SeeMyQuilt
Patchwork · Confident beginner

Postage Stamp quilt block

Many small squares of mixed fabrics sewn in rows with no set colour order. A scrap block.

Postage Stamp: main, background, accent, fabric 4, fabric 5, fabric 6, fabric 7 and fabric 8. A 8 × 8 grid.

Cutting chart by block size

8" Postage Stamp (cut for one block)

FabricCutSizeThen
Main8 squares1 1/2" × 1 1/2"–
Background8 squares1 1/2" × 1 1/2"–
Accent8 squares1 1/2" × 1 1/2"–
Fabric 48 squares1 1/2" × 1 1/2"–
Fabric 58 squares1 1/2" × 1 1/2"–
Fabric 68 squares1 1/2" × 1 1/2"–
Fabric 78 squares1 1/2" × 1 1/2"–
Fabric 88 squares1 1/2" × 1 1/2"–

12" Postage Stamp (cut for one block)

FabricCutSizeThen
Main8 squares2" × 2"–
Background8 squares2" × 2"–
Accent8 squares2" × 2"–
Fabric 48 squares2" × 2"–
Fabric 58 squares2" × 2"–
Fabric 68 squares2" × 2"–
Fabric 78 squares2" × 2"–
Fabric 88 squares2" × 2"–

16" Postage Stamp (cut for one block)

FabricCutSizeThen
Main8 squares2 1/2" × 2 1/2"–
Background8 squares2 1/2" × 2 1/2"–
Accent8 squares2 1/2" × 2 1/2"–
Fabric 48 squares2 1/2" × 2 1/2"–
Fabric 58 squares2 1/2" × 2 1/2"–
Fabric 68 squares2 1/2" × 2 1/2"–
Fabric 78 squares2 1/2" × 2 1/2"–
Fabric 88 squares2 1/2" × 2 1/2"–

How to make a 16" Postage Stamp block

  1. Cut the pieces in the chart above. All measurements include a 1/4" seam allowance.
  2. 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.
  3. Join the rows. The block should measure 16 1/2" now and 16" once it is sewn into the quilt.

Yardage for a Postage Stamp quilt (16" blocks)

Quilt sizeBlocksFinished sizeMainBackgroundAccentFabric 4Fabric 5Fabric 6Fabric 7Fabric 8Border & bindingBacking
Baby2 × 3 (6)38" × 54"1/4 yd1/4 yd1/4 yd1/4 yd1/4 yd1/4 yd1/4 yd1/4 yd1 yd3 1/2 yd
Lap3 × 3 (9)54" × 54"1/2 yd1/2 yd1/2 yd1/2 yd1/2 yd1/2 yd1/2 yd1/2 yd1 1/8 yd3 1/2 yd
Throw3 × 4 (12)54" × 70"1/2 yd1/2 yd1/2 yd1/2 yd1/2 yd1/2 yd1/2 yd1/2 yd1 1/4 yd4 1/2 yd
Twin4 × 6 (24)70" × 102"1 yd1 yd1 yd1 yd1 yd1 yd1 yd1 yd1 3/4 yd6 1/4 yd
Queen6 × 6 (36)102" × 102"1 3/8 yd1 3/8 yd1 3/8 yd1 3/8 yd1 3/8 yd1 3/8 yd1 3/8 yd1 3/8 yd1 7/8 yd9 1/4 yd
King6 × 6 (36)102" × 102"1 3/8 yd1 3/8 yd1 3/8 yd1 3/8 yd1 3/8 yd1 3/8 yd1 3/8 yd1 3/8 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" Postage Stamp 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 Postage Stamp 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 Postage Stamp block need?

Eight: main, background, accent, fabric 4, fabric 5, fabric 6, fabric 7 and fabric 8. 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 Postage Stamp?

8 main squares at 2 1/2" × 2 1/2"; 8 background squares at 2 1/2" × 2 1/2"; 8 accent squares at 2 1/2" × 2 1/2"; 8 fabric 4 squares at 2 1/2" × 2 1/2"; 8 fabric 5 squares at 2 1/2" × 2 1/2"; 8 fabric 6 squares at 2 1/2" × 2 1/2"; 8 fabric 7 squares at 2 1/2" × 2 1/2"; 8 fabric 8 squares at 2 1/2" × 2 1/2".

How many Postage Stamp blocks for a lap quilt?

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

More patchwork blocks

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