The Wampum Quilt Block

The wampum quilt block is from the Kansas City Star collection that originated in the 1930’s. It is a fun pattern to play with.

The wampum quilt pattern uses the nine patch grid with squares and half square triangles to complete.

Put a few blocks together and see what kind of pattern they create.

To complete one block for a sampler quilt:

Materials:
Fat quarter fabric in three colors
(dark blue, light blue and white)
Batting
Backing

Step 1 - Use the rotary cutting techniques.

Cut 3 patches 3” square from the dark blue fabric.
Cut 2 patches 3½” square from the dark blue fabric.
Cut 6 patches 3” square from the light blue fabric.
Cut 6 patches 2½” square from the light blue fabric.
Cut 1 patch 3½” square from the light blue fabric.
Cut 9 patches 2½” square from the white fabric.

Step 2 - Use the half square triangle method.

Place one 2½” square of dark blue fabric and one 2½” 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 2”. Be sure to use the 45 degree angle on your ruler.

Complete 6 dark blue/white half square triangles.

Step 3 - Repeat the process for the half square triangles using the light blue and white fabric.

Complete 12 light blue/white half square triangles.

Step 4 - To complete the triangle blocks, sew row one. A dark blue/white half square triangle to a light blue/white half square triangle. Row two - light blue half square triangle, light blue small square.

Sew the rows together to complete the triangle unit. Complete 6 triangle units.

Step 5 - Sew row one of the block. Triangle unit, dark blue square, triangle unit.

Step 6 - Sew row two. Triangle unit, light blue large square, triangle unit.

Step 7 - Sew row three. Triangle unit, dark blue square, triangle unit.

Step 8 - Sew the rows together to complete the wampum quilt block.

Go to Free Quilt Block Patterns from The Wampum Quilt Block