Pinwheels & triangles · Confident beginner · 9" finished

9 inch Big Dipper quilt block

Cutting chart, piecing steps and yardage for a Big Dipper block that finishes at 9". The block is a 2 × 2 grid and each cell finishes at 4 1/2".

Finished block 9" × 9". Unfinished 9 1/2" × 9 1/2".

Cutting chart for one block

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)

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 4 1/2". 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 9 1/2" now and 9" once it is sewn into the quilt.

Yardage for a quilt of 9" Big Dipper blocks

Quilt size	Blocks	Finished size	Main	Background	Border & binding	Backing
Baby	3 × 5 (15)	33" × 51"	1 yd	1 yd	7/8 yd	1 3/4 yd
Lap	5 × 6 (30)	51" × 60"	1 5/8 yd	1 5/8 yd	1 1/8 yd	4 yd
Throw	6 × 7 (42)	60" × 69"	2 1/8 yd	2 1/8 yd	1 3/8 yd	4 1/2 yd
Twin	7 × 10 (70)	69" × 96"	3 5/8 yd	3 5/8 yd	1 5/8 yd	6 yd
Queen	10 × 10 (100)	96" × 96"	5 1/8 yd	5 1/8 yd	1 7/8 yd	8 3/4 yd
King	11 × 11 (121)	105" × 105"	6 1/4 yd	6 1/4 yd	2 yd	9 1/2 yd

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

5 × 6 blocks, 51" × 60" with border.

This diagram uses plain colors. To see the quilt in your own fabrics, with sashing or on point, use the tool below: tap a fabric and choose a photo.

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.

What do I cut for a 9 inch Big Dipper block?

2 main squares at 5 3/4" × 5 3/4"; 2 background squares at 5 3/4" × 5 3/4".

What size is the block before it is sewn into the quilt?

9 1/2" square. It finishes at 9" once the seams on all four sides are sewn.

How much fabric for a throw quilt of 9 inch Big Dipper blocks?

42 blocks make a 60" × 69" quilt. Buy 2 1/8 yd of main, 2 1/8 yd of background and 1 3/8 yd of border & binding, plus 4 1/2 yd for the backing.

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