Pinwheels & triangles · Confident beginner

Big Dipper quilt block

Four hourglass units, every other one given a quarter turn.

Big Dipper: main and background. A 2 × 2 grid.

Cutting chart by block size

Fabric	Cut	Size	Then
Main	2 squares	4 1/4" × 4 1/4"	8 triangles (cut twice on the diagonal)
Background	2 squares	4 1/4" × 4 1/4"	8 triangles (cut twice on the diagonal)

Fabric	Cut	Size	Then
Main	2 squares	5 1/4" × 5 1/4"	8 triangles (cut twice on the diagonal)
Background	2 squares	5 1/4" × 5 1/4"	8 triangles (cut twice on the diagonal)

Fabric	Cut	Size	Then
Main	2 squares	5 3/4" × 5 3/4"	8 triangles (cut twice on the diagonal)
Background	2 squares	5 3/4" × 5 3/4"	8 triangles (cut twice on the diagonal)

Fabric	Cut	Size	Then
Main	2 squares	7 1/4" × 7 1/4"	8 triangles (cut twice on the diagonal)
Background	2 squares	7 1/4" × 7 1/4"	8 triangles (cut twice on the diagonal)

Cut the pieces in the chart above. All measurements include a 1/4" seam allowance.
Cut the squares marked "cut twice" on both diagonals. Each gives four triangles with the long edge on the straight grain: these are the large triangles in flying geese and hourglass units.
Lay all the pieces out as in the diagram. The block is a 2 × 2 grid, and each cell finishes at 6". Sew neighbouring pieces into sections, then the sections into rows, pressing seams in opposite directions from row to row.
Join the rows. The block should measure 12 1/2" now and 12" once it is sewn into the quilt.

Yardage for a Big Dipper quilt (12" blocks)

Quilt size	Blocks	Finished size	Main	Background	Border & binding	Backing
Baby	3 × 4 (12)	42" × 54"	1 1/8 yd	1 1/8 yd	1 yd	3 1/2 yd
Lap	4 × 5 (20)	54" × 66"	1 7/8 yd	1 7/8 yd	1 1/8 yd	4 1/4 yd
Throw	5 × 6 (30)	66" × 78"	2 3/4 yd	2 3/4 yd	1 3/8 yd	5 yd
Twin	6 × 8 (48)	78" × 102"	4 1/2 yd	4 1/2 yd	1 3/4 yd	9 1/4 yd
Queen	8 × 8 (64)	102" × 102"	5 7/8 yd	5 7/8 yd	1 7/8 yd	9 1/4 yd
King	9 × 9 (81)	114" × 114"	7 3/8 yd	7 3/8 yd	2 1/8 yd	10 1/4 yd

Blocks side by side with a 3" border, 2 1/2" binding, 42" usable width and 10% extra.

A throw quilt of 12" Big Dipper blocks in each setting.

Setting	Blocks	Finished size	Extra fabric
Side by side	30	66" × 78"	–
With sashing	20	60" × 74"	Sashing 7/8 yd, Cornerstones 1/8 yd
Alternating plain blocks	15 pieced + 15 plain	66" × 78"	Plain blocks 2 yd
On point	18	57" × 74"	Setting triangles 1 1/2 yd

1. Your fabrics (tap a fabric, then choose a sample or your own photo)

2. Block

3. Quilt size

4. Block size

5. Setting

Border

Fabric	Yardage	Cut

Based on 42" usable fabric width, 1/4" seams and 10% extra. Your photos stay on your device.

How many fabrics does a Big Dipper block need?

Two: main and background. Choose a main fabric that contrasts clearly with the background so the design reads from a distance.

What size pieces do I cut for a 12 inch Big Dipper?

2 main squares at 7 1/4" × 7 1/4"; 2 background squares at 7 1/4" × 7 1/4".

How many Big Dipper blocks for a lap quilt?

20 blocks at 12", set 4 by 5 with a 3" border, make a 54" × 66" quilt.

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