I found this block pattern in one of my quilt books and it was pleasantly appealing to me. It's also simple to make.
Fabric:
background: (2) 5" squares, (1) 4 1/2" square, and (8) 3" squares--cut diagonally to form 16 triangles
dark: (2) 5" squares
medium #1: (1) 2" x 16" strip
medium #2: (1) 2" x 16" strip
Sew the two strips of medium fabric together. Press seam towards darker fabric. Cut strip into 2" segments, which you will then sew together in a four-patch pattern.
Sew a background triangle to opposite edges of the four-patch. Press out. Sew two more triangles to the other edges. Press out again.
Square up each section to 4 1/2".
Draw a line diagonally on the back of the 2 5" background squares. Lay each on top of one of the 5" dark squares. Sew a scant 1/4" seam on either side of the line. Cut on the line and press the square open towards the dark fabric.
Square up to 4 1/2". Sew one of these half-square triangles to either side of a four-patch section, taking care that the darker of the two mediums are place horizontally--as pictured. Repeat with the other dark/light half-square triangles, taking care to reverse the dark triangles, as pictured. These are your top and bottom rows.
Sew a four-patch section to either side of the 4 1/2" center piece, taking care that the darker medium fabrics are place vertically, as pictured. This is the center row of your block.
Line up the three rows, matching seams, and sew together. Press thoroughly. You're done!
