SeeMyQuilt
Classics · Intermediate · 16" finished

16 inch Philadelphia Pavement quilt block

Cutting chart, piecing steps and yardage for a Philadelphia Pavement block that finishes at 16". The block is a 8 × 8 grid and each cell finishes at 2".

Finished block 16" × 16". Unfinished 16 1/2" × 16 1/2".

Cutting chart 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 piece it

  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 quilt of 16" Philadelphia Pavement 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.

What a lap quilt looks like

3 × 3 blocks, 54" × 54" with border.

This diagram uses plain colors. To see the quilt in your own fabrics, with sashing or on point, use the tool below: tap a fabric and choose a photo.

See it 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

What do I cut for a 16 inch Philadelphia Pavement block?

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".

What size is the block before it is sewn into the quilt?

16 1/2" square. It finishes at 16" once the seams on all four sides are sewn.

How much fabric for a throw quilt of 16 inch Philadelphia Pavement blocks?

12 blocks make a 54" × 70" quilt. Buy 1 yd of main, 1 3/4 yd of background, 7/8 yd of accent and 1 1/4 yd of border & binding, plus 4 1/2 yd for the backing.