SeeMyQuilt
Classics · Intermediate

Cups and Saucers quilt block

A center square with a pair of flying geese on each side, set base to base, and a large half-square triangle in each corner.

Cups and Saucers: main, background and accent. A 6 × 6 grid.

Cutting chart by block size

6" Cups and Saucers (cut for one block)

FabricCutSizeThen
Main2 squares2 7/8" × 2 7/8"4 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Main8 squares1 7/8" × 1 7/8"16 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Background1 square3 1/4" × 3 1/4"4 triangles (cut twice on the diagonal)
Background2 squares2 7/8" × 2 7/8"4 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Accent1 square3 1/4" × 3 1/4"4 triangles (cut twice on the diagonal)
Accent1 square2 1/2" × 2 1/2"–

9" Cups and Saucers (cut for one block)

FabricCutSizeThen
Main2 squares3 7/8" × 3 7/8"4 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Main8 squares2 3/8" × 2 3/8"16 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Background1 square4 1/4" × 4 1/4"4 triangles (cut twice on the diagonal)
Background2 squares3 7/8" × 3 7/8"4 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Accent1 square4 1/4" × 4 1/4"4 triangles (cut twice on the diagonal)
Accent1 square3 1/2" × 3 1/2"–

12" Cups and Saucers (cut for one block)

FabricCutSizeThen
Main2 squares4 7/8" × 4 7/8"4 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Main8 squares2 7/8" × 2 7/8"16 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Background1 square5 1/4" × 5 1/4"4 triangles (cut twice on the diagonal)
Background2 squares4 7/8" × 4 7/8"4 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Accent1 square5 1/4" × 5 1/4"4 triangles (cut twice on the diagonal)
Accent1 square4 1/2" × 4 1/2"–

15" Cups and Saucers (cut for one block)

FabricCutSizeThen
Main2 squares5 7/8" × 5 7/8"4 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Main8 squares3 3/8" × 3 3/8"16 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Background1 square6 1/4" × 6 1/4"4 triangles (cut twice on the diagonal)
Background2 squares5 7/8" × 5 7/8"4 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Accent1 square6 1/4" × 6 1/4"4 triangles (cut twice on the diagonal)
Accent1 square5 1/2" × 5 1/2"–

How to make a 15" Cups and Saucers block

  1. Cut the pieces in the chart above. All measurements include a 1/4" seam allowance.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. Join the rows. The block should measure 15 1/2" now and 15" once it is sewn into the quilt.

Yardage for a Cups and Saucers quilt (15" blocks)

Quilt sizeBlocksFinished sizeMainBackgroundAccentBorder & bindingBacking
Baby2 × 3 (6)36" × 51"7/8 yd5/8 yd3/8 yd1 yd3 1/2 yd
Lap3 × 4 (12)51" × 66"1 5/8 yd1 1/8 yd3/4 yd1 1/8 yd4 1/4 yd
Throw4 × 4 (16)66" × 66"2 1/8 yd1 1/2 yd1 1/8 yd1 3/8 yd4 1/4 yd
Twin4 × 6 (24)66" × 96"3 yd2 1/8 yd1 1/2 yd1 1/2 yd6 yd
Queen6 × 6 (36)96" × 96"4 1/2 yd3 1/8 yd2 1/4 yd1 7/8 yd8 3/4 yd
King7 × 7 (49)111" × 111"6 yd4 1/4 yd3 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" Cups and Saucers 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 Cups and Saucers 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 Cups and Saucers 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 Cups and Saucers?

2 main squares at 5 7/8" × 5 7/8"; 8 main squares at 3 3/8" × 3 3/8"; 1 background square at 6 1/4" × 6 1/4"; 2 background squares at 5 7/8" × 5 7/8"; 1 accent square at 6 1/4" × 6 1/4"; 1 accent square at 5 1/2" × 5 1/2".

How many Cups and Saucers blocks for a lap quilt?

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

More classics blocks