- Background (muslin)
- Dark (indigo)
Block No. 106 · four-patch
Little Cedar Tree Quilt Block
Also known as The Little Cedar Tree
Part of: Four Patch Quilt BlocksHalf Square Triangle Quilt BlocksEasy Quilt BlocksQuilt Blocks For BeginnersTree Quilt BlocksTwo Color Quilt Blocks
The Little Cedar Tree is four identical half-square triangles, all turned the same way. On its own it is a simple stripe; set side by side, the dark triangles stack into rows of small cedars.
Version note: A 6-inch traditional block from Quilter's Cache. The tree only appears when blocks are set together. Layout confidence: medium.
- Level
- Beginner
- Grid
- 2 × 2
- Pieces
- 8
Chart
Cutting for a 12" block
2 × 2 grid. All cuts fall on 1/8" ruler marks. Unfinished block: 12 1/2".
| Fabric | Shape | Cut | Size | Then | Pieces used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Background | Half-square triangle | 2 | 6 7/8" square | Cut once diagonally (2 triangles each) | 4 |
| Dark | Half-square triangle | 2 | 6 7/8" square | Cut once diagonally (2 triangles each) | 4 |
Method
Piecing steps
Step 1: Cut every patch listed in the cutting chart for your size. Plain areas are cut as the larger squares and rectangles shown; do not subdivide them. Columns count from the left and rows from the top, starting at 1, in grid cells.
Step 2: Make the half-square triangles: cut each HST parent square once diagonally, sew contrasting triangles along the long edge, press toward the darker fabric and square up (4 at 6 1/2"). Keep each fabric pair and size in its own stack.
Step 3: Make four HSTs and square each to 6 1/2".
Step 4: Lay them out with every dark triangle in the upper-right, as shown.
Step 5: Make section 1: sew the dark/background HST at column 1, row 1 (dark in the upper-right) and the dark/background HST at column 1, row 2 (dark in the upper-right) in a column, top to bottom. Press and check it measures 6 1/2" wide by 12 1/2" high.
Step 6: Make section 2: sew the dark/background HST at column 2, row 1 (dark in the upper-right) and the dark/background HST at column 2, row 2 (dark in the upper-right) in a column, top to bottom. Press and check it measures 6 1/2" wide by 12 1/2" high.
Step 7: Complete the block: sew section 1 and section 2 side by side, left to right. Press and check it measures 12 1/2" wide by 12 1/2" high.
Step 8: Press the finished block. Every join above runs edge to edge, with no set-in or Y-seams.