Quilt block · Four-patch · Intermediate

Foot Bridge quilt block

Two bridges of trapezoids and a dark strip run down the middle, between columns of sawtooth triangles along each side.

FamilyFour-patch
Grid24 × 24
Shapes5
Pieces32

What to cut for one block

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

16 triangles

  • B8 rectangles 3⅝″ × 3½″then cut with template B
  • D4 squares 3⅜″cut once on the diagonal
⅜ yd

Dark · Navy in the picture

2 strips and 10 triangles

  • B6 rectangles 3⅝″ × 3½″then cut with template B
  • A4 rectangles 3⅝″ × 2⅛″then cut with template A
  • E2 rectangles 6½″ × 1½″
⅜ yd

Medium · Denim in the picture

4 trapezoids

  • C4 rectangles 7¼″ × 3″trim both ends at 45°, from the corners of one long side
¼ yd

Templates. Pieces marked “cut with template” aren’t a shape a straight ruler cuts: cut the size given, then trim it to the template’s shape. Quarter Inch prints Foot Bridge’s templates at true size with Quilter.

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 12″ block. Choose another size above and these steps follow it.

  1. Add 2 corner triangles

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

  2. Add 4 corner triangles

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

  3. Add 2 corner triangles

    Sew the Dark B triangle across the corner, along its long edge, and press toward the triangle.

  4. Add 4 corner triangles

    Sew the Background D triangle across the corner, along its long edge, and press toward the triangle. Each measures 6½″ × 3″ (6″ × 2½″ finished).

  5. Add 2 corner triangles

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

  6. Add 2 corner triangles

    Sew the Dark B triangle across the corner, along its long edge, and press toward the triangle.

  7. Add 2 corner triangles

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

  8. Add 2 corner triangles

    Sew the Dark B triangle across the corner, along its long edge, and press toward the triangle.

  9. Add 2 corner triangles

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

  10. Sew the units and pieces into 3 columns

    Lay out the units and pieces as in the picture and sew them into 3 columns. Press the seams in column 1 up, column 2 down, and so on, so they nest when the columns are joined.

  11. Join the columns

    Join the 3 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: Four-patch quilt blocks · all quilt blocks

Questions

Short answers.

Something else? A real person replies.

hello@quarterinch.app

What size should I make it?

Its 24 × 24 grid lands on the ⅛″ marks at 6″, 9″ and 12″, so every piece measures with a ruler at all three. It also cuts cleanly at 15″ and 18″. In Quarter Inch you can make it any size, and it says when a cut falls between the lines.

Can I paper piece it?

Yes. It splits into 4 sections (A, B, C and D), 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: 32 pieces in 5 different shapes and 18 points to match. Take it slowly and pin the points. We work the level out from the block’s own geometry, never by eye.

Design with Foot Bridge, free

Open it in Quarter Inch at any size, in a layout of your own and in your own colors.

Start designing free