Plait Quilt Block Pattern

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How to Sew a Plait Quilt Block

The Plait quilt block is a traditional design that creates the beautiful appearance of woven fabric strips using simple strip piecing techniques. It looks intricate but is surprisingly straightforward to make!

Materials Needed

• Fabric strips in two or more colors
• Sewing machine and thread
• Rotary cutter and cutting mat
• Ruler
• Iron

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Cut your fabric strips to the desired width. For an 8" finished block, cut strips 2½" wide.
2. Arrange your strips in the order you want them to appear in the block.
3. Place the first two strips right sides together and sew along one long edge with a ¼" seam allowance. Press the seam to one side.
4. Add the next strip to the top of the strip set, right sides together. Sew along the long edge with a ¼" seam allowance. Press the seam to one side.
5. Continue adding strips until the strip set is the desired width.
6. Using your rotary cutter and ruler, cut the strip set into sections the same width as the original strips (e.g., 2½").
7. Take two sections and place them right sides together with seams aligned. Sew along one long edge with a ¼" seam allowance. Press the seam to one side.
8. Continue adding sections until the block reaches your desired size.
9. Trim the edges of the block to make them even.
10. Repeat to create as many Plait blocks as needed for your quilt.

Once you have your Plait blocks, arrange them in a variety of ways to create different patterns. Sew together with a ¼" seam allowance and press seams to one side. Add batting and backing to complete your quilt.

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.

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.