The Octagon Quilt Block

The octagon quilt block is one of the very basic quilt blocks from the Kansas City Star collection that was published in the 1930’s.

This simple quilt block makes a great companion block to many other blocks to create very nice patterns. The federal chain quilt block is a great example.

The block is made with squares and half square triangles at the corners. That is all. A very simple pattern.

To complete one block for a sampler quilt:

Materials:
Fat quarter fabric in two colors
(blue and white)
Batting
Backing

Step 1 - Use the rotary cutting techniques.

Cut 2 patches 3½” square from the blue fabric.
Cut 2 patches 2½” square from the white fabric.
Cut 2 patches 3½” square from the white fabric.
Cut 1 patch 2½”x 6½” from the white fabric.

Step 2 - Use the half square triangle method.

Place one 3½” square of blue fabric and one 3½” square of white 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. Using your plastic ruler, trim the square to be 2½”. Be sure to use the 45 degree angle on your ruler.

Complete 4 blue/white half square triangles.

Step 3 - Sew row one. Blue/white half square triangle, white square, blue/white half square triangle.

Step 4 - Row two is the 2½”x 6½” strip.

Step 5 - Sew row three. Blue/white half square triangle, white square, blue/white half square triangle.

Step 6 - Sew the rows together to complete the octagon quilt block.

Go to Free Quilt Block Patterns from the Octagon Quilt Block