SeeMyQuilt
Classics · Intermediate

Prairie Queen quilt block

A plain center square with a four patch on each side and a large half-square triangle in each corner.

Prairie Queen: main and background. A 6 × 6 grid.

Cutting chart by block size

6" Prairie Queen (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"–
Main8 squares1 1/2" × 1 1/2"–
Background2 squares2 7/8" × 2 7/8"4 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Background8 squares1 1/2" × 1 1/2"–

9" Prairie Queen (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"–
Main8 squares2" × 2"–
Background2 squares3 7/8" × 3 7/8"4 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Background8 squares2" × 2"–

12" Prairie Queen (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"–
Main8 squares2 1/2" × 2 1/2"–
Background2 squares4 7/8" × 4 7/8"4 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Background8 squares2 1/2" × 2 1/2"–

15" Prairie Queen (cut for one block)

FabricCutSizeThen
Main2 squares5 7/8" × 5 7/8"4 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Main1 square5 1/2" × 5 1/2"–
Main8 squares3" × 3"–
Background2 squares5 7/8" × 5 7/8"4 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Background8 squares3" × 3"–

How to make a 15" Prairie Queen 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 6 × 6 grid, and each cell finishes at 2 1/2". 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 15 1/2" now and 15" once it is sewn into the quilt.

Yardage for a Prairie Queen quilt (15" blocks)

Quilt sizeBlocksFinished sizeMainBackgroundBorder & bindingBacking
Baby2 × 3 (6)36" × 51"1 yd3/4 yd1 yd3 1/2 yd
Lap3 × 4 (12)51" × 66"1 3/4 yd1 3/8 yd1 1/8 yd4 1/4 yd
Throw4 × 4 (16)66" × 66"2 3/8 yd1 7/8 yd1 3/8 yd4 1/4 yd
Twin4 × 6 (24)66" × 96"3 1/4 yd2 5/8 yd1 1/2 yd6 yd
Queen6 × 6 (36)96" × 96"5 yd4 yd1 7/8 yd8 3/4 yd
King7 × 7 (49)111" × 111"6 3/8 yd5 1/8 yd2 1/8 yd10 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 15" Prairie Queen blocks in each setting.

SettingBlocksFinished sizeExtra fabric
Side by side1666" × 66"–
With sashing1255" × 72"Sashing 3/4 yd, Cornerstones 1/8 yd
Alternating plain blocks8 pieced + 8 plain66" × 66"Plain blocks 2 yd
On point1369 3/4" × 69 3/4"Setting triangles 1 3/4 yd

See Prairie Queen 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 Prairie Queen 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 15 inch Prairie Queen?

2 main squares at 5 7/8" × 5 7/8"; 1 main square at 5 1/2" × 5 1/2"; 8 main squares at 3" × 3"; 2 background squares at 5 7/8" × 5 7/8"; 8 background squares at 3" × 3".

How many Prairie Queen blocks for a lap quilt?

12 blocks at 15", set 3 by 4 with a 3" border, make a 51" × 66" quilt.

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