How to Quilt>Quilting
from Strips of Fabric
5 Quilt Blocks Made from Strips
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It's great fun to make quilt blocks using strips of fabric. One of the things that makes it fun is that it is easy.
Below are 5 different block designs using simply strips of fabric. Each block is simple to make. Just sew strips together, cut them off to the correct length, and then sew them together as patches to make the block.
Each block is defined as a four-patch, five-patch, or nine-patch, and the widths of the strips to sew and square patches to cut are written below the block.
This Country Charm quilt block is a 5 patch.
Sew five 1 1/2 inch strips (including seam allowances) together. Then cut them into 5 1/2 inch squares (including the seam allowances). Sew the patches into blocks rotating the direction of the stips as shown.
This pattern is available at www.QuiltBlockLibrary.com |
This Rail Fence quilt block is considered a 5 patch (although that designation escapes me, since there are 7 strips in each patch). To make this block, sew seven 1 1/2 inch (including seam allowances) strips together. Cut them into 7 1/2 inch (including seam allowances) squares, and then sew the patches into the block shown above.
You can get a pattern at www.QuiltBlockLibrary.com |
This London Stairs quilt block is a 4 patch. To make this block, sew two 2 1/2 inch (including seam allowances) strips together. Cut them into 4 1/2 inch (including seam allowances) squares, and then sew the patches into the block shown above.
This pattern is available at www.QuiltBlockLibrary.com |
 
These blocks are both 9 patch quilt blocks. On the left is Roman Square (also known as Cats and Mice Block), and on the right is Roman Stripe. To make these blocks, sew three 1 1/2 inch (including seam allowances) strips together. Cut them into 3 1/2 inch (including seam allowances) squares, and then sew the patches into the blocks as shown above.
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Patterns for these blocks are available at www.QuiltBlockLibrary.com
Generally strips will be cut from selvedge to selvedge on your fabric. How wide you cut the strips is up to you and the design of your block. Remember to add the seam allowance, so that if you want a 1 inch strip (finished size) you are cutting fabric strips 1 1/2 inches wide. Otherwise, you may get some surprises.
While it's fairly straight-forward to sew two or three strips together and then cut them off into shorter units, when you start sewing several strips together, there a few things to keep in mind:
- Make sure you check the accuracy of your seam allowances before you begin - as you can imagine, if you are just a little bit off in each seam, by the time you have the whole unit sewn together, you could be off by a measurable amount
- Check the pressing of your strips - if you are anything like I am, sometimes, I iron a fold in the strip that is not on the seamline. This decreases the accuracy of your final piece.
- If you are sewing more than about 4 strips together, occasionally begin your stitching on the opposite end of the strip. If you sew several strips together always starting at the same end, your strips may tend to migrate down, and you will have a piece that looks like it has been stair-stepped. By flipping it around and starting to stitch on the other end, this will even out.
When I sew strips together, I rarely cut off the selvedges before I sew. Maybe it is because I am a little lazy, but I haven't found a need to do that. Be sure you cut them off before you start cutting the pieces for your patches or blocks.
Often you will end up with uneven lengths of fabric strips. This is because not all fabric is exactly the same width. Depending on how you will use the strips and how much fabric there is on the end, you may be able to attach a new strip onto the bottom of the strip that is extra. I tend not to do that, and I trim the ends off and save them for another project.
Happy Quilting!
Penny is a quilter of more than 27 years who seeks to interest new
quilters and provide them with the resources necessary to create
beautiful quilts.
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©2006, Penny Halgren
