Housetop quilt block
A center square with three rounds of strips, each round in one fabric, so the block reads as squares inside squares.
Cutting chart by block size
7" Housetop (cut for one block)
| Fabric | Cut | Size | Then |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main | 2 rectangles | 5 1/2" × 1 1/2" | – |
| Main | 2 rectangles | 3 1/2" × 1 1/2" | – |
| Background | 2 rectangles | 3 1/2" × 1 1/2" | – |
| Background | 2 squares | 1 1/2" × 1 1/2" | – |
| Accent | 1 square | 1 1/2" × 1 1/2" | – |
| Fabric 4 | 2 rectangles | 7 1/2" × 1 1/2" | – |
| Fabric 4 | 2 rectangles | 5 1/2" × 1 1/2" | – |
10 1/2" Housetop (cut for one block)
| Fabric | Cut | Size | Then |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main | 2 rectangles | 8" × 2" | – |
| Main | 2 rectangles | 5" × 2" | – |
| Background | 2 rectangles | 5" × 2" | – |
| Background | 2 squares | 2" × 2" | – |
| Accent | 1 square | 2" × 2" | – |
| Fabric 4 | 2 rectangles | 11" × 2" | – |
| Fabric 4 | 2 rectangles | 8" × 2" | – |
14" Housetop (cut for one block)
| Fabric | Cut | Size | Then |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main | 2 rectangles | 10 1/2" × 2 1/2" | – |
| Main | 2 rectangles | 6 1/2" × 2 1/2" | – |
| Background | 2 rectangles | 6 1/2" × 2 1/2" | – |
| Background | 2 squares | 2 1/2" × 2 1/2" | – |
| Accent | 1 square | 2 1/2" × 2 1/2" | – |
| Fabric 4 | 2 rectangles | 14 1/2" × 2 1/2" | – |
| Fabric 4 | 2 rectangles | 10 1/2" × 2 1/2" | – |
How to make a 14" Housetop block
- Cut the pieces in the chart above. All measurements include a 1/4" seam allowance.
- Lay all the pieces out as in the diagram. The block is a 7 × 7 grid, and each cell finishes at 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 14 1/2" now and 14" once it is sewn into the quilt.
Yardage for a Housetop quilt (14" blocks)
| Quilt size | Blocks | Finished size | Main | Background | Accent | Fabric 4 | Border & binding | Backing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baby | 2 × 3 (6) | 34" × 48" | 1/2 yd | 1/4 yd | 1/8 yd | 3/4 yd | 7/8 yd | 1 3/4 yd |
| Lap | 3 × 4 (12) | 48" × 62" | 7/8 yd | 1/2 yd | 1/8 yd | 1 3/8 yd | 1 1/8 yd | 4 yd |
| Throw | 4 × 5 (20) | 62" × 76" | 1 3/8 yd | 7/8 yd | 1/4 yd | 2 3/8 yd | 1 3/8 yd | 4 3/4 yd |
| Twin | 5 × 6 (30) | 76" × 90" | 2 yd | 1 1/8 yd | 1/4 yd | 3 1/2 yd | 1 5/8 yd | 5 1/2 yd |
| Queen | 6 × 6 (36) | 90" × 90" | 2 3/8 yd | 1 3/8 yd | 1/4 yd | 4 1/8 yd | 1 3/4 yd | 8 1/4 yd |
| King | 7 × 7 (49) | 104" × 104" | 3 1/4 yd | 1 7/8 yd | 3/8 yd | 5 3/4 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.
Four ways to set it
A throw quilt of 14" Housetop blocks in each setting.
| Setting | Blocks | Finished size | Extra fabric |
|---|---|---|---|
| Side by side | 20 | 62" × 76" | – |
| With sashing | 16 | 68" × 68" | Sashing 1 yd, Cornerstones 1/8 yd |
| Alternating plain blocks | 10 pieced + 10 plain | 62" × 76" | Plain blocks 2 1/4 yd |
| On point | 13 | 65 1/2" × 65 1/2" | Setting triangles 1 5/8 yd |
See Housetop 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 Housetop block need?
Four: main, background, accent and fabric 4. 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 14 inch Housetop?
2 main rectangles at 10 1/2" × 2 1/2"; 2 main rectangles at 6 1/2" × 2 1/2"; 2 background rectangles at 6 1/2" × 2 1/2"; 2 background squares at 2 1/2" × 2 1/2"; 1 accent square at 2 1/2" × 2 1/2"; 2 fabric 4 rectangles at 14 1/2" × 2 1/2"; 2 fabric 4 rectangles at 10 1/2" × 2 1/2".
How many Housetop blocks for a lap quilt?
12 blocks at 14", set 3 by 4 with a 3" border, make a 48" × 62" quilt.
More strips & logs blocks

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