- Background (muslin)
- Light (faded chambray)
- Dark (indigo)
- Accent (madder red)
Block No. 46 · pictorial
Sailboat Quilt Block
Also known as Sailboat (two-sail version)
Part of: Half Square Triangle Quilt BlocksQuilt Blocks For BeginnersBaby Quilt Blocks
Sailboat uses large triangular sails above a shallow trapezoid hull. This four-grid version includes a strip of water beneath the boat and uses straight seams throughout.
Version note: Selected the four-grid, two-sail version; sail and hull proportions vary among traditional boat blocks.
- Level
- Confident Beginner
- Grid
- 4 × 4
- Pieces
- 10
Chart
Cutting for a 12" block
4 × 4 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 | 1 | 6 7/8" square | Cut once diagonally (2 triangles each) | 2 |
| Background | Half-square triangle | 1 | 3 7/8" square | Cut once diagonally (2 triangles each) | 2 |
| Light | Rectangle | 1 | 3 1/2" × 12 1/2" | Use as cut | 1 |
| Light | Half-square triangle | 1 | 6 7/8" square | Cut once diagonally (2 triangles each) | 11 spare |
| Dark | Half-square triangle | 1 | 6 7/8" square | Cut once diagonally (2 triangles each) | 11 spare |
| Accent | Rectangle | 1 | 3 1/2" × 6 1/2" | Use as cut | 1 |
| Accent | Half-square triangle | 1 | 3 7/8" square | Cut once diagonally (2 triangles each) | 2 |
Method
Piecing steps
Step 1: Make the two large sail HSTs from the large triangle parents, using dark and light sails against background. Trim each to 6 1/2".
Step 2: Subcut the HST parent squares once diagonally as listed in the chart. Sew contrasting triangles along their long edges and square each small unit to 3 1/2", keeping the diagonal centered.
Step 3: Join the two small hull HSTs to opposite ends of the accent rectangle, with the background triangles at the lower outside corners.
Step 4: Sew the two sail units together. Attach the hull strip beneath the sails, then add the water rectangle.
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.