The Scrap Zig Zag Quilt Block

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General Instructions

All seam allowances are 1/4".

The following abbreviations are used in this tutorial:

• SA - seam allowance(s)

• RST - right sides together

• HST - half square triangle(s)

When you are instructed to press, first press the pieced unit flat to set the seam.

Next, open up the patches and press as instructed.

Step 1: Cut the fabric patches

Scrap Zig Zag quilt block design

Sample Size: 6" finished / 6" unfinished

Grid: 4x4

Design Type: Pinwheel

Attribution: Kansas City Star

Patches for the triangle squares are cut based on the Quick Pieced method and are denoted by a **.

I prefer to cut these patches a 1/4" larger, stitch and then trim each to the perfect size.

While a darker background fabric is used for the sample block, you can swap lights and darks.

Choose what works best for your quilt.

			Cutting Chart for a Scrap Zig Zag Quilt Block ~ Traditional Piecing ~
Patch	Fabric	Qty	Finished Block Size
			4''	5"	6''	8"	12''
1**	A	1	1⅞'' x 1⅞''	2⅛'' x 2⅛''	2⅜'' x 2⅜''	2⅞'' x 2⅞''	3⅞'' x 3⅞''
2**	Bac	0	1⅞'' x 1⅞''	2⅛'' x 2⅛''	2⅜'' x 2⅜''	2⅞'' x 2⅞''	3⅞'' x 3⅞''
3	Bac	0	1½'' x 1½''	1¾'' x 1¾''	2'' x 2''	2½'' x 2½''	3½'' x 3½''
4	A	0	1½'' x 2½''	1¾'' x 3''	2'' x 3½''	2½'' x 4½''	3½'' x 6½''
Unfinished Block Size			4½"	5½"	6½"	8½"	12½"
Grid Size			1''	1¼"	1½"	2"	3''
**I prefer to cut my patches extra large for HST, stitch, and then trim them to size. If you prefer to do the same, add a bit extra to the measurements for Patches #1 and #2 above (I added 3/8" to each dimension for the sample block). There is a chart further down in these instructions where you need it for trimming them to size. If you have a perfectly reliable 1/4" seam allowance use the dimensions in the cutting charts for these patches.

These are the cut patches.

Step 2: Construct the units

Half Square Triangles

Make 4

With a pencil or chalk draw a diagonal line from corner to corner on the back of the lighter of either the t#1 or #2 squares.

With RST, pair a #1 and #2. Stitch a quarter inch from both sides of the drawn line.

Stitch the quarters

Make 4

Each quarter of this block is exactly the same.

Sew the #3 square to the #1/#2 half square triangle unit as show below. Press SA toward #3.

Repeat for the three remaining pairs.

To this sewn unit, stitch the #4 rectangle to the side that contains both light and dark patches at the edge.

Press with the seam allowance towards the #4 rectangle.

Repeat for the 3 remaining pairs.

Step 3: Assemble the Scrap Zig Zag Quilt Block

Lay out the sub-units in two rows. Each is rotated a quarter turn as you move clockwise around the block.

Ready for More Blocks?

That was fast!

If you're looking for more fun blocks to make, check out our Free Quilt Block Patterns Library for ideas for your next quilt project.

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For even more blocks to make...

For you, are quilt block patterns like potato chips...

...you can't have just one?!!

Check the amazing resources I rely on for the majority of the quilt block designs you see on this website. 

To see if they're worthy of spot in YOUR quilting library, read about them HERE.

NOTE: All the attribution and alternate names shared in the Free Quilt Block Patterns Library came from these four resources.

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