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How to Sew an Arrows Quilt Block
The Arrows quilt block is a fun and modern design that can be easily customized to suit your style and color preferences. Using squares and rectangles in two fabrics, the block creates bold directional arrow units that look striking in any quilt!
Materials Needed
- Fabric in your desired colors and prints
- Rotary cutter or scissors and cutting mat
- Quilting ruler and sewing machine
- Thread and iron
Step 1: Cut the Fabric Pieces
- Main fabric: four 4½" squares
- Contrasting fabric: four 2½" × 4½" rectangles and two 2½" × 8½" rectangles
Step 2: Sew the Arrow Units
Take your four 2½" × 4½" rectangles and two 2½" × 8½" rectangles. Sew the rectangles together in pairs, with the shorter rectangles on top of the longer ones, sewing along the 4½" side with a ¼" seam allowance. Press the seams open.
Step 3: Assemble the Block
Take two 4½" squares and place them right sides together. Sew along one side with a ¼" seam allowance. Press the seam open. Repeat with the remaining two squares.
Place one arrow unit on top of one sewn square pair, with the shorter end of the arrow unit pointing toward the center of the square. Sew along the long edge with a ¼" seam allowance. Press the seam toward the arrow unit. Repeat with the remaining arrow unit and square pair.
Place the two assembled pieces right sides together with the arrow units facing each other. Sew along both sides with a ¼" seam allowance. Press the seams open.
Step 4: Finish the Block
Trim the block to 8½" square, keeping the arrow units centered. Repeat steps 2–4 to create as many blocks as needed for your quilt.
Congratulations — your Arrows quilt block is complete! With its modern and playful design, this block is sure to add a fun touch to any quilt project.
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.
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