Quilt block · Nine-patch · Intermediate
Turkey Tracks quilt block
Four dark squares, each with two pairs of long slim half-rectangle triangles reaching out like a turkey’s toes, sit around a sashing cross, all turning the same way. Also called Resolutions.
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
The center square, 4 corner squares, 4 sashing strips and 16 long triangles
- A4 squares 1⅞″then cut with template A
- C4 rectangles 3¼″ × 1¼″then cut with template C
- B16 rectangles 1⅞″ × 1¼″then cut with template B
- D1 square 1¼″then cut with template D
Dark · Navy in the picture
4 squares and 16 long triangles
- A4 squares 1⅞″then cut with template A
- B16 rectangles 1⅞″ × 1¼″then cut with template B
Between the lines. Turkey Tracks 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
The center square, 4 corner squares, 4 sashing strips and 16 long triangles
- A4 squares 2½″
- B16 rectangles 2⅝″ × 1⅝″then cut with template B
- C4 rectangles 4½″ × 1½″
- D1 square 1½″
Dark · Navy in the picture
4 squares and 16 long triangles
- A4 squares 2½″
- B16 rectangles 2⅝″ × 1⅝″then cut with template B
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 Turkey Tracks’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
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
The center square, 4 corner squares, 4 sashing strips and 16 long triangles
- A4 squares 3¼″then cut with template A
- C4 rectangles 5⅞″ × 1⅞″then cut with template C
- B16 rectangles 3¼″ × 1⅞″then cut with template B
- D1 square 1⅞″then cut with template D
Dark · Navy in the picture
4 squares and 16 long triangles
- A4 squares 3¼″then cut with template A
- B16 rectangles 3¼″ × 1⅞″then cut with template B
Between the lines. Turkey Tracks 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.
- Add 16 corner triangles
Sew the Dark B triangle across the corner, along its long edge, and press toward the triangle. Its size isn’t on the ⅛″ ruler at this block size, so sew it as cut and don’t trim it.
- Make 8 sections
Sew 2 sections 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 sections
Sew a Background A piece and a section 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
Sew a section and a Dark A piece 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
Sew 2 sections together in a column. 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.
- 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.
- Add 16 corner triangles
Sew the Dark B triangle across the corner, along its long edge, and press toward the triangle. Each measures 1½″ × 2½″ (1″ × 2″ finished).
- Make 8 sections, 2½″
Sew 2 sections together in a row. Press the seams to one side. Each measures 2½″ (2″ finished).
- Make 4 sections, 4½″ × 2½″
Sew a Background A square and a section together in a row. Press toward the plain pieces. Each measures 4½″ × 2½″ (4″ × 2″ finished).
- Make 4 sections, 4½″ × 2½″
Sew a section and a Dark A square together in a row. Press toward the plain pieces. Each measures 4½″ × 2½″ (4″ × 2″ finished).
- 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 9½″ (9″ finished).
For the 12″ block. Choose another size above and these steps follow it.
- Add 16 corner triangles
Sew the Dark B triangle across the corner, along its long edge, and press toward the triangle. Its size isn’t on the ⅛″ ruler at this block size, so sew it as cut and don’t trim it.
- Make 8 sections
Sew 2 sections 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 sections
Sew a Background A piece and a section 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
Sew a section and a Dark A piece 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
Sew 2 sections together in a column. 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.
- 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).
Blocks like it
More like this: Nine-patch quilt blocks · all quilt blocks
Questions
Short answers.
Something else? A real person replies.
hello@quarterinch.app
Is Turkey Tracks the same block as Resolutions?
Usually, yes. Block names vary by region and by book, and the same block is often sold under several. Our library lists Resolutions 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 9 sections (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H and I), 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: 45 pieces in 4 different shapes and 16 points to match. Take it slowly and pin the points. We work the level out from the block’s own geometry, never by eye.