The 2009 BH&G quilt calendar came today. It comes with a booklet with the patterns for each month's quilt.

April's quilt is a floral with blocks set on point and sashing with corners that make a star. Very cute!

But the coolest thing is how they make the main block. It's 3-inch squares, set in rows that make a diamond shape. One block in the first row, then three, then five, then seven, then five, three and one. You end up with "steps" along the sides and THEN you trim them (using a template) to get a square.

So the block looks like it was made with half-square triangles along the edges, but all you did was trim those outer squares.

I hate triangles but like the way they look, so this block is perfect for someone like me.

I looked at the BH&G website for the pattern but it's not there yet. Maybe it will be later.

Well, I made a sample block. It's very easy, except for trimming to make it 11 inches square. I don't have an 11-inch template so it was cut one side, then another, then cut some more, making sure to leave 1/4 inch on each side.

The block is very cute! If I had batteries in the camera, I'd post a photo.