Massachusetts Quilt Block

From our Free Quilt Block Patterns Library

by Julie Baird

Skill Level: Confident Beginner

Grid: 3x3

The Massachusetts quilt block is a variation of the Ohio Star block. Using an imaginary line from the upper left to the lower right corners, each side of the block is a mirror image of the other.

For a successful block, use high contrast fabrics. For the sample block I'll use the complementary colors of blue and orange for drama.

The pieces of the Massachusetts block are very basic, but it does get a bit confusing when you're ready to stitch the block together. Quite frankly it looks like a mess until all the seams are sewn.

But we won't let that stop us. Let's get to the quilting!

General Instructions

Sample Block: 7-1/2" (8" unfinished)

Grid: 2-1/2"

These abbreviations are used in this tutorial:

SA - seam allowance
RST - right sides together
HST - half square triangle
QST - quarter square triangle

SA are 1/4" and pressed toward the darker fabric unless noted otherwise.

When you are instructed to press, first press the pieced unit flat to set the seam. Then open the patch, pressing from the front.

Step 1: Cutting patches for a Massachusetts block

Massachusetts design

Patches are cut based on the Quick Pieced method for HST and the Sandwich technique for QST.

I prefer to use over-sized squares for both QSTs and HSTs, stitch the unit and then trim to the perfect size. QST patches are marked with ***, HST patches are marked with **.

There is another chart later in the instructions that provides the size to trim these units.

			Cutting Chart for a Massachusetts Quilt Block ~Traditional Piecing ~
Patch	Fabric	Qty	Finished Block Size
Patch	Fabric	Qty	4½"	6"	7½"	9"	12"
1**	L	2	2⅜" x 2⅜"	2⅞" x 2⅞"	3⅜" x 3⅜"	3⅞" x 3⅞"	4⅞" x 4⅞"
2**	D	2	2⅜" x 2⅜"	2⅞" x 2⅞"	3⅜" x 3⅜"	3⅞" x 3⅞"	4⅞" x 4⅞"
3***	L	2	2¾" x 2¾"	3¼" x 3¼"	3¾" x 3¾"	4¼" x 4¼"	5¼" x 5¼"
4***	D	2	2¾" x 2¾"	3¼" x 3¼"	3¾" x 3¾"	4¼" x 4¼"	5¼" x 5¼"
5	L	1	2" x 2"	2½" x 2½"	3" x 3"	3½" x 3½"	4½" x 4½"
6	D	1	2" x 2"	2½" x 2½"	3" x 3"	3½" x 3½"	4½" x 4½"
Unfinished Block Size			5"	6½"	8"	9½"	12½"
Grid Size			1½"	2"	2½"	3"	4"
I prefer to use over-sized squares for both quarter and half square triangles, stitch the unit and then trim to the perfect size. QST patches are marked with *, HST patches are marked with .

These are some of the supplies I use to prepare and cut my fabric.

These are the cut patches.

Cut patches for your Massachusetts quilt block

Step 2: Assemble the units

Draw a diagonal line on the back of all four light (orange) squares.

HST

Make 3 - There will be one leftover unit

With RST, layer a light and a dark 3-3/8" square and stitch 1/4" from both sides of your drawn line.

Stitch on each side of the drawn line for both pairs

Cut apart on the drawn line.

Cut the sewn units apart on the drawn line

Press with the seam allowances toward the darker fabric.

Use the chart below to check the accuracy of your sewing. Trim your HST to size as needed.

HST Dimensions
Finished Block Size	Trim HST to…
4-1/2"	2"
6"	2-1/2"
7-1/2"	3"
9"	3-1/2"
12"	4-1/2"

The finished HST—the Massachusetts uses just three of them so one is left untrimmed.

Trim just 3 of the HSTs and save the fourth

For more detailed information on this Quick Piecing technique click here.

QST

Make 4

With RST, layer a light and a dark 3-3/4" square and stitch 1/4" from both sides of the drawn line.

Cut each unit apart on the drawn line and press, with seam allowances towards the dark fabric. Voila! You've just made four half-square triangle units...the first step!

On two of these HSTs, draw a diagonal line that bisects the seam allowance.

Mark the second diagonal line for the QST units

With RST, layer a marked and an unmarked unit and, again, stitch 1/4" from both sides of the line.

Stitch on both sides of the drawn line...again

Notice how the seam allowance points into the presser foot. That
helps to keep the seams matched when I'm not using pins for the job.

Cut apart on the drawn line and press. This time, twirl or spin the seam allowances to reduce bulk in the center of the quarter square triangle (below, right).

Use the chart below to check the accuracy of your sewing. Trim your QST to size as needed.

QST Dimensions
Finished Block Size	Center	Trim QST to…
4-1/2"	1"	2"
6"	1-1/4"	2-1/2"
7-1/2"	1-1/2"	3"
9"	1-3/4"	3-1/2"
12"	2-1/4"	4-1/2"

To trim our 7-1/2" finished Massachusetts block, place the intersection of the 1-1/2" horizontal and vertical line over the center of the QST to trim. The center of the unit is 1-1/2".

For more detailed information on this 'sandwich' method of piecing quarter square triangles and for trimming instructions, click here.

Step 3: Assemble your Massachusetts quilt block

Lay out the HSTs, QSTs and cut squares into the Massachusetts design...remember each side is a mirror image of the other across the diagonal line.

The left and bottom edges of the block are the light (orange fabric) edges of the sewn patches; the top and right are framed by the dark (blue fabric) sides of the patches.

Stitch the patches into rows double checking that they are in the correct order. You may need to rotate a sewn patch 180 degrees in order to get the seam allowances to nest for easier matching.

Press with seam allowances away from the QST-units.

Stitch the rows together.

You may need to reposition a seam allowance or two on the quarter squares as I did. Rotate the patch first to see if that works. Then simply press the long seam in the opposite direction. Easy Peasy!

This is your finished Massachusetts quilt block ready to be pieced into your quilt!