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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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Hope to see you again soon.
Rose