May Basket Quilt Block Pattern

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How to Sew a May Basket Quilt Block

The May Basket quilt block is a charming traditional design that resembles a flower basket — perfect for spring quilts and seasonal projects. It combines half-square triangles and squares to create its distinctive basket shape.

Materials:

• Fabric in 2–3 colors: background, basket body, and handle/accent
• Rotary cutter, cutting mat & ruler
• Sewing machine & thread
• Iron and ironing board

Instructions:

1. Cut your fabric pieces according to your chosen block size. You'll need half-square triangle units for the basket body, squares for the base, and a bias strip or pieced handle for the top.
2. Make your half-square triangle units: pair basket fabric with background fabric, draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of the lighter square, sew ¼" on each side of the line, cut along the line, press seams toward the darker fabric, and trim to size.
3. Arrange the HST units in a diagonal pattern to form the basket body. Sew in rows, pressing seams in alternating directions.
4. Add the basket base: sew a rectangle or square of basket fabric to the bottom of the HST section. Press seam downward.
5. Create the handle: cut a bias strip of handle fabric, fold and press the edges under, then appliqué or piece it in a curved arc at the top of the block.
6. Add background pieces to complete the block, filling in the corners around the basket shape.
7. Press the finished block and trim to your desired size, keeping all corners square.
8. Repeat to make as many May Basket blocks as needed for your quilt.

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".