Antique Frame Quilt Block Pattern

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How to Sew an Antique Frame Quilt Block

The Antique Frame quilt block adds a touch of vintage charm to any quilt project. It features a framed center square surrounded by rectangles and corner triangles, and works beautifully with reproduction or muted vintage-style fabrics.

Materials Needed

• Fabric in various colors and patterns
• Ruler
• Rotary cutter or fabric scissors
• Cutting mat
• Sewing machine and thread
• Iron and ironing board

Cutting Guide

For a 12" finished block, cut:

• One 4" square for the center
• Four 2½" × 4½" rectangles for the frame
• Four 2½" squares for the corner triangles

Adjust all measurements proportionally for a different finished size.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Choose your fabrics. For an antique look, use vintage or reproduction fabrics in muted, warm colors.
2. Assemble the frame. Sew the rectangles together in pairs, then sew the pairs around the center square to create a frame. Press seams toward the frame.
3. Attach the corner triangles. Fold each 2½" square in half diagonally to create a triangle and press. Sew one triangle to each corner of the block, matching raw edges. Press seams toward the triangle.
4. Sew the rows together. Join the top and bottom rows, then attach the center row. Press seams in whichever direction is easiest.
5. Trim and square up. Trim the block to your desired finished size, ensuring all sides are equal and all corners are right angles.
6. Repeat. Make as many Antique Frame blocks as needed for your quilt.
7. Assemble the quilt top. Arrange blocks in your desired layout, sew into rows, then join the rows. Add batting and backing, and quilt as desired.

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. Keep pressing seams in pairs of opposite directions and piecing becomes easy.

Nine Patch Technique

The secret to a perfect nine patch is pressing seams so they butt together neatly when joined.

1. Cut 5 A squares and 4 B squares. Using chain piecing, join a B square to 3 of the A squares, right sides together, with a ¼" seam allowance.

2. Join the remaining A and B squares to these units using chain piecing, right sides together, with a ¼" seam allowance.

For the faster strip method, cut A and B strips, join into A/B/A and B/A/B units, and cut across the pre-joined strips to create the units needed:

Press all seams toward the dark fabric. Join the B/A/B units to your A/B/A units with butted seams, right sides together, with a ¼" seam allowance. As long as a block has an underlying 3×3 grid, this principle applies.

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.