Fifty-Four Forty or Fight quilt 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.

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.

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.

Worked out by @quarterinch/cutting · ¼″ seams included · strips cut across 42″ of usable width · the letters are the pieces the sewing steps name

For the 6″ block. Choose another size above and these steps follow it.

1. Make 5 four-patch units

   Sew the squares in pairs and press each pair’s seam toward the darker square. Join the pairs, turning one so the seams nest, and press the long seam open. Each measures 2½″ (2″ finished).

2. Add 4 corner triangles

   Sew the Background C triangle across the corner, along its long edge, and press toward the triangle.

3. Add 4 corner triangles

   Sew the Background C triangle across the corner, along its long edge, and press toward the triangle. Each measures 2½″ (2″ finished).

4. Sew the units into 3 rows

   Lay out the units 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.

5. 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.

1. Make 5 four-patch units

   Sew the squares in pairs and press each pair’s seam toward the darker square. Join the pairs, turning one so the seams nest, and press the long seam open. Each measures 3½″ (3″ finished).

2. Add 4 corner triangles

   Sew the Background C triangle across the corner, along its long edge, and press toward the triangle.

3. Add 4 corner triangles

   Sew the Background C triangle across the corner, along its long edge, and press toward the triangle. Each measures 3½″ (3″ finished).

4. Sew the units into 3 rows

   Lay out the units 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.

5. 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.

1. Make 5 four-patch units

   Sew the squares in pairs and press each pair’s seam toward the darker square. Join the pairs, turning one so the seams nest, and press the long seam open. Each measures 4½″ (4″ finished).

2. Add 4 corner triangles

   Sew the Background C triangle across the corner, along its long edge, and press toward the triangle.

3. Add 4 corner triangles

   Sew the Background C triangle across the corner, along its long edge, and press toward the triangle. Each measures 4½″ (4″ finished).

4. Sew the units into 3 rows

   Lay out the units 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.

5. 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).