SeeMyQuilt
Classics · Confident beginner

Nelson's Victory quilt block

A pinwheel of four half-square triangles in two fabrics, with two plain squares on each side and a background square in each corner.

Nelson's Victory: main, background and accent. A 4 × 4 grid.

Cutting chart by block size

6" Nelson's Victory (cut for one block)

FabricCutSizeThen
Main2 squares2 3/8" × 2 3/8"4 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Main4 squares2" × 2"–
Background4 squares2" × 2"–
Accent2 squares2 3/8" × 2 3/8"4 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Accent4 squares2" × 2"–

8" Nelson's Victory (cut for one block)

FabricCutSizeThen
Main2 squares2 7/8" × 2 7/8"4 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Main4 squares2 1/2" × 2 1/2"–
Background4 squares2 1/2" × 2 1/2"–
Accent2 squares2 7/8" × 2 7/8"4 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Accent4 squares2 1/2" × 2 1/2"–

10" Nelson's Victory (cut for one block)

FabricCutSizeThen
Main2 squares3 3/8" × 3 3/8"4 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Main4 squares3" × 3"–
Background4 squares3" × 3"–
Accent2 squares3 3/8" × 3 3/8"4 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Accent4 squares3" × 3"–

12" Nelson's Victory (cut for one block)

FabricCutSizeThen
Main2 squares3 7/8" × 3 7/8"4 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Main4 squares3 1/2" × 3 1/2"–
Background4 squares3 1/2" × 3 1/2"–
Accent2 squares3 7/8" × 3 7/8"4 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Accent4 squares3 1/2" × 3 1/2"–

How to make a 12" Nelson's Victory 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 4 × 4 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 12 1/2" now and 12" once it is sewn into the quilt.

Yardage for a Nelson's Victory quilt (12" blocks)

Quilt sizeBlocksFinished sizeMainBackgroundAccentBorder & bindingBacking
Baby3 × 4 (12)42" × 54"7/8 yd1/2 yd7/8 yd1 yd3 1/2 yd
Lap4 × 5 (20)54" × 66"1 1/4 yd3/4 yd1 1/4 yd1 1/8 yd4 1/4 yd
Throw5 × 6 (30)66" × 78"1 7/8 yd1 1/8 yd1 7/8 yd1 3/8 yd5 yd
Twin6 × 8 (48)78" × 102"3 yd1 3/4 yd3 yd1 3/4 yd9 1/4 yd
Queen8 × 8 (64)102" × 102"4 yd2 3/8 yd4 yd1 7/8 yd9 1/4 yd
King9 × 9 (81)114" × 114"5 yd3 yd5 yd2 1/8 yd10 1/4 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 12" Nelson's Victory blocks in each setting.

SettingBlocksFinished sizeExtra fabric
Side by side3066" × 78"–
With sashing2060" × 74"Sashing 7/8 yd, Cornerstones 1/8 yd
Alternating plain blocks15 pieced + 15 plain66" × 78"Plain blocks 2 yd
On point1857" × 74"Setting triangles 1 1/2 yd

See Nelson's Victory 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 Nelson's Victory 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 12 inch Nelson's Victory?

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

How many Nelson's Victory blocks for a lap quilt?

20 blocks at 12", set 4 by 5 with a 3" border, make a 54" × 66" quilt.

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