The Owl Quilt Block

The owl quilt block looks like a variation from the Ohio star. It is from the Kansas City Star collection from the 1930’s.

The owl quilt block uses squares and half square triangles like so many of the other traditional quilt patterns from the 1920’s and 1030’s. It is based on a nine patch grid pattern.

I used fabric that was neutral like brown and tan fabrics but you can use any fabric color combination that you want to be creative with.

To complete one block for a sampler quilt:

Materials:
Fat quarter fabric in three colors
(brown, tan print and white)
Batting
Backing

Step 1 - Use the rotary cutting techniques.

Cut 1 patch 2” square from the brown fabric.
Cut 1 strip 2”x 16” from the brown fabric.
Cut 4 patches 3” square from the tan print fabric.
Cut 1 strip 2”x 12” from the tan print fabric. Sub-cut the strip into 3½” patches.
Cut 1 strip 1¼”x 11” from the tan print fabric. Sub-cut the strip into two 2“ strips and two 3½” strips.
Cut 4 patches 3” square from the white fabric.
Cut 1 strip 2”x 16” from the white fabric.

Step 2 - Using the strip piecing method, sew the brown 16” strip to the white 16” strip, right sides together. Press the seam allowance towards the darker fabric. Use a ruler and rotary cutter to sub-cut the strip into 2“ patches. Make sure you align the ruler with the seam line of the strip set to be sure your cuts are straight.

Step 3 - Sew two brown/white sub-cut patches together, making sure to rotate the brown and white to be opposite each other and matching the center seam.

Complete 4 corner four patch units.

Step 4 - Use the half square triangle method.

Place one 2½” square of brown print fabric and one 2½” 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 2”. Be sure to use the 45 degree angle on your ruler.

Complete 8 brown print/white half square triangles.

Step 5 - Sew two brown print/white half square triangles together forming a “V” or flying geese patch.

Sew the half square triangles unit to one 3½” tan print patch.

Complete 4 half square triangle units.

Step 6 - Sew a 2” tan print strip to the top and bottom sides of the 2” brown square. Press the seam allowances away from the center brown square.

Step 7 - Sew a 3½” tan print strip to each side of the above brown patch unit to complete the center unit.

Step 8 - Sew row one to complete the owl quilt pattern. Brown/white four patch, tan print/white half square unit, brown/white four patch unit.

Step 9 - Sew row two. Tan print/white half square triangle unit, center brown square unit, tan print/white half square unit.

Step 10 - Sew row three. Brown/white four patch unit, tan print/white half square unit, brown/white four patch unit.

Step 11 - Sew the rows together to complete the owl quilt block.

Go to Free Quilt Block Patterns from The Owl Quilt Block