From our Free Quilt Block Patterns Library
Skill Level: Beginner
Grid: 8x8
Our Indian Hatchet quilt block (AKA Indian Hatchets) design is made using the connector corners technique.
No triangles to cut. No bias to contend with...it's just squares.
These connector corners are 3/4 the size of the finished block. Since they overlap, the only place to worry about matching a seam is at the corners of the units.
Truly a beginner friendly block!
If you really want to stretch your stash, you'll learn how to get eight extra half square triangles out of each block. Pretty nifty!
At the end of this page, you'll find design ideas to make your own quilt.
Chop! Chop! It's time to make our Indian Hatchet quilt block.
For the connector corners portion of the block, I prefer to use an open toe applique foot. It provides an unobstructed view of the stitching lines.
When pressing, first press units flat, in the 'unopened' position, to set the seam and meddle the thread into the fibers of your fabric. Then press the seam open.
If you starch your quilt fabric before cutting, you can usually fingerpress most of your seams. Always give your block a final press with the iron.
Try our favorite technique for pressing for truly flat patchwork!
To save space and include more block sizes, all of the measurements in the table below are for cutting squares.
So 4-1/2" means a 4-1/2" square.
The example contains a block with a light #1, but there's no reason you can't swap values between the patches for a different look.
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Cutting Chart for an~ Traditional Piecing ~ | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Patch | Fabric | Qty | Finished Block Size | |||||
4” | 6” | 8” | 9” | 10” | 12” | |||
1 | A | 4 | 2½" | 3½" | 4½" | 5” | 5½" | 6½" |
2 | B | 8 | 2” | 2¾" | 3½" | 3⅞" | 4¼" | 5” |
Unfinished Block Size | 4½" | 6½" | 8½" | 9½" | 10½" | 12½" | ||
Bonus triangles, unfinished size | 1½" | 2¼" | 3” | 3⅜" | 3¾" | 4½" | ||
Grid Size | ½" | ¾" | 1” | 1⅛" | 1¼" | 1½" |
Learn more about my favorite, new quilting tool, the Magic Pressing Mat. A valuable addition to your quilting tools—regardless of the piecing technique you use.
For each Indian Hatchet quilt block, you'll need to make four of the unit to the right.
On the back side of every #2 square, draw a diagonal line, just dark enough so that you can see it. It is the seam line and you don't want your mark to show through to the front of the block.
With right sides together (RST) align two edges of a #1 and #2, positioning #2 as shown below.
Stitch on the line. I like to start and stop on a scrap of fabric—sometimes called a 'bunny tail' or 'spider—so that my machine doesn't chew up the fabric.
Repeat for all four #1s.
Press.
If you find that your #2 edges extend a just smidge past the edge of the #1, give them a little trim so that they're even.
If they fall short of the edge, double check that you've marked the diagonal in the correct place. Try a pencil that makes a finer mark (I like mechanical pencils for that reason). Try sewing on the side of the line closest to the corner to accommodate the turn of the cloth.
There's no need to stress about it because, ultimately, the only place we need to match these blocks when they're set together is at the corners. Sweet!
Let's get back to our Indian Hatchet quilt block. We've got...
There are two options with connector corners. One saves fabric. One doesn't.
If your #2 squares are large enough, you can easily create a bonus half square triangle (HST) from each corner. It's quick, too!
Mark a 1/2" away from the original stitching line. (1/2" gives you a 1/4" inch seam allowance for both units.)
Stitch and press.
Cut between the two stitching lines with your scissors or a rotary cutter.
Voila! Bonus HST!
When our unit is finished, we've got two bonus HST. Store this away for the next time you need scrappy units!
NOTE: In our cutting chart there's a row, 'Bonus triangles, unfinished size'. If you sewed and cut accurately, your triangles will match these measurements.
Having a bunch of HST laying around won't blow everyone's skirt up.
Here our objective is to reduce the bulk created by the connector corner technique. Simply trim away the excess #2 fabric a 1/4" past the original stitching line (closest to the corner).
Press.
After adding both #2 in this manner, you have...
Repeat for the remaining diagonal corner of the #1 square using whichever technique you chose for the bonus triangles.
In the photo below, you can see my ratty-looking spider behind the needle as I add the second #2. Someone told me they were called 'spiders' because they have 'hairy legs'.
So true!
You can easily draw in the line for the bonus triangle at the sewing machine if you choose.
Install your favorite 1/4" foot for the rest of the construction.
Lay out the units. Stitch them into two rows.
Stitch the rows together. Because I choose to cut away only the excess #2, there are extra layers to stitch through. I find I get a better match in the center when I pin.
Give your block a final press.
Your Indian Hatchet quilt block is done!
Seriously. This is a pretty simple block to make.
But what do you do with it?
In this first one, the Indian Hatchet blocks are rotated to form a 'Barn Raising' look. The Indian Hatchet has a strong diagonal just like a Log Cabin block does. The optical illusion of the blocks bowing out is unexpected.
This would be a sweet and simple baby quilt, all X's and O's. It's made from blocks just like in the tutorial, only some have been rotated.
When you look at this last design, can you see a little girl's hairbows? (Tilt your head to the right a little if you can't.)
Use the same fabric in the corners of pairs of different units. To make construction and organization smoother, sew the units, lay them out to your liking and, only then, sew them into blocks.
Much easier to keep both 'loops' of the bow together that way.
You might want to dig into a bigger project. The size of the corners is a bit different, but the block is essentially the same.
You're sure to find the perfect blocks for your next quilt in our Free Quilt Block Patterns library.
Just click the image to the left and go there now.
Strapped for time?
Then Pin It without delay and come back when you have time to indulge your creativity!
These are my go-to resources for quilt block ideas.
Maggie Malone's 5500 Quilt Block Designs is my all-time favorite quilt block resource!
Can you tell?
It's in color.
It's got a ton of blocks.
What's not to love?
Next on my 'must-have' list is Barbara Brackman's Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Patterns.
Unlike the Maggie Malone book, the blocks in this volume are hand-drawn and in black and white—no color—personally, I prefer colored drawings to work with.
This book is no longer in print. If you can come by a copy expect it to be wickedly expensive.
However...
BlockBase is the computerized version of the Encyclopedia.
It can be used with Electric Quilt and is a Windows based program.
Finally there's The Quilter's Album of Patchwork Patterns by Jinny Beyer.
Lots of detail and in color, it is a beautiful volume. That said, I check it out of my local library on a regular basis instead of purchasing it—can you see the library sticker on it's spine. Yep, it's from the Plainfield Public Library.
Why?
Simply because I own the previous three references and find this the least user-friendly of the group.
And it does make a fabulous coffee table book!
...as chosen by our readers.
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