H Quilt Block Pattern

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How to Sew an H Quilt Block

The H quilt block is a simple and satisfying block that’s great for beginners and experienced quilters alike.

Materials:

• Fabric in two contrasting colors
• Sewing machine & thread
• Rotary cutter or scissors, cutting mat & ruler

Instructions:

1. Cut two strips of each color, 2½" wide by 12½" long.
2. Place one strip of each color right sides together and sew along one long edge using a ¼" seam allowance. Repeat with the other two strips. Press seams to one side.
3. Cut the sewn strips into 4½" squares.
4. Arrange the squares in the shape of an H — two squares of one color in the middle, squares of the other color on either side.
5. Sew the squares together in rows using a ¼" seam allowance, then sew the rows together. Press seams to one side.
6. Trim the finished block to 12½" square, keeping all corners square.

Repeat to make as many H blocks as needed for your quilt!

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, right sides together, with a ¼" seam allowance. The result will be:

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

Your result will be:

To make this faster, cut A and B strips at the appropriate width 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:

Press all seams toward the dark fabric so they butt up. Join the B/A/B units to your A/B/A units with butted seams and a ¼" seam allowance. 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".