Quilt block · Seven-patch · Intermediate
Altar Steps quilt block
A plain cross of strips divides four corner units, each a dark square with two dark strips stepping down the diagonal beside it.
What to cut for one block
A 6″ finished block measures 6½″ before it’s sewn into a quilt. Each fabric’s yardage is the least that cuts its strips across the width of fabric, with a strip to spare for straightening.
Background · Snow in the picture
3 strips, 4 large triangles and 16 small triangles
- E4 squares 2⅜″then cut with template E
- B16 squares 1½″then cut with template B
- G1 rectangle 6½″ × 1⅜″then cut with template G
- F2 rectangles 3⅛″ × 1⅜″then cut with template F
Dark · Navy in the picture
4 corner squares and 8 strips
- D4 squares 3⅛″then cut with template D
- C4 squares 2⅜″then cut with template C
- A4 squares 1⅜″then cut with template A
Between the lines. Altar Steps cuts cleanly at 3½″ or 7″. At 6″ its half-square triangles' short sides are ⁶⁄₇″, so they need templates.
Worked out by @quarterinch/cutting · ¼″ seams included · strips cut across 42″ of usable width · the letters are the pieces the sewing steps name
A 9″ finished block measures 9½″ before it’s sewn into a quilt. Each fabric’s yardage is the least that cuts its strips across the width of fabric, with a strip to spare for straightening.
Background · Snow in the picture
3 strips, 4 large triangles and 16 small triangles
- E4 squares 3⅛″then cut with template E
- G1 rectangle 9½″ × 1⅞″then cut with template G
- F2 rectangles 4⅜″ × 1⅞″then cut with template F
- B16 squares 1⅞″then cut with template B
Dark · Navy in the picture
4 corner squares and 8 strips
- D4 squares 4½″then cut with template D
- C4 squares 3⅛″then cut with template C
- A4 squares 1⅞″then cut with template A
Between the lines. Altar Steps cuts cleanly at 7″ or 10½″. At 9″ its half-square triangles' short sides are 1²⁄₇″, so they need templates.
Worked out by @quarterinch/cutting · ¼″ seams included · strips cut across 42″ of usable width · the letters are the pieces the sewing steps name
A 12″ finished block measures 12½″ before it’s sewn into a quilt. Each fabric’s yardage is the least that cuts its strips across the width of fabric, with a strip to spare for straightening.
Background · Snow in the picture
3 strips, 4 large triangles and 16 small triangles
- E4 squares 4″then cut with template E
- B16 squares 2⅜″then cut with template B
- G1 rectangle 12½″ × 2¼″then cut with template G
- F2 rectangles 5¾″ × 2¼″then cut with template F
Dark · Navy in the picture
4 corner squares and 8 strips
- D4 squares 5¾″then cut with template D
- C4 squares 4″then cut with template C
- A4 squares 2¼″then cut with template A
Between the lines. Altar Steps cuts cleanly at 10½″ or 14″. At 12″ its half-square triangles' short sides are 1⁵⁄₇″, so they need templates.
Worked out by @quarterinch/cutting · ¼″ seams included · strips cut across 42″ of usable width · the letters are the pieces the sewing steps name
How it’s sewn
For the 6″ block. Choose another size above and these steps follow it.
- Add 8 corner triangles
Sew the Background B triangle across each corner in turn, along its long edge, and press toward the triangle.
- Add 4 corner triangles
Sew the Background E triangle across the corner, along its long edge, and press toward the triangle.
- Add 8 corner triangles
Sew the Background B triangle across each corner in turn, along its long edge, and press toward the triangle.
- Make 4 sections
Sew the two parts together along the diagonal seam. Press the seam to one side.
- Make 4 sections
Sew the two parts together along the diagonal seam. Press the seam to one side. Its size isn’t on the ⅛″ ruler at this block size, so sew it as cut and don’t trim it.
- Sew the units and pieces into 3 rows
Lay out the units and pieces as in the picture and sew them into 3 rows. Press the seams in row 1 to the left, row 2 to the right, and so on, so they nest when the rows are joined.
- Join the rows
Join the 3 rows, matching and nesting the seams where they meet. Press the long seams open or to one side. The block measures 6½″ (6″ finished).
For the 9″ block. Choose another size above and these steps follow it.
- Add 8 corner triangles
Sew the Background B triangle across each corner in turn, along its long edge, and press toward the triangle.
- Add 4 corner triangles
Sew the Background E triangle across the corner, along its long edge, and press toward the triangle.
- Add 8 corner triangles
Sew the Background B triangle across each corner in turn, along its long edge, and press toward the triangle.
- Make 4 sections
Sew the two parts together along the diagonal seam. Press the seam to one side.
- Make 4 sections
Sew the two parts together along the diagonal seam. Press the seam to one side. Its size isn’t on the ⅛″ ruler at this block size, so sew it as cut and don’t trim it.
- Sew the units and pieces into 3 rows
Lay out the units and pieces as in the picture and sew them into 3 rows. Press the seams in row 1 to the left, row 2 to the right, and so on, so they nest when the rows are joined.
- Join the rows
Join the 3 rows, matching and nesting the seams where they meet. Press the long seams open or to one side. The block measures 9½″ (9″ finished).
For the 12″ block. Choose another size above and these steps follow it.
- Add 8 corner triangles
Sew the Background B triangle across each corner in turn, along its long edge, and press toward the triangle.
- Add 4 corner triangles
Sew the Background E triangle across the corner, along its long edge, and press toward the triangle.
- Add 8 corner triangles
Sew the Background B triangle across each corner in turn, along its long edge, and press toward the triangle.
- Make 4 sections
Sew the two parts together along the diagonal seam. Press the seam to one side.
- Make 4 sections
Sew the two parts together along the diagonal seam. Press the seam to one side. Its size isn’t on the ⅛″ ruler at this block size, so sew it as cut and don’t trim it.
- Sew the units and pieces into 3 rows
Lay out the units and pieces as in the picture and sew them into 3 rows. Press the seams in row 1 to the left, row 2 to the right, and so on, so they nest when the rows are joined.
- Join the rows
Join the 3 rows, matching and nesting the seams where they meet. Press the long seams open or to one side. The block measures 12½″ (12″ finished).
Blocks like it
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Questions
Short answers.
Something else? A real person replies.
hello@quarterinch.app
What size should I make it?
On its 7 × 7 grid, 6″, 9″ and 12″ put some pieces between the ⅛″ marks, so they need templates. It cuts cleanly at 10½″ or 14″.
Can I paper piece it?
Yes. It splits into 5 sections (A, B, C, D and E), each sewn on its own paper in order and then joined with straight seams. In Quarter Inch, the Foundations tab prints its papers at true size (with Quilter).
Is it a good block for a beginner?
It’s an intermediate block: 35 pieces in 7 different shapes and 20 points to match. Take it slowly and pin the points. We work the level out from the block’s own geometry, never by eye.