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Strips & logs · Beginner

Courthouse Steps quilt block

A log cabin variation with logs added to opposite sides in pairs.

Courthouse Steps: main, background, accent, fabric 4 and fabric 5. A 5 × 5 grid.

Cutting chart by block size

5" Courthouse Steps (cut for one block)

FabricCutSizeThen
Main2 rectangles3 1/2" × 1 1/2"–
Background2 squares1 1/2" × 1 1/2"–
Accent1 square1 1/2" × 1 1/2"–
Fabric 42 rectangles3 1/2" × 1 1/2"–
Fabric 52 rectangles5 1/2" × 1 1/2"–

7 1/2" Courthouse Steps (cut for one block)

FabricCutSizeThen
Main2 rectangles5" × 2"–
Background2 squares2" × 2"–
Accent1 square2" × 2"–
Fabric 42 rectangles5" × 2"–
Fabric 52 rectangles8" × 2"–

10" Courthouse Steps (cut for one block)

FabricCutSizeThen
Main2 rectangles6 1/2" × 2 1/2"–
Background2 squares2 1/2" × 2 1/2"–
Accent1 square2 1/2" × 2 1/2"–
Fabric 42 rectangles6 1/2" × 2 1/2"–
Fabric 52 rectangles10 1/2" × 2 1/2"–

15" Courthouse Steps (cut for one block)

FabricCutSizeThen
Main2 rectangles9 1/2" × 3 1/2"–
Background2 squares3 1/2" × 3 1/2"–
Accent1 square3 1/2" × 3 1/2"–
Fabric 42 rectangles9 1/2" × 3 1/2"–
Fabric 52 rectangles15 1/2" × 3 1/2"–

How to make a 15" Courthouse Steps block

  1. Cut the pieces in the chart above. All measurements include a 1/4" seam allowance.
  2. Lay all the pieces out as in the diagram. The block is a 5 × 5 grid, and each cell finishes at 3". Sew neighbouring pieces into sections, then the sections into rows, pressing seams in opposite directions from row to row.
  3. Join the rows. The block should measure 15 1/2" now and 15" once it is sewn into the quilt.

Yardage for a Courthouse Steps quilt (15" blocks)

Quilt sizeBlocksFinished sizeMainBackgroundAccentFabric 4Fabric 5Border & bindingBacking
Baby2 × 3 (6)36" × 51"3/8 yd1/8 yd1/8 yd3/8 yd3/4 yd1 yd3 1/2 yd
Lap3 × 4 (12)51" × 66"3/4 yd1/4 yd1/8 yd3/4 yd1 3/8 yd1 1/8 yd4 1/4 yd
Throw4 × 4 (16)66" × 66"7/8 yd3/8 yd1/4 yd7/8 yd1 3/4 yd1 3/8 yd4 1/4 yd
Twin4 × 6 (24)66" × 96"1 3/8 yd1/2 yd1/4 yd1 3/8 yd2 5/8 yd1 1/2 yd6 yd
Queen6 × 6 (36)96" × 96"2 yd3/4 yd3/8 yd2 yd3 7/8 yd1 7/8 yd8 3/4 yd
King7 × 7 (49)111" × 111"2 3/4 yd1 yd5/8 yd2 3/4 yd5 1/4 yd2 1/8 yd10 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" Courthouse Steps blocks in each setting.

SettingBlocksFinished sizeExtra fabric
Side by side1666" × 66"–
With sashing1255" × 72"Sashing 3/4 yd, Cornerstones 1/8 yd
Alternating plain blocks8 pieced + 8 plain66" × 66"Plain blocks 2 yd
On point1369 3/4" × 69 3/4"Setting triangles 1 3/4 yd

See Courthouse Steps in your own fabrics

1. Your fabrics (tap a fabric, then choose a sample or your own photo)
2. Block
3. Quilt size
4. Block size
5. Setting

What to buy

FabricYardageCut

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

Questions

How many fabrics does a Courthouse Steps block need?

Five: main, background, accent, fabric 4 and fabric 5. 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 Courthouse Steps?

2 main rectangles at 9 1/2" × 3 1/2"; 2 background squares at 3 1/2" × 3 1/2"; 1 accent square at 3 1/2" × 3 1/2"; 2 fabric 4 rectangles at 9 1/2" × 3 1/2"; 2 fabric 5 rectangles at 15 1/2" × 3 1/2".

How many Courthouse Steps blocks for a lap quilt?

12 blocks at 15", set 3 by 4 with a 3" border, make a 51" × 66" quilt.

More strips & logs blocks

Five-Rail FenceLog Cabin, Two RoundsTwo-Tone Courthouse StepsTwo-Tone Half Log CabinTwo-Tone Log Cabin, Two RoundsBasket WeaveChinese CoinsFour-Rail FenceHalf Log CabinRail Fence, Four UnitsAll 220 blocks