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Classics · Intermediate

Philadelphia Pavement quilt block

A nine patch with half-square triangles in its corners, framed by strips with a small square at each corner.

Philadelphia Pavement: main, background and accent. A 8 × 8 grid.

Cutting chart by block size

8" Philadelphia Pavement (cut for one block)

FabricCutSizeThen
Main2 squares2 7/8" × 2 7/8"4 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Main1 square2 1/2" × 2 1/2"–
Main4 squares1 1/2" × 1 1/2"–
Background4 rectangles6 1/2" × 1 1/2"–
Background2 squares2 7/8" × 2 7/8"4 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Accent4 squares2 1/2" × 2 1/2"–

12" Philadelphia Pavement (cut for one block)

FabricCutSizeThen
Main2 squares3 7/8" × 3 7/8"4 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Main1 square3 1/2" × 3 1/2"–
Main4 squares2" × 2"–
Background4 rectangles9 1/2" × 2"–
Background2 squares3 7/8" × 3 7/8"4 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Accent4 squares3 1/2" × 3 1/2"–

16" Philadelphia Pavement (cut for one block)

FabricCutSizeThen
Main2 squares4 7/8" × 4 7/8"4 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Main1 square4 1/2" × 4 1/2"–
Main4 squares2 1/2" × 2 1/2"–
Background4 rectangles12 1/2" × 2 1/2"–
Background2 squares4 7/8" × 4 7/8"4 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Accent4 squares4 1/2" × 4 1/2"–

How to make a 16" Philadelphia Pavement 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 8 × 8 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 16 1/2" now and 16" once it is sewn into the quilt.

Yardage for a Philadelphia Pavement quilt (16" blocks)

Quilt sizeBlocksFinished sizeMainBackgroundAccentBorder & bindingBacking
Baby2 × 3 (6)38" × 54"5/8 yd1 yd1/2 yd1 yd3 1/2 yd
Lap3 × 3 (9)54" × 54"7/8 yd1 3/8 yd5/8 yd1 1/8 yd3 1/2 yd
Throw3 × 4 (12)54" × 70"1 yd1 3/4 yd7/8 yd1 1/4 yd4 1/2 yd
Twin4 × 6 (24)70" × 102"1 7/8 yd3 3/8 yd1 5/8 yd1 3/4 yd6 1/4 yd
Queen6 × 6 (36)102" × 102"2 5/8 yd5 1/8 yd2 1/4 yd1 7/8 yd9 1/4 yd
King6 × 6 (36)102" × 102"2 5/8 yd5 1/8 yd2 1/4 yd1 7/8 yd9 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 16" Philadelphia Pavement blocks in each setting.

SettingBlocksFinished sizeExtra fabric
Side by side1254" × 70"–
With sashing1258" × 76"Sashing 3/4 yd, Cornerstones 1/8 yd
Alternating plain blocks6 pieced + 6 plain54" × 70"Plain blocks 1 5/8 yd
On point851 3/8" × 74"Setting triangles 1 7/8 yd

See Philadelphia Pavement 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 Philadelphia Pavement 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 16 inch Philadelphia Pavement?

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

How many Philadelphia Pavement blocks for a lap quilt?

9 blocks at 16", set 3 by 3 with a 3" border, make a 54" × 54" quilt.

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