Three Strips Quilt Block Pattern
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Materials needed:
- Fabric strips in three different colors measuring 2.5 inches wide and at least 16 inches long
- Sewing machine
- Thread
- Scissors
- Iron and ironing board
Steps:
- Choose three different fabric strips in colors that you want to use for your quilt block.
- Lay the three strips right sides together with one strip of each color on top of the other.
- Sew a 1/4 inch seam along one long edge of the strips using a sewing machine.
- Press the seams open with an iron.
- Lay the sewn strip flat on the cutting mat with the seam allowances facing up.
- Cut the strip into three pieces, each measuring 5.5 inches.
- Flip the middle piece around so that the colors alternate on each side of the center piece.
- Sew the three pieces together by placing the outer pieces right sides together with the center piece.
- Sew a 1/4 inch seam along each long edge of the block, making sure to match the seams.
- Press the seams open with an iron.
Congratulations! You have now sewn a basic three strip quilt block. Repeat these steps to create more blocks, and then join them together to create a larger quilt top.
How to Resize Quilt Blocks:
The first step in modifying any quilt block is to decide on the size of your finished quilt block. You can come to a decision based on a number of factors: doubling a pattern, cutting your pattern in half, or choosing the size based on your available fabric.
NOTE: When working from a pattern’s cutting instructions, make sure you remove the seam allowance before doubling or tripling the size. For instance, if your pattern calls for 3-1/2″ squares, first you’ll subtract the sum of the seam allowances (1/2″), double the finished block size (from 3″ to 6″), and add the seam allowance back in (1/2″). So, when all is said and done, you will cut a 6-1/2″ piece of fabric.
Resizing Square Blocks:
Square blocks are the easiest to resize. Simply add to your finished block measurement. For example, if you’d like your finished block to be a 4″ square, you’ll need to cut a 4-1/2″ square of fabric.
Resizing Rectangular Blocks:
Similarly to the square, for rectangle blocks, you’ll add to the length and width measurements of your finished block. If you’re doubling block that measures 3″ x 4″ in your quilt, you’ll cut a 6-1/2″ x 8-1/2″ rectangle of fabric.
Resizing Half-Square Triangle Blocks:
When you want to change the size of a Half-Square Triangle block, add 7/8″ to the desired finished block size. To make a 4″ finished block, you’d cut 4-7/8″ squares.
Resizing Quarter Square Triangle:
Since there are two cut lines and two seam lines in a Quarter-Square Triangle block you’ll need to add 1-1/4″ to the desired finished block size. For a finished block that’s 4″, you’d cut your squares 5-1/4″.