Quilt Block Patterns Archives - Ludlow Quilt and Sew

Meetinghouse Square Quilt Block Pattern

Posted on April 3, 2018 Written by Rose

Meetinghouse Square quilt block

The Meetinghouse Square quilt block is rather a large block but it is easy to make as it is such a regular block. I have made it here as a 27″ square finished size so that the photos and instructions would be as clear as possible. The secret to making the block is to look out for the larger shapes when you’re laying out the patchwork squares.

Cutting requirements for the meetinghouse square quilt block

3.1/2″ squares: eight red, thirteen white, fourteen blue

3.7/8″ squares: twenty red, twenty white

9.1/2″ by 3.1/2″ rectangles: two blue

Make half square triangles

Make the half square triangle units

Use the 3.7/8″ squares to make half square triangles. Place a red and a white square with right sides together and mark a line along the diagonal. Sew a 1/4″ seam either side of the marked line and cut along the line. This will produce two half square triangle units. These are now 3.1/2″ squares and you need to trim the two corners where fabric sticks out.

Nine patch centre

Central layout

Begin with a nine patch formation in the middle of the block.

Lay out two rows of red, blue, red with a blue, white, blue row between them.

First frame

Add the first frame around this central area. Along each edge of the nine patch unit place two half square triangles with a white square between them. Together with the red squares of the nine patch, these red triangles will now form larger red triangles pointing towards the middle.

Place a blue square at each corner of this frame.

Second frame added

Add the second frame

For the next frame, the squares are the same along each edge.

Place a red square in each corner with a half square triangle on either side. These red triangles will now form larger red triangles with the red squares from the previous frame. This time the larger red triangles point away from the middle. In the top and bottom rows, place a blue rectangle in the middle. Down the sides, place three individual blue squares between the half square triangles. I have used squares rather than rectangles down the sides because it makes it more simple when you come to sew the rows to each other.

Meetinghouse square quilt block layout

The final frame

Just one more frame now to complete the meetinghouse square quilt block. This frame is very much a border rather than a continuation of the design within the rest of the block.

Place a white square in each corner and in the middle of each edge. Between these white squares place three half square triangle units – so that’s two sets of three along each edge of the block. These form two larger red triangles pointing towards the middle along each edge and two larger white triangles pointing away from the middle. In the middle of each edge the white square and triangles together form a mountain shape.

First quilt idea

Quilt suggestions

For a basic quilt I have shown four blocks sewn together in two rows of two. I love that red diamond that forms in the middle – an interesting quilt.

Second quilt idea

My idea for a second quilt is more of a lap quilt. I have simply used one block but surrounded it with three borders to make it really stand out.

Here’s the video:

Thanks for visiting my blog.

Hope to see you again soon.

Rose

Filed Under: Blog, Quilt Block Patterns, Tutorials Tagged: free quilt block patterns, meeting house quilt block, meetinghouse quilt block

Friendship Bouquet Wall Hanging Pattern

Posted on December 15, 2017 Written by Rose

Friendship bouquet wall hanging

The Friendship Bouquet quilt block was a request. It is such a pretty block that I decided to make four of them to form a wall hanging. At first glance it looks quite a complicated block, but as usual it is far more simple when you look at it in small sections. I also liked the name of the block – warm and friendly for this time of year.

The wall hanging measures 26″ square and I used four blocks which are 11″ square finished size. I needed 1/2 yard of purple batik together with 1/4 yard each of yellow, gold, green and lilac.

Completed friendship bouquet quilt block

Cutting requirements for the friendship bouquet wall hanging

5.7/8″ squares: four purple

3,3/4″ by 6.1/8″ rectangles: four yellow – cut these with fabric folded in two layers

3.3/8″ squares: twelve yellow

2.7/8″ squares: twenty four purple

1.1/2″ by 4.1/2″ rectangles: eight gold, eight lilac

5.1/2″ by 1.1/2″ rectangles: eight gold

9.1/2″ by 1.1/2″ rectangles: four gold

11.1/2″ by 1.1/2″ rectangles: four gold

For the border you will need to cut three 2.1/2″ strips of green across the width of fabric.

Add a triangle on each edge

Make the diamond in square sections

Cut the 2.7/8″ purple squares across one diagonal to make two triangles from each squares. Place one triangle on each edge of the 3.3/8″ yellow squares.

Sew triangles two at a time

Sew the triangles to the squares two at a time. On the left of the photo you can see the side triangles sewn in place. The right hand part of the photo shows those two triangles pressed open.

Add the next pair of triangles

Now the two triangles at top and bottom can be sewn to the squares.

Trim the triangle ends sticking out in the middle of each edge and trim the entire block to 4.1/2″ square. Make twelve of these blocks.

Make the cone section

The handle or grip of the bouquet is formed by sewing two triangles to a 5.7/8″ square of purple fabric.

Forming the handle of the bouquet

Cut the yellow rectangles along one diagonal to make two triangles from each rectangle. Make sure that the fabric is folded in half the way it comes from the shop with wrong sides together. This because for each block you need two triangles which are mirror images of each other.

Lay one of each triangle on the purple square, matching two edges with the edges of the square. At this stage the triangles are right side up. This is how you can check that you have the right triangle in each position.

Now flip one of the triangles so that it is right sides together with the purple square. The top of the triangle should just stick out above the square while the bottom of the triangle should just stick out from the corner of the square. Sew the triangle in place and cut off the excess purple triangle to the left of the seam.

Add the second triangle

I did try marking a chalk line along the edge of the triangle before I flipped it, but it didn’t really work for me. You may find that helpful. I found that making the edges of the triangle stick out a little at each end gave me the best position for the triangle before I sewed it. These cones will not be beside each other in the finished wall hanging so it doesn’t matter if they are not exactly the same as each other.

Add the second triangle

Press the triangle open and lay the second triangle in place. From left to right in the photo you can see the second triangle placed in position, the excess purple triangle cut off and then the final cone section completed.

Trim these cone sections to 5.1/2″ square and make four of them.

Make half square triangle units

There aren’t many half square triangles in this block! Place a lilac 1.7/8″ square right sides together with a gold square.

Mark a line along the diagonal and sew a 1/4″ seam either side of the marked line. Cut along the line to produce two half square triangle units. Press the seam allowances towards the gold fabric and trim the block to 1.1/2″ square if necessary.

First part of layout

Assemble the friendship bouquet quilt block

For each block you need one cone section and three diamond in a square sections.

Place a lilac 4.1/2″ strip between the top two diamond in a square blocks. Place one lilac strip above the bottom diamond in a square.

Make two rows

Sew the top three sections together to form one row. Sew the lilac section to the bottom diamond in a square. Then you can sew the cone section to the side to form another row.

Sew the rows to each other.

Top and bottom of the frame

Add the outer frame

Make the outer frame of the friendship bouquet quilt block with 1.1/2″ gold strips and the half square triangle units.

For the top of the frame place a 4.1/2″ gold strip either side of a half square triangle. Check the photo to make sure which way to place the half square triangle.

Add a 9.1/2″ gold strip to the bottom of the block.

Sides of the frame

The sides of the frame are formed in a similar way.

For the right hand side place a 5.1/2″ gold strip either side of a half square triangle unit. Sew these together and then sew them to the block. Add an 11.1/2″ gold strip to the left hand side of the block.

That completes the friendship bouquet quilt block. Make four of these and trim them to 11.1/2″ square.

Rotate the blocks

Assemble the friendship bouquet wall hanging

Lay the blocks out in two rows of two. Rotate the blocks so that the cone always points into the corner. You’ll also see the lilac square frame form around the middle of the wall hanging. Sew the blocks together in pairs and then sew the pairs to each other.

Add the border

For the border I have used 2.1/2″ strips of a green batik fabric to suggest leaves.

You’ll need two lengths of 22.1/2″ for the top and bottom and two lengths of 26.1/2″ for the sides.

That completes the friendship bouquet wall hanging. It is now ready for layering, quilting and binding. Full details of these steps can be found in the beginner quilting section.

Here’s the video:

I am sure that you are very busy and won’t want to hear from me over the next week or two so I will not be posting another quilt pattern for two Fridays during the festive season. My next full pattern will appear on Friday 5th January 2018 when I’ll be posting a new pattern and holding a new year sale.

So it just remains for me to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas followed by a happy and healthy new year. Thanks for your interest and support for my website over the course of the year.

Filed Under: Blog, Quilt Block Patterns, quilted wall hanging patterns, Tutorials Tagged: friendship bouquet quilt block, friendship bouquet wall hanging, quilted wall hangings

Large Daisy Quilt Block Pattern

Posted on December 12, 2017 Written by Rose

Large daisy quilt block

The Large Daisy quilt block probably has several names, but I couldn’t find any so I have named it myself. It really does look like a bright and cheerful daisy to me. It is classified as an eight patch block, which is not as common as four or nine patch blocks. I have made it here as a 24″ square so I won’t have too much to add to it to make a small Linus quilt.

Cutting requirements for the large daisy quilt block

3.1/2″ squares: twenty red, sixteen white

9.1/2″ by 3.1/2″ rectangles: four white

3.7/8″ squares: eight red, eight white

Make half square triangles

Make the half square triangle units

Use all the 3.7/8″ squares to make half square triangle units. Place a red and a white square with right sides together and mark a line along the diagonal.

Sew a 1/4″ seam either side of the marked line and cut along the line. This will produce two half square triangle units which are now 3.1/2″ squares. Trim the two corners where fabric sticks out.

Make the large daisy quilt block

Layout for each quarter

I found it most simple to make this block in quarters and then just sew the quarters together. Lay the squares out in four rows of four squares.

The first row contains a red, white then red square with a half square triangle at the end.

Row two is made with white, red, white squares followed by a half square triangle.

For the third row you need only one red square and one white rectangle.

Finally the fourth row is made with two half square triangles followed by a white and a red square.

Completed quarter block

Note that the two red triangles at the top form a larger red triangle pointing to the left while the two red triangles at the bottom form a larger red triangle pointing upwards.

Sew the squares together across each row and then sew the rows to each other to complete the quarter block. This measures 12.1/2″ square at this stage and you need to make four of them.

Large daisy quilt block layout

Assemble the large daisy quilt block

Rotate the quarter blocks so that there is a red square in each corner and those three red squares form a diagonal across each corner. Check that the pairs of red triangles now combine to form diamonds and that there are four red squares in the middle.

Sew the quarters together in two pairs and then sew the pairs to each other.

Basic large daisy quilt

Large daisy quilt design ideas

For the basic quilt suggestion I have shown nine blocks sewn together in three rows of three. I have added a green border and this makes a bright and cheerful quilt.

Alternate design

However I felt that it might look better if the blocks were separated a little so that they showed the block design more. I added green sashing (leaves?) and I like this quilt design better.

Here’s the video:

Thanks for visiting my blog.

I hope to see you again soon.

Rose

Filed Under: Blog, Quilt Block Patterns, Tutorials Tagged: floral quilt blocks, large daisy quilt block, large daisy quilt block pattern

Salem Quilt Block – Free Pattern

Posted on November 13, 2017 Written by Rose

Salem quilt block

I love the Salem quilt block – such a pretty block and really very easy to make. It’s classified as a nine patch block and I’ve made it here as an 18″ square finished size. I was curious as to the history of the block but couldn’t find any information about it.

Cutting requirements for the Salem quilt block

3.7/8″ squares: four each in blue and white, ten each in purple and white

3.1/2″ squares: eight white

Make half square triangle

Make half square triangles

Use all the 3.7/8″ squares to make half square triangle units. Place a white square right sides together with either a blue or a purple square. Mark a line along one diagonal and sew a 1/4″ seam either side of the marked line.

Cut along the line to produce two half square triangle units. Press the seam allowances away from the white and trim the two corners where fabric sticks out.

Corner four patch units

Make the Salem quilt block

This block is best constructed as a series of four patch units.

Make the unit for the corners with two white squares and two blue/white half square triangle units. Sew the squares together in pairs and then sew the pairs together. This is now a 6.1/2″ square and you need to make four of these.

Central block

Make the central unit with four purple/white half square triangles. Place them so that the white triangles are all in the middle, forming a white diamond.

Once again sew the squares together in pairs and then sew the pairs to each other. You need to make just one of this unit.

Remaining 4 patch unit

The remaining four patch units are also made with four purple/white half square triangles

This time place them so that the top two form a larger white triangle pointing down while the bottom two form a larger purple triangle pointing down. Make four of this unit.

Salem quilt block layout

Assemble the Salem quilt block

Lay the units out in three rows of three. Place blue/white units in each corner, the white diamond in the middle and the other purple/white units on each edge of the central unit. Note that the purple V shape always points towards the middle.

Sew the squares together across each row and then sew the rows to each other to complete the block.

Basic Salem quilt suggestion

Quilt suggestions

For the basic quilt suggestion I have shown nine blocks sewn together in three rows of three.

This makes an interesting quilt – I like the way the blue border blends with the blue triangles around the edge.

Alternative quilt suggestion

As an alternative, I reversed the colours in four of the blocks. This gives a similar quilt but I felt that this was a more interesting design.

Thanks for visiting my blog.

I hope to see you again soon.

Rose

Here’s the video:

Filed Under: Blog, Quilt Block Patterns, Tutorials Tagged: nine patch quilt blocks, salem quilt block, salem quilt block pattern

Ducks Foot in the Mud Quilt Block Pattern

Posted on October 30, 2017 Written by Rose

Ducks foot in the mus quilt block

The name Ducks Foot in the Mud quilt block conjures up lovely images of a duck’s foot (or any foot) going splat in the mud. I just had to make this one. I’ve made it here as a rather large 21″ square.

It’s a traditional block, classified as a five patch.

Cutting requirements for the Ducks foot in the mud quilt block

6.1/2″ squares: four turquoise

6.1/2″ by 3.1/2″ rectangles: four blue

3.1/2″ squares: nine white

3.7/8″ squares: eight dark green, eight white

Make half square triangles

Make the half square triangles

Use the 3.7/8″ squares to make half square triangle units. Place a dark green and a white square with right sides together. Mark a line along the diagonal and sew a 1/4″ seam either side of the marked line. Cut along the line to produce two half square triangles.

Press the seam allowances towards the green and trim the two corners where fabric sticks out.

Make the Ducks foot in the mud quilt block

Ducks foot in the mud quilt block layout

I had intended to show you this block in quarters but in fact it’s such a simple layout that I’ll just show the entire layout at once.

Across the top and bottom rows there are white squares in the middle and at each end. Between these place a pair of half square triangle units. In each pair the triangles are placed the same way as each other. I found that the easiest way to get the placement right was to make a butterfly shape around each white corner square. Then it was easy to check the placement of all the other triangles.

In the second and fourth rows place a pair of half square triangles at each end with a turquoise square inside them. Place the blue rectangle in the middle vertically.

The middle row contains a white square at each end and in the middle. Between these place two blue rectangles horizontally.

Rows one, three and five can be sewn together easily. For rows two and four you’ll need to sew the half square triangles together in pairs first and then sew the patchwork together across the rows. Finally sew all the rows to each other to complete the Ducks foot in the mud quilt block.

Basic quilt suggestion

Ducks foot in the mud quilt suggestions

I’ve made the basic quilt using nine blocks sewn together in three rows of three. This layout forms lots of lovely shapes that form a grid around the turquoise and blue squares.

Alternate quilt design

As an alternate quilt idea, I have added an alternate block made with 3.1/2″ squares of blue, turquoise and dark green.

I’m rather taken with this design. I like the diamonds formed by the dark green squares.

Here’s the video:

Thanks for visiting my blog.

I hope to see you again soon.

Rose

Filed Under: Blog, Quilt Block Patterns, Tutorials Tagged: ducks foot in the mud quilt block pattern, ducks foot in the mus quilt block, five patch quilt blocks

Friendship Chain Quilt Block Pattern

Posted on October 10, 2017 Written by Rose

Friendship chain quilt block

I’ve made the Friendship Chain quilt block as a 12″ square finished size. The block makes up easily – pretty in its own right and also useful as an autograph quilt block. Use the diamonds in the middle of each block for signatures.

The block is made entirely with half square triangles.

Cutting requirements for the friendship chain quilt block

3.7/8″ squares: eight blue, eight white

Make half square triangles

Make the half square triangle units

Use all the squares to make half square triangle units. Place a blue and a white square right sides together and mark a line along the diagonal. Sew a 1/4″ seam either side of the marked line and cut along the line. This produces two half square triangle units which are now 3.1/2″ squares. Trim the two corners where fabric sticks out. This helps reduce bulk in the seams.

Outer frame

Make the friendship chain quilt block

I’m showing the outer frame first because I think it’s much clearer to see how this frame is laid out when there’s nothing else to distract your eye.

Place the squares with the blue triangles forming larger triangles. Lay one pair on the top with the blue triangle pointing up, another at the bottom with the blue triangle pointing down. Down each side place two pairs of squares with the larger blue triangles pointing in towards the middle.

Friendship chain quilt block layout

Now add the four squares in the middle. Place these so that the white triangles form a diamond.

Sew the squares across each row and then sew the rows to each other to complete the block.

Basic quilt

Friendship Chain quilt ideas

The basic quilt shown here uses sixteen blocks laid out in four rows of four.

This makes a 48″ square quilt (without the borders).

Use red for alternate blocks

As an alternative I tried making alternate blocks with red instead of blue. This definitely makes a more interesting quilt.

Thanks for visiting my blog.

I hope to see you again soon.

Rose

Here’s the video:

Filed Under: Blog, Quilt Block Patterns, Tutorials Tagged: autograph quilt blocks, friendship chain quilt block, friendship chain quilt block pattern

Thrifty Quilt Block Pattern and Tutorial

Posted on October 2, 2017 Written by Rose

Thrifty quilt block

The Thrifty quilt block is incredibly easy to make, but I rather like the three dimensional effect. To me it looks as though there is a large pink square behind the brown squares. It’s a traditional nine patch block that is attributed to the Kansas City Star company. I’ve made it here as a 12″ square finished size.

Cutting requirements for the thrifty quilt block

2.1/2″ squares: eight pink, eight white

4.1/2″ squares: four brown, one pink

Thrifty quilt block layout

Make the thrifty quilt block

Lay the patchwork pieces out in a series of nine patch units and plain squares.

In each corner place a four patch unit made with two pink and two white 2.1/2″ squares. Make sure that the pink squares always lie along the diagonals, with the white squares in the other positions.

Place a 4.1/2″ square in the middle with a brown square on each edge of the central square.

Sew the 4 patch units first

Sew the small squares together within each four patch unit.

This makes all the squares the same size, so that you now have three rows of three squares. Sew the squares together across each row and then sew the rows to each other to complete the thrifty quilt block.

Basic quilt idea

Thrifty quilt design suggestions

For the basic quilt idea I have shown sixteen blocks sewn together in four rows of four. Interestingly, it now looks as though the pink and white squares are the main block, rather than the brown and pink squares.

Alternate quilt design

In order to break the blocks up a bit, I then tried adding a large pinwheel as an alternate block.

I like this design far better – lots more to look at within the quilt.

Thanks for visiting my blog.

I hope to see you again soon.

Rose

Here’s the video:

Filed Under: Blog, Quilt Block Patterns, Tutorials Tagged: nine patch quilt blocks, thrifty quilt block, thrifty quilt block pattern

Porto Rico Quilt Block Pattern

Posted on September 26, 2017 Written by Rose

Porto Rico quilt block

I’ve changed the colours slightly to make my own version of the Porto Rico quilt block. Red, white and blue blocks are always very cheerful looking and I think that this one is a particularly happy looking block. The finished size is 16″ square.

Cutting requirements for the porto rico quilt block

2.1/2″ squares: two white, eight red, ten blue

4.7/8″ squares: three blue, three red, four white

5.1/4″ squares: one white

Make four patch units

Make the four patch units

If I was making several blocks I would use strip piecing for the four patch units, but as I’m only making one block I have just used individual squares.

Place the 2.1/2″ squares in fours with the blue squares diagonally opposite each other. Sew the squares together in pairs and then sew the pairs to each other. You need to make five units in blue/red and one unit in blue/white.

Add triangles to the square

Make the central section

Cut the 5.1/4″ white square along both diagonals to make four triangles. Place one triangle on each edge of the blue/white four patch unit. Sew the triangles to the top and bottom. Press these open and then sew the two side triangles in place.

Cut one blue and one red 4.7/8″ square along one diagonal to make two triangles from each square.

Add the blue and red triangles

Lay these triangles on the edges of the central section. With the blue small squares running vertically, lay the two blue triangles on the sides and the two red triangles on the top and bottom.

Trim the middle of the edges

As before, sew the top and bottom triangles on first, press open and then sew the side (blue) triangles in place. This completes the central section of the Porto Rico quilt block.

In this section and in the previous stage where you added white triangles, you need to trim the middle of the edges where the triangle tips stick out.

Make half square triangle units

For the outer frame you need half square triangle units. Use the remaining 4.7/8″ squares. Place a white square with either a red or a blue square, right sides together. Mark a line along the diagonal and sew a 1/4″ seam either side of the marked line. Cut along the line to produce two half square triangle units. These are now 4.1/2″ squares. Press the seam allowances towards the red or blue fabric and trim the two corners where fabric sticks out.

Add the half square triangle units

Complete the layout for the Porto Rico quilt block

Place a red/white and a blue/white half square triangle on each edge of the central square. Note that I have placed the central section so that the two small blue squares run from bottom left to top right.

On the top the half square triangles are placed red then blue. On the right hand side they are placed blue then red. Basically each red triangle on the outer frame should lie against a blue triangle in the inner section.

Add the corner units

Add the remaining four patch units to form the corners of the block. place these so that the blue squares always run from bottom left to top right.

Make three rows

Sew the patchwork pieces together across the top row and the bottom row. For the middle section you will need to sew the half square triangles to each other first and then sew the pieces across the row.

You should end up with three rows. Sew the rows to each other to complete the Porto Rico quilt block.

Basic quilt design

For the basic quilt suggestion I have used nine blocks sewn together in three rows of three.

This makes one of those quilts that look a lot more complicated than they really are.

Using alternate blocks

I tried using an alternate block but didn’t feel that this was terribly interesting.

Using rotated blocks

I know that it doesn’t look much different, but for my third effort I tried rotating alternate blocks. For some reason that I can’t explain, this one seemed a brighter quilt and I liked it best of the three designs.

Here’s the video:

Thanks for visiting my blog.

I hope to see you again soon.

Rose

Filed Under: Blog, Quilt Block Patterns, Tutorials Tagged: porto rico quilt block, porto rico quilt block pattern, red white and blue quilt blocks

Jackson Star Quilt Block Pattern

Posted on September 11, 2017 Written by Rose

Jackson star quilt block

The Jackson star quilt block is a beauty. I’ve made it in blues because I like blues, although it is more traditionally made in greens. It’s classified as an eight patch block and I have made it here as a 24″ square finished size.

Cutting requirements for the Jackson star quilt block

3.1/2″ squares: eight white, twelve dark blue, four light blue

3.7/8″ squares: twelve each in dark blue and white, four each in light blue and white

6.1/2″ by 3.1/2″ rectangles: four white

Make half square triangles

Make the half square triangles

Use the 3.7/8″ squares to make half square triangle units. Place a white square right sides together with a dark blue or light blue square and mark a line along the diagonal. Sew a 1/4″ seam either side of the marked line and cut along the line. This will produce two half square triangle units which are now 3.1/2″ squares.

Press the seam allowances towards the blue triangles and trim the two corners where fabric sticks out.

Central part of layout

Make the Jackson star quilt block

I’ve shown the central part of the block first, using two white rectangles for the central square. You could use a 6.1/2″ square or four 3.1/2″ squares if you prefer. On each edge of this square place a pair of light blue/white half square triangles. Note that the two white triangles together make a larger white triangle pointing towards the middle. In each corner of this section place a 3.1/2″ light blue square.

For the first frame around the central area place a pair of dark blue/white half square triangles outside the existing light blue/white half square triangles. Place them so that the four white triangles now form a diamond. On either side of the half square triangles lay two dark blue squares. Use this layout on each edge of the central area.

In the outer frame place a white rectangle in the middle of the top and bottom rows, with two white squares in the middle of each side. On each side of these place a pair of dark blue/white half square triangles. Place these so that the white triangles form larger triangles pointing in towards the middle. Lay a white square in each corner of the block.

Sew the squares together across each row and then sew the rows to each other to complete the Jackson star quilt block.

Basic quilt design

For quilt ideas I have shown a basic Jackson star quilt using four blocks in two rows of two.

Alternate design

As an alternative design, I have used just one block but added three borders to it.

Here’s the video:

Thanks for visiting my blog.

I hope to see you again soon.

Rose

Filed Under: Blog, Quilt Block Patterns, Tutorials Tagged: jackson star quilt block, jackson star quilt block patterns, star quilt block patterns

Big T Quilt Block – Free Big Block Pattern

Posted on August 29, 2017 Written by Rose

Big T quilt block

I have made the Big T quilt block as an 18″ square. There are quite a few blocks named T but this is a particularly pretty one in my view. It is a very simple block to make and looks more difficult than it is.

Cutting requirements for the Big T quilt block

6.1/2″ squares: one blue

6.7/8″ squares: two blue, two white

3.7/8″ squares: four blue, four white

3.1/2″ by 6.1/2″ rectangles: four white

Make the half square triangle units

Make half square triangles

You need to make half square triangles with both the 3.7/8″ and the 6.7/8″ squares. Place a blue and a white square with right sides together and mark a line along the diagonal. Sew a 1/4″ seam either side of the marked line and cut along the line.

This gives you a pair of half square triangles. They are either 3.1/2″ square or 6.1/2″ square. Press the seams towards the blue and trim the two corners where the fabric sticks out.

Big T quilt block layout

Make the Big T quilt block

The layout for this block is so simple that I’ll show you the full layout without any steps on the way.

Place the 6.1/2″ blue square in the middle with a white rectangle on each edge.

In each corner place a large blue/white half square triangle with the white on the outside forming the corner of the block.

Outside each white rectangle place two small half square triangles. Place these so that the two white triangles side by side form a larger white triangle pointing in towards the middle.

In order to sew the block together, first sew the small half square triangles together in pairs and sew this pair to the white rectangle inside it. You now have three rows of patchwork pieces which are simple to sew together. Sew the rows to each other to complete the Big T quilt block.

Basic Big T quilt design

Quilt Ideas

For the basic quilt idea I have shown nine blocks sewn together in three rows of three. Considering how easy the block is to make, I think that the quilt looks satisfyingly complicated. It’s a good one to impress non-quilters!

Alternate quilt design

For an alternate design I have used a block made using half square triangles. For these I made half square triangles from 9.7/8″ squares.

I think that this is one of the rare occasions when I actually prefer the basic quilt design to the alternate.

Here’s the video:

Thanks for visiting my blog.

I hope to see you again soon.

Rose

Filed Under: Blog, Quilt Block Patterns, Tutorials Tagged: big t quilt block, big t quilt block pattern