Quilt block · Five-patch · Advanced
Strips and Squares quilt block
Background squares are framed by dark strips with medium squares where the strips cross, in a ten-by-ten grid.
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
44 squares
- A44 squares 1⅛″then cut with template A
Dark · Navy in the picture
40 strip squares
- A40 squares 1⅛″then cut with template A
Medium · Denim in the picture
16 crossing squares
- A16 squares 1⅛″then cut with template A
Between the lines. Strips and Squares 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
44 squares
- A44 squares 1½″then cut with template A
Dark · Navy in the picture
40 strip squares
- A40 squares 1½″then cut with template A
Medium · Denim in the picture
16 crossing squares
- A16 squares 1½″then cut with template A
Between the lines. Strips and Squares 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
44 squares
- A44 squares 1¾″then cut with template A
Dark · Navy in the picture
40 strip squares
- A40 squares 1¾″then cut with template A
Medium · Denim in the picture
16 crossing squares
- A16 squares 1¾″then cut with template A
Between the lines. Strips and Squares 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.
- Sew the pieces into 10 rows
Lay out the pieces as in the picture and sew them into 10 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 10 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.
- Sew the pieces into 10 rows
Lay out the pieces as in the picture and sew them into 10 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 10 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.
- Sew the pieces into 10 rows
Lay out the pieces as in the picture and sew them into 10 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 10 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
More like this: 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 10 sections (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I and J), 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: 100 pieces in 1 shape. Practise the hard seams on scraps first. We work the level out from the block’s own geometry, never by eye.