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Classics · Intermediate

Lincoln's Platform quilt block

Four large half-square triangles separated by sashing with a center square, inside a border of alternating dark and light squares.

Lincoln's Platform: main and background. A 7 × 7 grid.

Cutting chart by block size

7" Lincoln's Platform (cut for one block)

FabricCutSizeThen
Main2 squares2 7/8" × 2 7/8"4 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Main13 squares1 1/2" × 1 1/2"–
Background2 squares2 7/8" × 2 7/8"4 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Background4 rectangles2 1/2" × 1 1/2"–
Background12 squares1 1/2" × 1 1/2"–

10 1/2" Lincoln's Platform (cut for one block)

FabricCutSizeThen
Main2 squares3 7/8" × 3 7/8"4 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Main13 squares2" × 2"–
Background2 squares3 7/8" × 3 7/8"4 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Background4 rectangles3 1/2" × 2"–
Background12 squares2" × 2"–

14" Lincoln's Platform (cut for one block)

FabricCutSizeThen
Main2 squares4 7/8" × 4 7/8"4 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Main13 squares2 1/2" × 2 1/2"–
Background2 squares4 7/8" × 4 7/8"4 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Background4 rectangles4 1/2" × 2 1/2"–
Background12 squares2 1/2" × 2 1/2"–

How to make a 14" Lincoln's Platform 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 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.
  4. Join the rows. The block should measure 14 1/2" now and 14" once it is sewn into the quilt.

Yardage for a Lincoln's Platform quilt (14" blocks)

Quilt sizeBlocksFinished sizeMainBackgroundBorder & bindingBacking
Baby2 × 3 (6)34" × 48"3/4 yd1 yd7/8 yd1 3/4 yd
Lap3 × 4 (12)48" × 62"1 1/4 yd1 5/8 yd1 1/8 yd4 yd
Throw4 × 5 (20)62" × 76"2 1/8 yd2 5/8 yd1 3/8 yd4 3/4 yd
Twin5 × 6 (30)76" × 90"3 1/8 yd4 1/8 yd1 5/8 yd5 1/2 yd
Queen6 × 6 (36)90" × 90"3 3/4 yd4 3/4 yd1 3/4 yd8 1/4 yd
King7 × 7 (49)104" × 104"5 yd6 1/2 yd2 yd9 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" Lincoln's Platform blocks in each setting.

SettingBlocksFinished sizeExtra fabric
Side by side2062" × 76"–
With sashing1668" × 68"Sashing 1 yd, Cornerstones 1/8 yd
Alternating plain blocks10 pieced + 10 plain62" × 76"Plain blocks 2 1/4 yd
On point1365 1/2" × 65 1/2"Setting triangles 1 5/8 yd

See Lincoln's Platform 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 Lincoln's Platform 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 14 inch Lincoln's Platform?

2 main squares at 4 7/8" × 4 7/8"; 13 main squares at 2 1/2" × 2 1/2"; 2 background squares at 4 7/8" × 4 7/8"; 4 background rectangles at 4 1/2" × 2 1/2"; 12 background squares at 2 1/2" × 2 1/2".

How many Lincoln's Platform blocks for a lap quilt?

12 blocks at 14", set 3 by 4 with a 3" border, make a 48" × 62" quilt.

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