SeeMyQuilt
Chains & crosses · Confident beginner

Duck and Ducklings quilt block

A cross of background strips with a center square. Each corner unit is one large triangle pointing at the center with a small triangle behind it.

Duck and Ducklings: main and background. A 5 × 5 grid.

Cutting chart by block size

5" Duck and Ducklings (cut for one block)

FabricCutSizeThen
Main2 squares2 7/8" × 2 7/8"4 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Main2 squares1 7/8" × 1 7/8"4 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Main1 square1 1/2" × 1 1/2"–
Background4 rectangles2 1/2" × 1 1/2"–
Background6 squares1 7/8" × 1 7/8"12 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)

7 1/2" Duck and Ducklings (cut for one block)

FabricCutSizeThen
Main2 squares3 7/8" × 3 7/8"4 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Main2 squares2 3/8" × 2 3/8"4 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Main1 square2" × 2"–
Background4 rectangles3 1/2" × 2"–
Background6 squares2 3/8" × 2 3/8"12 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)

10" Duck and Ducklings (cut for one block)

FabricCutSizeThen
Main2 squares4 7/8" × 4 7/8"4 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Main2 squares2 7/8" × 2 7/8"4 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Main1 square2 1/2" × 2 1/2"–
Background4 rectangles4 1/2" × 2 1/2"–
Background6 squares2 7/8" × 2 7/8"12 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)

15" Duck and Ducklings (cut for one block)

FabricCutSizeThen
Main2 squares6 7/8" × 6 7/8"4 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Main2 squares3 7/8" × 3 7/8"4 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Main1 square3 1/2" × 3 1/2"–
Background4 rectangles6 1/2" × 3 1/2"–
Background6 squares3 7/8" × 3 7/8"12 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)

How to make a 15" Duck and Ducklings block

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

Yardage for a Duck and Ducklings quilt (15" blocks)

Quilt sizeBlocksFinished sizeMainBackgroundBorder & bindingBacking
Baby2 × 3 (6)36" × 51"7/8 yd1 yd1 yd3 1/2 yd
Lap3 × 4 (12)51" × 66"1 3/8 yd1 7/8 yd1 1/8 yd4 1/4 yd
Throw4 × 4 (16)66" × 66"2 yd2 3/8 yd1 3/8 yd4 1/4 yd
Twin4 × 6 (24)66" × 96"2 1/2 yd3 1/2 yd1 1/2 yd6 yd
Queen6 × 6 (36)96" × 96"3 7/8 yd5 1/4 yd1 7/8 yd8 3/4 yd
King7 × 7 (49)111" × 111"5 3/8 yd7 1/8 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" Duck and Ducklings 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 Duck and Ducklings 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 Duck and Ducklings 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 15 inch Duck and Ducklings?

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

How many Duck and Ducklings 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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