- Background (muslin)
- Dark (indigo)
Block No. 50 · nine-patch
Cat's Cradle Quilt Block
Also known as Dove at the Window, Wandering Lover, Harrison Quilt, Double Pyramids
Part of: Nine Patch Quilt BlocksHalf Square Triangle Quilt BlocksTwo Color Quilt Blocks
Cat's Cradle uses six small Birds in the Air units around a diagonal line of plain squares. This six-grid version creates two opposing groups of triangles, unlike the single Birds in the Air block.
- Level
- Intermediate
- Grid
- 6 × 6
- Pieces
- 33
Chart
Cutting for a 12" block
6 × 6 grid. All cuts fall on 1/8" ruler marks. Unfinished block: 12 1/2".
| Fabric | Shape | Cut | Size | Then | Pieces used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Background | Square | 2 | 4 1/2" square | Use as cut | 2 |
| Background | Half-square triangle | 9 | 2 7/8" square | Cut once diagonally (2 triangles each) | 18 |
| Dark | Square | 1 | 4 1/2" square | Use as cut | 1 |
| Dark | Half-square triangle | 3 | 4 7/8" square | Cut once diagonally (2 triangles each) | 6 |
| Dark | Half-square triangle | 3 | 2 7/8" square | Cut once diagonally (2 triangles each) | 6 |
Method
Piecing steps
Step 1: For each Birds in the Air unit, make a small dark/background HST measuring 2 1/2". Add one loose background triangle to its right and one below it.
Step 2: Join this pieced triangular half to a large dark triangle and trim the unit to 4 1/2". Make six units.
Step 3: Arrange three plain squares along the top-left to bottom-right diagonal, with the dark square at the center. Place the six pieced units in the remaining positions, rotating the lower group by a half turn.
Step 4: Sew three rows, then join them while preserving the triangle points.
Step 5: Join the sections with a 1/4-inch seam allowance, matching the marked intersections. Press and check the unfinished block measures 12 1/2" square.