seams.
- Repeat steps above and to complete stitching row 1, row 2, and row 3.
- Press seams flat, then press open or to one side–using an iron and Tailor’s Clapper to set the seams.
- Layout Block rows as shown above.
- Place Row 1 to Row 2, right sides together. Pin. Stitch.
- Press seams flat, then press open or to one side–using an iron and Tailor’s Clapper to set the seams.
- Place 2 assembly to Row 3, right sides together. Pin. Stitch.
- Press seams flat, then press open or to one side–using a, iron and Tailor’s Clapper to set the seams.
- The April BLOCK A: Modified New Album Quilt Block is complete!
Construct April BLOCKS B and C
Repeat steps above and create ONE April BLOCK B: Modified New Album Quilt Block as shown, using the following fabrics:
- Construct Center Square-In-A-Square–Block Center with the following fabrics:
• 6-1/8″ Square: Starburst Dots Denim Blue
• 4-7/8″ Half-square triangles: Starburst Dots White
Construct HALF-SQUARE TRIANGLE CORNERS:
• 4-7/8″ Squares: Starburst Dots Denim Blue & Starburst Dots White
• 4-7/8″ Squares: Mini Stars Navy & Starburst Dots White
• 4-7/8″ Squares: Diamond Calico Denim Blue & Starburst Dots White
• 4-7/8″ Squares: Starburst Dots Navy & Blue & Starburst Dots White (Use block reserved from Block A)
Cut 4-1/2″ x 8-1/2″ RECTANGLES:
• Starburst Dots Claret Red & White
Repeat steps above and create ONE April BLOCK C: Modified New Album Quilt Block as shown, using the following fabrics:
- Construct Center Square-In-A-Square–Block Center with the following fabrics:
• 6-1/8″ Square: Herringbone Navy
• 4-7/8″ Half-square triangles: Starburst Dots White
Construct CORNER HALF-SQUARE TRIANGLE CORNERS:
• 4-7/8″ Squares: Bandana Diamond Navy & Starburst Dots White (Use block reserved from Block A)
• 4-7/8″ Squares: Starburst Dots Navy & White & Starburst Dots White
• 4-7/8″ Squares: Diamond Calico Navy & Starburst Dots White
• 4-7/8″ Squares: Starlight Denim Blue & Starburst Dots White
Cut 4-1/2″ x 8-1/2″ RECTANGLES:
• Starburst Dots Claret Red
The April Blocks are now complete! Stay tuned for next month’s May Mystery blocks!
Watch Stitch it! Sisters Program 118 No-Hassle Triangles in Quilts
Watch Stitch it! Sisters Program 118 No-Hassle Triangles in Quilts! Join Deanna as she demonstrates Nancy Zieman’s No-Hassle methods of cutting, marking, and stitching 1/2-square or 1/4-square triangles – without ever cutting a triangle, or guessing at the sizes! Plus see a gallery of quilt blocks and find inspiration for your next quilting project.
1/2 -Square and ¼-Square Triangle Quilt Blocks are the foundation elements of many popular quilt blocks including Night Vision, Weather Vane, Sawtooth Star, Shoo Fly, Square Dance, May Basket, Kings Crown, Windmill, and Nancy’s Spool.
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