Sara's Quilt: Chain Block Pattern

Sara's Quilt is  just getting started, but as I make progress, I'll post some of the patterns on my blog. The quilt will measure 50" x 50" without borders and will be made from twenty-five 10" x 10" blocks. This post contains the pattern for the twelve chain blocks that make up most of the quilt.

Chain Block, 10 1/2" x 10 1/2" with seam allowances

The twelve chain blocks on my design wall.

Chain Blocks
Make twelve10" x 10" blocks

 
 
Fabrics
   cream background fabric: 1 1/4 yards
 * red: 1/2 yard mixed reds

 *Red fabrics need to be in pieces no less than 2 1/2" wide and 15" long. I used six strips of red fabric that were 2 1/2" x W.O.F. (width of fabric).

Cutting
Note: The measurements for cutting are just a bit long. I trimmed off the extra fabric when I squared up the blocks after they were sewn together. 

For Strip A

From background fabric,  cut

• four strips 8 3/4" x 16" .

From red,  cut

• four strips 2 1/2" x 16".

For Strip B

From background fabric,  cut

• four pieces 2 3/4" x 16" .
• four pieces 6 3/4" x 16" .

From red,  cut

• four strips 2 1/2" x 16".

For Strip C

From background fabric,  cut

• four pieces 4 3/4" x 16" .

From red,  cut

• two strips 2 1/2" x 16".  

Instructions:
Note: Use 1/4" seam allowances throughout.

Strip A:

1. Make four strip sets. Sew one 2 1/2" x 15" red strip and one 8 3/4" x 15: background piece together lengthwise to make a strip set.  Press to the red. 

2. Cut six 2 1/2" wide strips from each of the four rectangles just made as shown in the diagram. You will have 24 of Strip A.

Strip B:

1. Make four strip sets. For each strip set, sew a 2 3/4" x 15" background piece and a 6 3/4" x 15 background piece to either side of a 2 1/2" x 15" red strip. Press to the red.

2. Cut six 2 1/2" wide strips from each of the four rectangles just made as shown in the diagram. You will have 24 of Strip B.


Strip C:

1. Make two strip sets. For each strip set, sew a 4 1/2" x 15" background piece to either side of a 2 1/2" x 15" red strip. Press to the red.

 2. Cut six 2 1/2" wide strips from each of the four rectangles just made as shown in the diagram. You will have 12 of Strip C.

Note: Each block will use two of strip A, two of strip B, and one of strip C.

3. For each block, assemble and sew the strips as shown in the diagram. 

2. Square up and trim each block to 10 1/2" x 10 1/2".