Quilt block · Checks and chains · Advanced
Ozark Trail quilt block
A ten-by-ten of squares and half-square triangle units, the darks winding across the block like a trail.
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
26 squares and 12 triangles
- B12 squares 1¾″then cut with template B
- A26 squares 1⅛″then cut with template A
Dark · Navy in the picture
26 squares and 12 triangles
- B12 squares 1¾″then cut with template B
- A26 squares 1⅛″then cut with template A
Between the lines. Ozark Trail cuts cleanly at 5″ or 7½″. At 6″ its squares are ³⁄₅″, 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
26 squares and 12 triangles
- B12 squares 2⅜″then cut with template B
- A26 squares 1½″then cut with template A
Dark · Navy in the picture
26 squares and 12 triangles
- B12 squares 2⅜″then cut with template B
- A26 squares 1½″then cut with template A
Between the lines. Ozark Trail cuts cleanly at 7½″ or 10″. At 9″ its squares are ⁹⁄₁₀″, 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
26 squares and 12 triangles
- B12 squares 3″then cut with template B
- A26 squares 1¾″then cut with template A
Dark · Navy in the picture
26 squares and 12 triangles
- B12 squares 3″then cut with template B
- A26 squares 1¾″then cut with template A
Between the lines. Ozark Trail cuts cleanly at 10″ or 12½″. At 12″ its squares are 1¹⁄₅″, 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 13 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 12 half-square triangle units
Sew a Background B triangle to a Dark B triangle along their long edges. Press toward the Dark. 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 into 5 rows
Lay out the units 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 13 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 12 half-square triangle units
Sew a Background B triangle to a Dark B triangle along their long edges. Press toward the Dark. 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 into 5 rows
Lay out the units 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 13 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 12 half-square triangle units
Sew a Background B triangle to a Dark B triangle along their long edges. Press toward the Dark. 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 into 5 rows
Lay out the units 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).
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Questions
Short answers.
Something else? A real person replies.
hello@quarterinch.app
What size should I make it?
On its 10 × 10 grid, 6″, 9″ and 12″ put some pieces between the ⅛″ marks, so they need templates. It cuts cleanly at 10″ or 12½″.
Can I paper piece it?
Yes. It splits into 26 sections (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y and Z), 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 advanced block: 76 pieces in 2 different shapes and 10 points to match. Practise the hard seams on scraps first. We work the level out from the block’s own geometry, never by eye.