How to Make the Squares and Stripes Quilt Block

For the month of March, my quilt guild learned how to make the Squares and Stripes Block. This one looks like it would be hard and complicated, but it is actually one of the easiest blocks so far!

 This is a 12 inch finished block size. (12 1/2 inch unfinished.)

Start by cutting the strips. 

Cut:

White     4 of  1 1/2  x 6 inches

White   3 of  2 1/2  x 10 1/2 inches

White     2 of  1 1/2  x 10 1/2 inches

Color     4 of  1 1/2  x 10 1/2 inches

Color     2 of  1 1/2  x  6 inches

Color     3 of  2 1/2  x  6 inches

Sew:

Start by grouping all the 6 inch strips together, then grouping all the 10 1/2 inch strips together.

Sew all the 10.5 inch strips together to look like the picture below. Press towards the color fabric.

Sew all the 6 inch strips together to look like the picture below. Press towards the color fabric.

For the 10 1/2 inch strips, cut across the seams into 3 strips that are 2 1/2 inches wide and 2 strips that are 1 1/2 inches wide.

For the 6 inch strips, cut across the seams into 4 strips that are 1 1/2 inches wide.

Then, arrange the strips to match the layout. 

Sew the strips together, pressing the seams toward the strips that have dark ends (the original 6 inch strips.)

There you have it. A block with 1 inch squares without the tiny piecing!

If you have any questions, please leave a comment below! 

Check back each month for a new How-To of quilt blocks! To see the other blocks, just search my blog for Quilt Guild Block of the Month.

If you would like a PDF version of these instructions, please check out Group #1 of the How-To Block of the Month Downloads.

As I have mentioned before, these block designs come from the book 5500 Quilt Block Designs by Maggie Malone. (c) 2003.)

Have fun quilting!