Quilt block · Checks and chains · Intermediate
Single Chain and Knot quilt block
A five-by-five of squares with a small four-patch in each corner, the dark squares tying an X through a light ground.
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
16 large squares and 8 small ones
- A16 squares 1¾″then cut with template A
- B8 squares 1⅛″then cut with template B
Dark · Navy in the picture
5 large squares and 8 small ones
- A5 squares 1¾″then cut with template A
- B8 squares 1⅛″then cut with template B
Between the lines. Single Chain and Knot 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
16 large squares and 8 small ones
- A16 squares 2⅜″then cut with template A
- B8 squares 1½″then cut with template B
Dark · Navy in the picture
5 large squares and 8 small ones
- A5 squares 2⅜″then cut with template A
- B8 squares 1½″then cut with template B
Between the lines. Single Chain and Knot 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
16 large squares and 8 small ones
- A16 squares 3″then cut with template A
- B8 squares 1¾″then cut with template B
Dark · Navy in the picture
5 large squares and 8 small ones
- A5 squares 3″then cut with template A
- B8 squares 1¾″then cut with template B
Between the lines. Single Chain and Knot 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 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.
- 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. 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 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.
- 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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More like this: Checks and chains quilt blocks · Five-patch quilt blocks · all quilt blocks
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 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 2 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.