Capital T Quilt Block Pattern

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How to Sew a Capital T Quilt Block

The Capital T quilt block is a classic design that uses contrasting fabric strips sewn together to form a bold letter T shape, set against a background square. It's a striking block that works beautifully in any two-color combination!

Materials Needed

• Fabric in two contrasting colors
• Sewing machine and thread
• Rotary cutter or scissors
• Cutting mat and ruler
• Iron

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Cut two strips of fabric in contrasting colors — one 5" wide and one 3" wide. Cut both to the length needed for your project.
2. Cut the 5" strip into two pieces, each 2½" wide.
3. Cut the 3" strip into two pieces, each 2½" wide.
4. Sew the two 2½" pieces from the 5" strip together along the long side, right sides together. Press the seam open.
5. Sew the two 2½" pieces from the 3" strip together along the long side, right sides together. Press the seam open.
6. Sew the two strips together to form the Capital T shape — align the shorter strip with the top of the longer strip and sew along the long side. Press the seam open.
7. Cut a 5" square from one of the contrasting fabrics for the background.
8. Sew the T block to the background square, centering the T on the square. Sew along all sides of the T block.
9. Press the block flat and trim any excess fabric from the edges if necessary.

Your Capital T quilt block is complete! Repeat these steps to make as many blocks as needed for your project.

Covered Corners Method

The covered corners method is a quick and accurate way to add diagonal corner accents to any block without cutting triangles separately.

Half-Square Triangle (HST) Technique

This technique eliminates the need to directly manipulate the stretchy bias of the triangle. It uses two easy-to-cut squares and produces two HSTs at once.

Step 1: Draw the Diagonal Line

On the back of the lighter fabric, draw a pencil line diagonally from corner to corner.

Step 2: Sew Both Sides of the Line

Stack a pair of light and dark squares right sides together. Sew a ¼" seam allowance on each side of the line.

You will end up with something like this:

Step 3: Cut, Press, and Trim

Press the seam to set it, then press toward the darkest fabric.

Line up the 45° diagonal angle on your ruler with the seam, then carefully trim with a rotary cutter.

Four Patch Technique

The secret to the perfect four patch is pressing seams so they butt together when joined.

Cut two A squares and two B squares. Using chain piecing, join one A square to one B square, right sides together, with a scant ¼" seam allowance. Press toward the dark fabric.

Press all seams toward the dark fabric so they butt up. Place the two A/B units right sides together, butting seams. Pin if needed, join with a scant ¼" seam allowance, then press.

You can apply this technique to all kinds of four patch blocks. As long as a block has a 4×4 grid, the basic principles apply.

How to Resize Quilt Blocks

The first step in modifying any quilt block is to decide on your finished block size. You can base this on doubling a pattern, cutting it in half, or working with your available fabric.

Note: When working from a pattern's cutting instructions, remove the seam allowance before scaling. For example, if your pattern calls for 3½″ squares, subtract the seam allowance (½″), double the finished size (3″ → 6″), then add the seam allowance back (½″) — giving you a 6½″ cut piece.

Resizing Square Blocks

Add ½″ to your finished block measurement. For a 4″ finished square, cut a 4½″ square of fabric.

Resizing Rectangular Blocks

Add ½″ to both the length and width. To double a 3″ × 4″ block, cut a 6½″ × 8½″ rectangle.

Resizing Half-Square Triangle Blocks

Add 7/8″ to the desired finished block size. For a 4″ finished HST block, cut 4⅞″ squares.

Resizing Quarter Square Triangle Blocks

Add 1¼″ to the desired finished block size. For a 4″ finished block, cut 5¼″ squares.