Sixteen Across Quilt Block

Hello dear friends and Readers and welcome to today’s post. I would like to share with you a simple block for using up scraps. I’ve been playing around with these blocks for a few weeks now, in between some hand quilting and hand stitching this top …

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Today‘s Sixteen Across blocks are machine pieced, super scrappy and super simple and yet, will give some design impact due to the diagonal placement of the darker colours. It is a very easy way to get an on point diagonal design without cutting any triangles.

Essentially, this is like a 16 patch postage stamp block however, the placement of colour gives the design impact. The only thing you will need to decide is whether your fabrics are light or dark, and then sort them appropriately. These are great for that kind of relaxing machine piecing, where one can just sit down with a bunch of squares and get into that mediative zone. These blocks have been pieced on a vintage Singer treadle Singer 201K Treadle C1940

I happen to have a bucket full of 2 1/2 inch squares and that was the inspiration for these blocks. I have previously made 36 patch blocks and 16 patch postage stamp blocks which I will give you the links for.

36 Patch Postage Stamp Blocks Tutorial

Postage Stamp Blocks

Using the link for the 36 patch block, you can read the method for putting these squares together in a way that makes matching the points very easy and gives a good result every time. I like to call it scaffolding the block. I use this method for putting quilts together too. Keeps things together nicely and is very good for keeping seams nested and pieces in order.

Of course you could change the size of the squares you use. I just happen to have the 2 1/2 inch squares.

Block size 8 1/2” x 8 1/2”

Seam allowance 1/4”

Requirements for one Sixteen Across Quilt Block

10 of 2 1/2” x 2 1/2” dark medium squares

Six of 2 1/2 inch x 2 1/2” light squares

Making the Sixteen Across Block

Begin by laying out the 16 of 2 1/2” x 2 1/2” squares in a 4 x 4 matrix. I lay mine out the same way each time to avoid any confusion. I make two blocks at a time so that I can alternate them through the machine.

Top (first) row – two dark squares. followed by two light squares,

Second row – three dark squares, one light square.

Third row – one light square, followed by three dark squares

Fourth row – two light squares, followed by two dark squares

Beginning from the top left hand corner, and following this method of the 36 Patch Postage Stamp Blocks Tutorial, from the first row, place the second square on top of the first square right sides together and sew a seam down the right side. Do not cut the thread,

Now follow with the next two squares from the second row in the same way then the next two squares from the third row and fourth row, so a they all remain chained together.

(Now start your second block or whatever you are stitching in between the blocks.)

Beginning again from the top, open out your eight squares, finger press and keeping the order correct, begin piecing from the top of the third row. And work down in the same way adding the squares to the right side.

Follow on with the last set of squares in the same way.

Now turn the whole block to sew all the columns together, making sure that the seams are nested nicely, points are aligned. Pin to hold in place. Sew the three seams and the block is finished.

Press the block.

I am not sure exactly how I will put these together yet. They could just be put together as they are for a quick scrappy quilt or sashed.

Happy stitching.

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Susie

©Susan Stuklis 2023