Calgary Stampede Quilt Block

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The Calgary Stampede quilt block looks complicated.

It's not.

Simple basic piecing techniques create all the pointy goodness!

In fact, the HSTs and the Flying Geese both use 8-at-a-time methods that streamline the piecing process. Starting with over-sized patches helps you create perfect patches every time.

In this tutorial you'll find:

• A cutting chart in three sizes with downloads of the chart and block design

• A coloring page to download and print

• Step-by-step illustrated instructions

• No time to quilt? Pin this Calgary Stampede tutorial for later.

It's time to cut up and sew!

Pin it to enjoy later!

General Instructions

When instructed to press, press the patches in the closed position first—just as they came off your sewing machine. This sets the seam, melding the fibers of the threads into the fibers of the fabric.

SA are pressed to the dark unless otherwise noted.

Pressing instructions are highlighted in yellow throughout this tutorial.

Several abbreviations are used on this page. They are:

• SA - seam allowance
• RST - right sides together
• HST - half square triangles
• CC - connector corner
• FG - Flying Geese

1/4" SA are used through this tutorial.

Step 1: Cutting for a Calgary Stampede block

Calgary Stampede design

Sample Block Size:

• 10" finished
• 10 1/2" unfinished

Grid: 7x7

Design Type: Uneven 9-patch-large center, Star

Be sure to label your patches. We refer to their numbers throughout the steps.

I've used batiks for the medium and dark fabric choices. Batiks are fabulous to work with because they fold and press so well.

YOU are always in charge of the fabrics you choose for your own blocks.

In that spirit, I decided to swap lights and darks in the design, which is why the fabrics are labelled 'A' and 'B' to avoid confusion. I selected a variegated batik and a Bella Solid to work with.

If you're interested in using batiks, check out some new ones from our favorite fabric brands here.

The background is a Moda 'Grunge'. A solid, but not solid-solid with nice depth. I wish they photographed better.

You can find a variety of Grunge fabrics (yardage and precuts) here and here. (These links open in new windows to make it easier to come back to this spot in the tutorial.)

To print a copy of the block design and cutting chart to use at your cutting table, click here.

A word about directional prints...

In this tutorial, I've used a directional print for my medium fabric intending the fabric design to run all in one direction in the finished block.

Yeah. Kind of anal, but that's how I roll. ;)

I've highlighted in turquoise the steps needed to make this happen. The turquoise should make those notes easy to find if you need them and easy to ignore if you don't.

For cutting, the only adjustment needed for the directional print is for Patch #8—two should be cut on the lengthwise grain and two on the crosswise.

Click here to see what those cut patches look like.

			Cutting Chart for a Calgary Stampede Quilt Block ~ Traditional Piecing ~
Patch	Fabric	Qty	Finished Block Size
			7''	10 1/2''	14''
1	Light	4	1 1/2'' x 1 1/2''	2'' x 2"	2 1/2'' x 2 1/2''
2	Med	1	4 1/4'' x 4 1/4''	5 1/4'' x 5 1/4''	6 1/4'' x 6 1/4''
3	Light	1	4 1/4'' x 4 1/4''	5 1/4'' x 5 1/4''	6 1/4'' x 6 1/4''
4	Med	4	1 1/2'' x 1 1/2''	2'' x 2''	2 1/2'' x 2 1/2''
5	Dark	2	3 1/2'' x 3 1/2"	4 1/2" x 4 1/2"	5 1/2'' x 5 1/2"
6, 7	Light	8	2 1/4'' x 2 1/4''	2 3/4" x 2 3/4"	3 1/4" x 3 1/4"
8	Med	4	1 1/2'' x 2 1/2''	2'' x 3 1/2''	2 1/2'' x 4 1/2''
9	Light	1	3 1/2'' x 3 1/2''	5'' x 5''	6 1/2'' x 6 1/2''
10, 11 12, 13	Med	4	1 1/2'' x 1 1/2''	2'' x 2''	2 1/2'' x 2 1/2''
Unfinished Block Size			7 1/2''	11''	14 1/2''
Grid Size			1''	1 1/2''	2''

Step 2: Assemble the units for a Calgary Stampede

HST - 8-at-a-time technique

Make 8

Make 8

Mark the backside of the lighter #3 patch.

Option 1: Draw two diagonal lines between each pair of diagonal corners. Each line is 1/4" away from the center diagonal. (Shown below) Use an open toe applique foot to stitch on all four lines. I prefer the open toe applique foot for this method.

Option 2: Draw a single diagonal line from corner to corner. Stitch 1/4" away from both sides of each line. Use your favorite 1/4" foot for stitching.

The marking should be just dark enough for you to easily see at your sewing machine. I used Option 1 this time.

Corner Units

Make 4

Make 4

Choose the HSTs and #4 squares so that the directional print runs from top to bottom.

It's simply a matter of turning the patches to position the design. Double check right before sewing to avoid having to rip anything out.

Flying Geese - 4-at-a-time technique

Make 8

Make 8

Since we need eight FG for our Calgary Stampede, we'll use the 4-at-a-time method to quickly piece them. 

For more detailed instructions in this 4-at-a-time technique, click here. This link opens in a new page to make it easier to come back to the spot in the tutorial.

With RST, layer #6/#7 squares in opposite diagonal corners of the larger #5.

I pin to hold everything in place, with the pins far enough outside the stitching area so they needn't be removed as I sew.

Draw a line 1/4" away from both sides of the center diagonal (shown below). I like to use the Quick Quarter ruler for this and prefer to mark this after the #6s are layered with the larger square. 

To reduce bulk at the point of our Geese, I mark the opposite  diagonal on just the small squares (red arrow below), the cut on that marking through the two #6s to remove their overlapping points (blue arrow below).

Sides

Make 4

Make 4

Using the Flying Geese we just made, sew one to each long side of a #8 rectangle, point in.

SA are pressed toward the #8 rectangle.

Repeat for a total of four.

Center - Connector Corners (AKA Sew and Flip technique)

Make 1

Make 1

On the wrong side of the 10, 11, 12 and 13 squares, mark the diagonal between one pair of opposite corners. It should only be as dark as you need to see it. 

With RST, position a marked square in each corner of #9, aligning the raw edges. The marking touches two adjacent edges.

For a directional print: The 'top' of the print on the top two corners is toward the middle. For the lower two corners, the 'top' of the print is at the edges of the bigger #9 square.

If you're using a directional print like I'm using in the sample, note the positioning of the #9 corner patches.

Step 3: Assemble your Calgary Stampede quilt block

Time to arrange all our patches into the Calgary Stampede design. The little 'tulips' in the corners point out toward the corners.

The remaining 5 units are foolproof to position.

Looking for something truly stellar?

You've finished your star quilt block, and you're ready for more!

Browse our collection of 50+ stellar star quilt block patterns. All have instructions and cutting charts in multiple sizes. If templates or paper piecing is used in the tutorial, there's a free download for you of those materials.

Eeny. Meenie. Miney. Moe.

Which star quilt block will you sew?

For EVEN MORE blocks to make, visit our Free Quilt Block Pattern Library, with over 220+ blocks to choose from in multiple sizes.

Free downloads are included in all sizes for any blocks require paper piecing patterns or templates.

What about a different quilt block?

For a list of all the 215+ quilt block patterns on this site, start here.

If you know the name of the block, shorten your search by using these links:

A-D

E-M

N-Z

Click here if you're looking for blocks with at least some paper piecing.

Click here if you're looking for the basic building blocks of quilting, i.e., Flying Geese, half square triangles, quarter square triangles, etc., along with several techniques to make each.

And finally, use these links to find blocks in these finished sizes:

• 4"

• 4-1/2"

• 5"

• 6"

• 8"

• 9"

• 10"

• 12"

This article was printed from Generations-Quilt-Patterns.com

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