Quilt block · Checks and chains · Intermediate
Five Patch quilt block
A nine-patch: a five-patch in each corner, a two-strip unit on each side, and a plain center.
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
The center square, 20 small squares and 4 strips
- D1 square 2½″
- B4 rectangles 2½″ × 1⅞″then cut with template B
- A20 squares 1¼″then cut with template A
Dark · Navy in the picture
4 strips
- C4 rectangles 2½″ × 1¼″then cut with template C
Medium · Denim in the picture
16 small squares
- A16 squares 1¼″then cut with template A
Between the lines. Five Patch cuts cleanly at 4½″ or 9″. At 6″ its squares are ⅔″, 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
The center square, 20 small squares and 4 strips
- D1 square 3½″
- B4 rectangles 3½″ × 2½″
- A20 squares 1½″
Dark · Navy in the picture
4 strips
- C4 rectangles 3½″ × 1½″
Medium · Denim in the picture
16 small squares
- A16 squares 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
The center square, 20 small squares and 4 strips
- D1 square 4½″
- B4 rectangles 4½″ × 3¼″then cut with template B
- A20 squares 1⅞″then cut with template A
Dark · Navy in the picture
4 strips
- C4 rectangles 4½″ × 1⅞″then cut with template C
Medium · Denim in the picture
16 small squares
- A16 squares 1⅞″then cut with template A
Between the lines. Five Patch cuts cleanly at 9″ or 13½″. At 12″ its squares are 1⅓″, 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.
- Make 4 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. Its size isn’t on the ⅛″ ruler at this block size, so sew it as cut and don’t trim it.
- Make 8 sections
Sew a Background A piece and a Medium A piece together in a column. Press the seams 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 5 rows
Lay out the units and pieces as in the picture and sew them into 5 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 5 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.
- Make 4 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).
- Make 8 sections, 1½″ × 2½″
Sew a Background A square and a Medium A square together in a column. Press the seams to one side. Each measures 1½″ × 2½″ (1″ × 2″ finished).
- Sew the units and pieces into 5 rows
Lay out the units and pieces as in the picture and sew them into 5 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 5 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.
- Make 4 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. Its size isn’t on the ⅛″ ruler at this block size, so sew it as cut and don’t trim it.
- Make 8 sections
Sew a Background A piece and a Medium A piece together in a column. Press the seams 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 5 rows
Lay out the units and pieces as in the picture and sew them into 5 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 5 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?
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 13 sections (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L and M), 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: 45 pieces in 4 different shapes. Take it slowly and check each piece against the list. We work the level out from the block’s own geometry, never by eye.