SeeMyQuiltCat's Cradle quilt block
Three plain squares on the diagonal and six pieced units. Each unit is a large background triangle with a small half-square triangle and two small triangles on its long side.
Cutting chart by block size
6" Cat's Cradle (cut for one block)
| Fabric | Cut | Size | Then |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main | 6 squares | 1 7/8" × 1 7/8" | 12 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
| Background | 3 squares | 2 7/8" × 2 7/8" | 6 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
| Background | 3 squares | 2 1/2" × 2 1/2" | – |
| Background | 3 squares | 1 7/8" × 1 7/8" | 6 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
| Accent | 3 squares | 1 7/8" × 1 7/8" | 6 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
9" Cat's Cradle (cut for one block)
| Fabric | Cut | Size | Then |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main | 6 squares | 2 3/8" × 2 3/8" | 12 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
| Background | 3 squares | 3 7/8" × 3 7/8" | 6 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
| Background | 3 squares | 3 1/2" × 3 1/2" | – |
| Background | 3 squares | 2 3/8" × 2 3/8" | 6 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
| Accent | 3 squares | 2 3/8" × 2 3/8" | 6 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
12" Cat's Cradle (cut for one block)
| Fabric | Cut | Size | Then |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main | 6 squares | 2 7/8" × 2 7/8" | 12 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
| Background | 3 squares | 4 7/8" × 4 7/8" | 6 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
| Background | 3 squares | 4 1/2" × 4 1/2" | – |
| Background | 3 squares | 2 7/8" × 2 7/8" | 6 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
| Accent | 3 squares | 2 7/8" × 2 7/8" | 6 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
15" Cat's Cradle (cut for one block)
| Fabric | Cut | Size | Then |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main | 6 squares | 3 3/8" × 3 3/8" | 12 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
| Background | 3 squares | 5 7/8" × 5 7/8" | 6 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
| Background | 3 squares | 5 1/2" × 5 1/2" | – |
| Background | 3 squares | 3 3/8" × 3 3/8" | 6 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
| Accent | 3 squares | 3 3/8" × 3 3/8" | 6 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
How to make a 15" Cat's Cradle block
- Cut the pieces in the chart above. All measurements include a 1/4" seam allowance.
- Cut the squares marked "cut once" in half on the diagonal. Each gives two triangles. Sew them to their neighbours along the long edge first and press toward the darker fabric.
- Lay all the pieces out as in the diagram. The block is a 6 × 6 grid, and each cell finishes at 2 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 15 1/2" now and 15" once it is sewn into the quilt.
Yardage for a Cat's Cradle quilt (15" blocks)
| Quilt size | Blocks | Finished size | Main | Background | Accent | Border & binding | Backing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baby | 2 × 3 (6) | 36" × 51" | 3/8 yd | 1 1/4 yd | 1/4 yd | 1 yd | 3 1/2 yd |
| Lap | 3 × 4 (12) | 51" × 66" | 5/8 yd | 2 1/2 yd | 3/8 yd | 1 1/8 yd | 4 1/4 yd |
| Throw | 4 × 4 (16) | 66" × 66" | 7/8 yd | 2 7/8 yd | 1/2 yd | 1 3/8 yd | 4 1/4 yd |
| Twin | 4 × 6 (24) | 66" × 96" | 1 1/4 yd | 4 1/2 yd | 5/8 yd | 1 1/2 yd | 6 yd |
| Queen | 6 × 6 (36) | 96" × 96" | 1 7/8 yd | 6 1/2 yd | 1 yd | 1 7/8 yd | 8 3/4 yd |
| King | 7 × 7 (49) | 111" × 111" | 2 5/8 yd | 8 3/4 yd | 1 3/8 yd | 2 1/8 yd | 10 yd |
Blocks side by side with a 3" border, 2 1/2" binding, 42" usable width and 10% extra.
Four ways to set it
A throw quilt of 15" Cat's Cradle blocks in each setting.
| Setting | Blocks | Finished size | Extra fabric |
|---|---|---|---|
| Side by side | 16 | 66" × 66" | – |
| With sashing | 12 | 55" × 72" | Sashing 3/4 yd, Cornerstones 1/8 yd |
| Alternating plain blocks | 8 pieced + 8 plain | 66" × 66" | Plain blocks 2 yd |
| On point | 13 | 69 3/4" × 69 3/4" | Setting triangles 1 3/4 yd |
See Cat's Cradle in your own fabrics
What to buy
| Fabric | Yardage | Cut |
|---|
Based on 42" usable fabric width, 1/4" seams and 10% extra. Your photos stay on your device.
Questions
How many fabrics does a Cat's Cradle block need?
Three: main, background and accent. 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 15 inch Cat's Cradle?
6 main squares at 3 3/8" × 3 3/8"; 3 background squares at 5 7/8" × 5 7/8"; 3 background squares at 5 1/2" × 5 1/2"; 3 background squares at 3 3/8" × 3 3/8"; 3 accent squares at 3 3/8" × 3 3/8".
How many Cat's Cradle blocks for a lap quilt?
12 blocks at 15", set 3 by 4 with a 3" border, make a 51" × 66" quilt.
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