A Box Quilt Block

The box quilt block comes from the Kansas City Star collection of traditional quilt patterns that were published in the 1930’s.

The box quilt block is a nine patch grid that uses only squares and half square triangles. This easy pattern makes it fast and simple, even for the beginner.

Use your sewing machine and some of your vintage fabric collection to make a timeless treasure to decorate your home.

Sometimes I wonder why certain blocks are named what they are. For example, why was this block not named for the X pattern? But I guess we all have our reasons and I am sure all of those quilters from the past had their reasons too.

To complete one block for a sampler quilt:

Materials:
Fat quarter fabric in two colors
(blue and white)
Batting
Backing

Step 1 - Use the rotary cutting techniques.

Cut 1 patch 2½” square from the blue fabric.
Cut 4 patches 3½” square from the blue fabric.
Cut 4 patches 3½” square from the white fabric.

Step 2 - Use the half square triangle method.

Place one 3½” square of blue fabric and one 3½” square of white fabric, right sides together. Draw a line on the diagonal on the lighter fabric from one corner to the opposite corner. Stitch ¼” on each side of the marked line.

Cut on the drawn line with your rotary cutter or scissors to separate the square into triangles.

Fold open the square and press the seam allowances toward the darker fabric. Using your plastic ruler, trim the square to be 2½”. Be sure to use the 45 degree angle on your ruler.

Complete 8 blue/white half square triangles.

Step 3 - Sew row one. Blue/white half square triangle (triangle pointed to the upper right), blue/white half square triangle (pointed to the lower left), blue/white half square triangle (pointed to the lower right).

Step 4 - Sew row two. Blue/white half square triangle (pointed to the lower right), blue square, blue/white half square triangle (pointed to the upper left).

Step 5 - Sew row three. Blue/white half square triangle (pointed to the upper left), blue/white half square triangle (pointed to the upper right), blue/white half square triantriangle (pointed to the lower left).

Step 6 - Sew the rows together to complete the box quilt block.

Go to Free Quilt Block Patterns from the Box Quilt Block