Jack in the Box Quilt Block

From our Free Quilt Block Patterns Library

Skill Level: Beginner

Grid: 5x5

The Jack in the Box quilt block is simple to make using either the Connector Corners technique or paper piecing for perfect pointy points.

You'll find both techniques available on this page in three different sizes. As always, if you choose to paper piece, the pattern downloads are free and located on this page, too!

This block is also called Wheel of Fortune and Whirligig.

Let's get started!

Construction Instructions

When you are instructed to press, first press the pieced unit flat to set the seam. Then open the patch, pressing from the front. Seam allowances are pressed to the dark fabric unless otherwise noted.

Regardless of the technique you choose, try our favorite method for getting flatter blocks. Click here to learn about this simple and effective pressing technique.

Step 1: Choose a technique, a size and then cut your patches

The blue chart is for paper pieced Jack in the Box quilt blocks. After deciding on the size, you can download the necessary patterns right from the chart.

You will need the current version of Adobe to do this. Click here to get it.

To print the patterns at the right size, you must set 'Page Scaling' to 'None' in your print menu. There is a 1" square on the page to help you confirm it is printed correctly.

Note, too, that the 'Patch #'s' are sometimes words. This is to make it easier to keep track of the units between both methods.

The pink chart is for the Connector Corners technique.

Choose your method and cut from the appropriate chart.

			Finished Block Size
Patch #	Fabric	Total Qty	5”	7-1/2”	10”
1	A	4	1-5/8” x 2-3/4”	2-1/8” x 3-3/4”	2-5/8” x 4-3/4”
2, Sky	B	8	2-3/8” x 2-3/8”	2-7/8” x 2-7/8”	3-3/8” x 3-3/8”
Goose	A	1	3-5/8” x 3-5/8”	4-5/8” x 4-5/8”	5-5/8” x 5-5/8”
5	A	4	1-1/2” x 2-1/2”	2” x 3-1/2”	2-1/2” x 4-1/2”
Center	B	1	1-1/2” x 1-1/2”	2” x 2”	2-1/2” x 2-1/2”
Print Jack in the Box units...			2"	3"	4"**
Unfinished unit measures...			2-1/2” x 2-1/2”	3-1/2” x 3-1/2”	4-1/2” x 4-1/2”
Unfinished Jack in the Box block measures...			5-1/2” x 5-1/2”	8” x 8”	10-1/2” x 10-1/2”

**Print two copies for a total of 4 units.

Connector Corners

			Finished Block Size
Patch #	Fabric	Total Qty	5”	7-1/2”	10”
1, Goose	A	8	1-1/2” x 2-1/2”	2” x 3-1/2”	2-1/2” x 4-1/2”
2, Sky	B	16	1-1/2” x 1-1/2”	2” x 2”	2-1/2” x 2-1/2”
5	A	4	1-1/2” x 2-1/2”	2” x 3-1/2”	2-1/2” x 4-1/2”
Center	B	1	1-1/2” x 1-1/2”	2” x 2”	2-1/2” x 2-1/2”
Unfinished unit measures...			2-1/2” x 2-1/2”	3-1/2” x 3-1/2”	4-1/2” x 4-1/2”
Unfinished Jack in the Box quilt block measures...			5-1/2” x 5-1/2”	8” x 8”	10-1/2” x 10-1/2”

Step 2: Assemble the Jack in the Box unit

Make 4

Connector Corners

Click here for detailed instructions using connector corners to make the units.

When you are finished, click the 'Back' button on your browser bar to return here.

Paperpiecing

Cut the four patterns from the downloaded page(s) just outside the dotted lines.

With a dab of Elmer's Glue Stick, the one that goes on purple and dries clear, stick the back side of #1 to the unprinted side of the pattern. Use the dashed placement lines to position it.

This patch should extend approximately an 1/8" past the outside edges of the unfinished block.

With RST add a #2. It doesn't matter which side is first. Just be consistent. That way if you've making a boatload of these blocks, you can get a rhythm going. You should be able to see through the pattern to use the dashed placement line.

Stitch, starting and stopping a good 1/4"  before and after the solid line. (see arrows)

Press.

Add the second #2 and press.

Add a 'goose' triangle. Use the placement line to help you position it.

Stitch, starting and stopping past the edge of the unfinished block.

Trim to a quarter inch seam. In the photo below, just the excess green dot fabric will be trimmed away.

Press the goose.

Add the sky triangles one at a time, pressing and then trimming away any excess after each is added.

Before trimming, the Jack in the Box unit looks like this...

To trim, align the 1/4" mark of your ruler with the solid outline of the block. Trim with your rotary cutter. Repeat for all sides.

Repeat to make the three remaining units.

Step 3: Assemble your Jack in the Box quilt block

Lay out the Jack in the Box units and cut patches into rows like this. Pay careful attention to rotate the pieced units a quarter turn clockwise as you move around the block. The geese point out from the center.

With a 1/4" seam allowance, stitch the patches into rows. Press with SAs in the direction of the arrows, away from the pieced Jack in the Box units.

Sew the rows together with a 1/4" seam. After one final press, your finished Jack in the Box quilt block looks like this!

Maybe it's because I'm making this at Christmastime, but this block really reminds me of a bow? You, too?

Common Variations

There are a few variations on the basic design. The one thing that doesn't change is the strong movement created by the central pinwheel motif.

Colorado Beauty

In this first variation, the unit is the same, but the cut square and rectangles are removed.

Click here for instructions to make a Colorado Beauty block.

Seesaw

The rectangle has lost a HST.

Land of Lincoln

The pieced rectangle is flipped end to end and the goose has lost one of it's sky patches.

Lucky Pieces

Two HSTs are substituted in for the goose!

Same name, different block...

This version of the Jack in the Box quilt block is closely related to ours—the only difference being the HSTs that have replaced the pieced rectangles.

There's more blocks popping up...

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