Quilt block · Logs and strips · Beginner
Chinese Coins quilt block
Two columns of stacked coins, short strips in four fabrics, set between plain light strips. Also called Coin Quilt.
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
- A2 rectangles 6½″ × 1⅞″then cut with template A
- B1 rectangle 6½″ × 1¼″then cut with template B
Dark · Navy in the picture
5 coins
- C5 rectangles 1⅞″ × 1¼″then cut with template C
Medium · Denim in the picture
4 coins
- C4 rectangles 1⅞″ × 1¼″then cut with template C
Light · Powder Blue in the picture
4 coins
- C4 rectangles 1⅞″ × 1¼″then cut with template C
Accent · Apricot in the picture
5 coins
- C5 rectangles 1⅞″ × 1¼″then cut with template C
Between the lines. Chinese Coins cuts cleanly at 4½″ or 9″. At 6″ its rectangles are ⅔″ wide, 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
- A2 rectangles 9½″ × 2½″
- B1 rectangle 9½″ × 1½″
Dark · Navy in the picture
5 coins
- C5 rectangles 2½″ × 1½″
Medium · Denim in the picture
4 coins
- C4 rectangles 2½″ × 1½″
Light · Powder Blue in the picture
4 coins
- C4 rectangles 2½″ × 1½″
Accent · Apricot in the picture
5 coins
- C5 rectangles 2½″ × 1½″
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
- A2 rectangles 12½″ × 3¼″then cut with template A
- B1 rectangle 12½″ × 1⅞″then cut with template B
Dark · Navy in the picture
5 coins
- C5 rectangles 3¼″ × 1⅞″then cut with template C
Medium · Denim in the picture
4 coins
- C4 rectangles 3¼″ × 1⅞″then cut with template C
Light · Powder Blue in the picture
4 coins
- C4 rectangles 3¼″ × 1⅞″then cut with template C
Accent · Apricot in the picture
5 coins
- C5 rectangles 3¼″ × 1⅞″then cut with template C
Between the lines. Chinese Coins cuts cleanly at 9″ or 13½″. At 12″ its rectangles are 1⅓″ wide, 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.
- Sew the pieces into 5 columns
Lay out the pieces as in the picture and sew them into 5 columns. Press the seams in column 1 up, column 2 down, and so on, so they nest when the columns are joined.
- Join the columns
Join the 5 columns, 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.
- Sew the pieces into 5 columns
Lay out the pieces as in the picture and sew them into 5 columns. Press the seams in column 1 up, column 2 down, and so on, so they nest when the columns are joined.
- Join the columns
Join the 5 columns, 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.
- Sew the pieces into 5 columns
Lay out the pieces as in the picture and sew them into 5 columns. Press the seams in column 1 up, column 2 down, and so on, so they nest when the columns are joined.
- Join the columns
Join the 5 columns, 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
More like this: Log Cabin and strip quilt blocks · all quilt blocks
Questions
Short answers.
Something else? A real person replies.
hello@quarterinch.app
Is Chinese Coins the same block as Coin Quilt?
Usually, yes. Block names vary by region and by book, and the same block is often sold under several. Our library lists Coin Quilt as other name for this one, so a search for any of them finds it.
What size should I make it?
At 9″ every piece measures with a ruler. On its 9 × 9 grid, 6″ and 12″ put some pieces between the ⅛″ marks, so they need templates. It cuts cleanly at 9″ or 13½″.
Can I paper piece it?
Yes. It splits into 2 sections (A and B), 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 a good block for a beginner: 21 pieces in 3 different shapes. Nothing in it curves or has to be set in. We work the level out from the block’s own geometry, never by eye.