This block looks hard yet it is super easy to make. The beauty of this block resides in the many quilt layouts you can make by just using different colours for each piece.
How to make a Storm at sea block
Watch a short video demonstrating how to make this block.
If you enjoy my videos, subscribe to my YouTube channel and get notified every time I publish a new video.
This block is a perfect block to learn foundation paper piecing.
I know a lot of people feel a bit confused by foundation piecing. I hope this video makes sense to you.
Storm at sea block size
9 1/2 inches.
Download templates only
Storm at sea quilt pattern
Other layouts
Sewn Up 
I have always wAntes to make a Storm at Sea quilt but have felt intimidated. Thank you so much for this tutorial. Your directions are easy to follow. I have new confidence that this quilt is going to move way up my to do list!
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It looks hard but it’s really quite easy to put together. And with foundation piecing it’s perfect every time
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Thank you for the excellent video.
One question – is the paper taken out?
Thank you.
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Yes, you take the paper out when you finish the block or complete the quilt top.
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Thank you for your speedy response.
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Thank you for simplifying this quilt! I have been wanting to do one for years, but I was too intimidated. I hope it is as easy as you made it look!
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It’s surprisingly quite an easy block to make with paper piecing. Give it a go, sometimes it may take a few goes before one becomes confident. Then it becomes second nature. Too easy almost.
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Thank you for doing this, I have always wanted to make this pattern. Do you have material estimates for this in different size quilts? I want to start collecting the various fabrics. Thanks again!
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For a twin size 56 x 74 approx you would need 2 1/4 yards of the white fabric, 1 yard of the medium colour for the centre square and the triangles of the corner squares, 1 yard of the side diamonds fabric and 1 1/8 yards for the triangles around the centre square. That’s for 48 blocks altogether.
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I’ve been wanting to try my hand at paper piecing, and this just made things so much easier to understand. Thank you!
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Reblogged this on Nonni's Creative Place and commented:
I’ve been wanting to make a quilt for one of my daughters as a Christmas present but haven’t found a block pattern I liked…..until I found this one. I really really like it. This block is named “Storm at Sea” which suits it so well with the illusion of motion after the quilt top is completed.
Thank you Theresa at TheresaDownUnder …. I love your blog.
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Have you seen the series MSQC just released on YT? They’ve STOLEN your presentation style!!! I hope they gave you some kind of financial reward or recognized your efforts in some way.
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Hi Linda, I’m very happy you noticed! Thank you! I actually saw the MSQC quilt snips on their facebook page when they posted the first one probably 2 or 3 months ago and I thought the format looked extremely similar to my videos, including the music.
But I wasn’t surprised. I was waiting for it to happen actually. Not necessarily from MSQC but from any another outfit with a larger budget than mine. I didn’t expect any acknowledgement though.
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Just stumbled across you – not sure how, but thanks for the Storm at Sea video and pattern download. Nice site!
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👍😊
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Do I need to iron press after each piece is sewn or strictly finger press?
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I usually iron press after I sew each piece for an even neater look.
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Firstly, thank you so much for sharing this pattern & video tutorial. It looks fabulous. I will be making this very soon.
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Great to hear. Good luck with it.
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What paper do you recommend for FPP? I don’t have a light box (can’t afford it and have no space) and tracing paper tears like no other. It was suggested I get plain white newspaper because it can go through my printer without jamming or tearing.
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I’ve always used regular printer paper. Cheaper printer paper is actually thinner. If you don’t mind the extra time, you can sew through all lines before you start stitching so it’s easier to remove at the end. But I don’t find that necessary.
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CAN YOU SEND ME THE YARDAGE FOR THE QUILT? I LOVE THE STORM AT SEA, AND LIKE PAPER PIECING. WANT TO THIS ONE.
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Terrie For a twin size 56 x 74 approx you would need 2 1/4 yards of the white fabric, 1 yard of the medium colour for the centre square and the triangles of the corner squares, 1 yard of the side diamonds fabric and 1 1/8 yards for the triangles around the centre square. That’s for 48 blocks altogether.
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QThanks for this tut. Going to have a go,you have made it look so simple.
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That’s great. I always say that this block looks hard but it’s really simple, at least if you use foundation piecing.
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Love your Storm at Sea ……. do you think one could use the Accuquilt Go! to cut the pieces?
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Barb, I haven’t used accuquilt but if you have the pattern pieces you should be able to.
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THANKS TeresaDownUnder ! I was just wondering what sizes of fabric pieces I would use to do the paper piecing with.
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I see. I would always cut a bit more than 1/4″ around the shape to be sure, particularly if this is the first time to paper piece. That gives you room to make mistakes.
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Thank you!
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Your videos are the best tutorials on quilting ever, and I have watched tons of them in my effort to learn quilting. It’s always a delight when the email arrives announcing you’ve made a new one. For my third ever quilt, I’m tackling the Storm at Sea pattern, thanks to you. I don’t think I’d have the confidence otherwise. I have one quick question: what stitch length would you recommend? I gather that the paper can be tricky to tear out if it’s too short or too long.
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Thank you Dinah for your kind words. When I started out with paper piecing I used smaller stitches but then I stopped. Removing the paper is tedious but it’s not hard. Smaller stitches may help but you need to judge for yourself. A thinner printer paper may also help. Some of the cheaper papers are also thinner. Good luck with it. I’d like to see the quilt when you finish it 🙂
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This sounds like a silly to ask .but you don’t put a 1/4 inch on the pieces .is this because it is already in the pieces.
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The pattern comes with 1/4″ seam allowances
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Love this tutorial….have done a little foundation work but this make it doable…if that is a word…lol.
Thank you for your videos and love the catchy music with this one!
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I’m currently cutting out the pieces for this, but I can’t seem to figure out how to cut the diamonds. Do you have a tutorial for cutting diamonds?
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If you wish to avoid cutting too much excess fabric, you could print an extra paper template, cut out each shape and use them as a guide to cut your fabric. Always cut enough around the shape to include a 1/4″ seam allowance plus a bit more. I hope this helps.
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I think by cutting your triangles around the diamond closer to the real size, yo won’t have so much trouble sewing them
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How many blocks across and up and down would I need to make a quilt slightly larger than a twin size quilt
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Alejandra, it depends on the size. I have a pattern for 45” x 45” quilt https://mypatchwork.wordpress.com/2016/11/10/christmas-storm-at-sea-quilt-free-pattern-download/
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thank you so much I can’t wait to get started
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