Jacob's Ladder Quilt Block

The Jacob's ladder quilt block pattern is an old favorite with many quilters.

The Jacob’s ladder quilt block uses half square triangles and can be done using the nine patch grid pattern or the four patch grid. This block uses a nine patch grid pattern. The units are 2 ½” each.

To complete one block for a sampler quilt:

Materials:
Fat quarters in 3 colors
(tan, red, blue)
Batting
Backing

Step 1 - Use the rotary cutting techniques. Cut 2 unit 3 1/2” square from the blue and tan fabric.
Cut 1 strip 1 1/2” wide from each of the red and tan fabric.

Step 2 - Sew the red and tan strips rights sides together.

Step 3 - Sub-cut the sewn strip into 1 1/2” units.

Step 4 - Sew the sub-cut units together rotating the placement of the red and tan fabric as shown in the example to complete the unit.

Step 5 - Use the half square triangle method.

Place one 3 ½” square of blue fabric and one 3 ½” square of the tan fabric, right sides together. Draw a line on the diagonal on the lighter fabric from one corner to the opposite corner. Stitch ¼” on each side of the marked line.

Cut on the drawn line with your rotary cutter or scissors to separate the square into triangles.

Fold open the square and press the seam allowances toward the darker fabric.

Cut on the drawn line with your rotary cutter or scissors to separate the square into triangles.

Fold open the square and press the seam allowances toward the darker fabric. Using your plastic ruler, trim the square to be 2 ½”. Be sure to use the 45 degree angle on your ruler.

This will give you two half square triangles 2 ½” each.

Repeat the same procedure with the remaining 3 ½” squares of blue and tan fabric.

Step 6 - Sew row one, four patch unit, half square triangle, four patch unit.

Be sure to check the placement of your Jacob's ladder quilt block units so you can be sure to create the "ladder".

Step 7 - Sew row two, half square triangle, four patch unit, half square triangle.

Step 8 - Sew row three four patch unit, half square triangle, four patch unit.

This Jacob's ladder quilt block can be set to create a “ladder” pattern. Most of the time, a solid companion block is used to compliment this unique block.

Experiment. See how creative you can be.

The Jacob’s ladder quilt block is a pattern that has been around for a long time. We are still drawn to many of the old quilt block patterns.

Go to Quick and Easy Quilting Ideas from Jacob's Ladder Quilt Block