I am excited to share my newest free quilt pattern, Sunny Lanes. This design is rooted in traditional patchwork but has the clean lines and movement that modern traditional quilters love.
Before getting into the details of the pattern, it is worth taking a closer look at the history of the Sunny Lanes quilt block and how it fits into the broader story of traditional quiltmaking.
The History of the Sunny Lanes Quilt Block
The Sunny Lanes quilt block is a traditional block built on a four patch grid. (Except I don't really understand that because to me, its a 9-patch. Maybe that is a topic for a future post.) It is typically classified as a four patch based design, a structure that dates back to some of the earliest known pieced quilts. Four patch and nine patch blocks are widely recognized as among the oldest quilt block formats because they rely entirely on squares and strong light and dark contrast, making them practical and visually effective for early quilters.
Sunny Lanes likely developed during the nineteenth century, when block style quilts became the dominant form of quiltmaking in America. During this time, quilters moved away from whole cloth and medallion quilts and began working with repeated blocks arranged in grids. This shift made quilts easier to piece, easier to transport, and ideal for using smaller pieces of fabric. The Sunny Lanes block reflects this practical approach through its use of strip pieced four patch units, which allowed quilters to work efficiently while maintaining accuracy.
Visually, Sunny Lanes is known for the strong directional effect created by alternating light and dark fabrics. When placed together in a quilt, the blocks form the appearance of paths or lanes running through the design. This sense of movement is a common feature in traditional quilt blocks, many of which were inspired by everyday surroundings such as roads, fences, and architectural layouts. Like many historic quilt blocks, Sunny Lanes has appeared under different names in various pattern collections, reflecting how designs were shared and adapted across regions rather than standardized under a single name. [blockcrazy.com]
About the Construction in This Pattern
My version of Sunny Lanes stays true to the traditional structure of the block while using techniques that work well for today’s quilters.
This pattern includes:
- Strip pieced four patch units and Sixteen patch unit
- Stitch and Flip (or snowballed corners) that create crisp points and added movement
I have a full video tutorial that walks through the process step by step to get perfect snowball corners each time.
You can watch the YouTube video here:
Snowball Corners tips and Tricks on Youtube
Part of Quilt Block Mania
Sunny Lanes is part of Quilt Block Mania, a collaborative event where a group of quilt designers each release a free quilt block. These releases happen at the beginning of the month, dropping on the First Tuesday. See more in my "Free Patterns" blog here.
Each designer brings their own style and ideas, making it a great way to explore different blocks and techniques. Links to all of the participating designers are included with this post so you can easily visit each one and collect the full set of blocks.
How to Get the Free Sunny Lanes Pattern
The Sunny Lanes quilt block pattern is free, but it is available to email subscribers only.
To access the download:
- Enter your email in the form below
- Use the link provided to download the pattern
Email subscribers receive access to free patterns, tutorials, and updates, including future Quilt Block Mania releases.
I hope Sunny Lanes inspires you to enjoy the history of traditional quilt blocks while exploring them in a fresh and modern way.
