Practical Orchard Quilt Block Pattern

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How to Sew a Practical Orchard Quilt Block

The Practical Orchard quilt block is a charming design that evokes the look of an orchard row, using shades of green, brown, and white to suggest trees and earth. It finishes at 12½" square.

Materials:

• Fabric scraps in green, brown, and white
• Sewing machine & quilting thread
• Rotary cutter or scissors, cutting mat & ruler
• Iron and ironing board

Cut your fabric:

• (2) 2½" × 2½" white squares
• (2) 2½" × 2½" green squares
• (4) 2½" × 4½" green rectangles
• (1) 2½" × 4½" brown rectangle
• (2) 2½" × 6½" green rectangles
• (1) 4½" × 4½" white square

Instructions:

1. Sew the 2½" white squares to the 2½" green squares to create two half-square triangle units. Press seams to the dark side and trim to 2" × 2". Repeat to make 4 HST squares total.
2. Sew the 2½" × 4½" green rectangles to the sides of the 2½" × 4½" brown rectangle.
3. Sew the two 2½" × 6½" green rectangles to the top and bottom of the unit from step 2.
4. Sew two HST squares to the sides of the unit from step 3.
5. Sew the remaining two HST squares to the top and bottom of the 4½" × 4½" white square.
6. Sew the units from steps 4 and 5 together to complete the block.
7. Press well and trim to 12½" × 12½".
8. Repeat to make as many blocks as desired, then sew together with sashing and borders as desired.

Making Half-Square Triangles

This technique eliminates the need to directly manipulate the stretchy bias of the triangle. It uses two easy-to-cut squares to produce two half-square triangles.

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

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:

Now cut along the diagonal line.

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

To trim to the exact size, line up the 45° diagonal on your ruler with the seam.

Then carefully trim your block with a rotary cutter.

Making Quarter-Square Triangles

On the back of the lightest square, draw a pencil line 90° to the existing seam on the diagonal:

Butt the central seams:

Sew a ¼" seam allowance on the right and left side of the diagonal line.

Then cut the seam on the pencil line.

Nine Patch Piecing

The secret to the nine patch is pressing seams so they butt when joined. Cut 5 A squares and 4 B squares in the required size. Using chain piecing, join a B square to 3 of the A squares with a ¼" seam allowance. The result:

Next, chain piece the remaining A and B squares to these units:

Your result:

For speed, cut A and B strips and join into A/B/A and B/A/B units. Press every seam toward the dark fabric, then cut across the pre-joined strips:

Same result, but faster:

This methodology applies to all kinds of 9-patch blocks — as long as the block has an underlying 3×3 grid, the principle applies.

When it's not obvious which direction is the dark in complicated blocks, remember the basic ironing plan:

How to Resize Quilt Blocks

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

Important: Always remove the seam allowance before doubling or tripling the size. For example, if your pattern calls for 3½" squares, subtract the seam allowances (½"), double the finished block size (3" → 6"), then add the seam allowance back (½"). You'll end up cutting a 6½" piece of fabric.

Resizing Square Blocks

Add ½" to your desired 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 block that measures 3" × 4", cut a 6½" × 8½" rectangle of fabric.

Resizing Half-Square Triangle Blocks

Add ⅞" to the desired finished block size. For a 4" finished block, cut 4⅞" squares.

Resizing Quarter-Square Triangle Blocks

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