Quilt block · Checks and chains · Intermediate
Puss in the Corner quilt block
A nine-patch with a four-patch and a small square in each corner unit, two-strip units on the sides and a plain dark center. Also called Kitty Corner.
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
12 rectangles
- D4 rectangles 2½″ × 1¼″then cut with template D
- B8 rectangles 1⅞″ × 1¼″then cut with template B
Dark · Navy in the picture
13 squares
- E1 square 2½″
- A12 squares 1¼″then cut with template A
Medium · Denim in the picture
8 squares and 4 rectangles
- C4 rectangles 2½″ × 1⅞″then cut with template C
- A8 squares 1¼″then cut with template A
Between the lines. Puss in the Corner 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
12 rectangles
- D4 rectangles 3½″ × 1½″
- B8 rectangles 2½″ × 1½″
Dark · Navy in the picture
13 squares
- E1 square 3½″
- A12 squares 1½″
Medium · Denim in the picture
8 squares and 4 rectangles
- C4 rectangles 3½″ × 2½″
- A8 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
12 rectangles
- D4 rectangles 4½″ × 1⅞″then cut with template D
- B8 rectangles 3¼″ × 1⅞″then cut with template B
Dark · Navy in the picture
13 squares
- E1 square 4½″
- A12 squares 1⅞″then cut with template A
Medium · Denim in the picture
8 squares and 4 rectangles
- C4 rectangles 4½″ × 3¼″then cut with template C
- A8 squares 1⅞″then cut with template A
Between the lines. Puss in the Corner 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 sections
Sew a Dark A piece and a Background B piece together in a row. 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.
- 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 4 rail units
Sew the Medium C and Background D rectangles together along their long edges. Press toward the Medium. Each measures 2½″ (2″ finished).
- Make 4 sections
Sew a Background B piece and a four-patch unit together in a row. Press toward the plain pieces. Its size isn’t on the ⅛″ ruler at this block size, so sew it as cut and don’t trim it.
- Make 4 sections, 2½″
Sew 2 sections together in a column. Press the seams to one side. Each measures 2½″ (2″ finished).
- Sew the units and pieces into 3 rows
Lay out the units and pieces 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.
- 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.
- Make 4 sections, 3½″ × 1½″
Sew a Dark A square and a Background B rectangle together in a row. Press the seams to one side. Each measures 3½″ × 1½″ (3″ × 1″ finished).
- 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 4 rail units
Sew the Medium C and Background D rectangles together along their long edges. Press toward the Medium. Each measures 3½″ (3″ finished).
- Make 4 sections, 3½″ × 2½″
Sew a Background B rectangle and a four-patch unit together in a row. Press toward the plain pieces. Each measures 3½″ × 2½″ (3″ × 2″ finished).
- Make 4 sections, 3½″
Sew 2 sections together in a column. Press the seams to one side. Each measures 3½″ (3″ finished).
- Sew the units and pieces into 3 rows
Lay out the units and pieces 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.
- 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.
- Make 4 sections
Sew a Dark A piece and a Background B piece together in a row. 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.
- 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 4 rail units
Sew the Medium C and Background D rectangles together along their long edges. Press toward the Medium. Each measures 4½″ (4″ finished).
- Make 4 sections
Sew a Background B piece and a four-patch unit together in a row. Press toward the plain pieces. Its size isn’t on the ⅛″ ruler at this block size, so sew it as cut and don’t trim it.
- Make 4 sections, 4½″
Sew 2 sections together in a column. Press the seams to one side. Each measures 4½″ (4″ finished).
- Sew the units and pieces into 3 rows
Lay out the units and pieces 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.
- 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).
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Questions
Short answers.
Something else? A real person replies.
hello@quarterinch.app
Is Puss in the Corner the same block as Kitty Corner?
Usually, yes. Block names vary by region and by book, and the same block is often sold under several. Our library lists Kitty Corner 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 11 sections (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J and K), 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: 37 pieces in 5 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.