Getting Started with the Engine Block Pattern

Free "Engine" Block Pattern
Getting Started

For best results, please read all directions before beginning.

Print the pattern. (Download it from the Free Patterns page.)
Place freezer paper (shiny side down) on top of the pattern.
You will be able to see the pattern through the freezer paper. With a pencil, trace all of the lines and notations (see photo right).

Note: All of our patterns have pre-printed freezer paper included, so this step will be eliminated when you are working from one of our commercial patterns.

The pattern you print will be the Master Pattern and the one you trace will be used as the templates.

Why use freezer paper?

If you haven't used freezer paper for quilting purposes before, you might like a little explanation. The back side of freezer paper is shiny and has a wax coating. This wax coating sticks temporarily to the fabric when heated with an iron, so these templates can be ironed directly onto the front of the fabric.

Tip: Freezer paper patterns can be used multiple times. After sewing the block, just save the pattern pieces for reuse by placing them in a labeled ziplock baggie by section.

About the pattern

There are symbols used throughout the pattern to guide you. Here is a brief legend to help you understand the symbols.

	Circled numbers identify pieces and give clues as to the order pieces are sewn.

A	Bold letters and bold lines indicate major sections. Work these one at a time.

B	Small letters indicate fabric color.

---	Dotted lines indicate subsections.

	Arrows denote which way to place pattern pieces when ironing to a directional fabric. For example, if you have a stripe fabric, iron the pattern piece so that the arrow is going the same way as the lines in the fabric. Arrows do not denote grain line.

	Generally, seams do not have to match, but there are exceptions. Seams that do need to match are indicated by a circle of the intersection.