The Friendship Name Chain Quilt Block

The friendship name chain quilt block was first published in the Kansas City Star back in the 1920’s and 1930’s. This is one of the many basic quilt patterns that were passed around between friends and family members for many years before they were ever published though.

The friendship name chain quilt block is an easy pattern that uses the nine patch grid system and half square triangles to create the angles.

The center strip is used for signatures or names of the ones you love.

To complete one block for a sampler quilt:

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

Step 1 - Use the rotary cutting techniques.

Cut 3 patches 3½” square from the brown fabric.
Cut 3 patches 3½” square from the white fabric.
Cut 3 patches 2½” square from the white fabric.

Step 2 - Use the half square triangle method.

Place one 3½” square of brown 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 drawn 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 2 ½”. Be sure to use the 45 degree angle on your ruler.

Complete 6 units of brown/white half square triangles.

Step 3 - Sew row one - half square triangle, half square triangle, white square.

Step 4 - Sew row two - half square triangle, white square, half square triangle.

Step 5 - Sew row three - white square, half square triangle, half square triangle.

Step 6 - Sew the rows together to complete the friendship name chain quilt block.

Go to Free Quilt Block Patterns from the Friendship Name Chain Quilt Block