Prairie Queen quilt block
A plain center square with a four patch on each side and a large half-square triangle in each corner.
Cutting chart by block size
6" Prairie Queen (cut for one block)
| Fabric | Cut | Size | Then |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main | 2 squares | 2 7/8" × 2 7/8" | 4 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
| Main | 1 square | 2 1/2" × 2 1/2" | – |
| Main | 8 squares | 1 1/2" × 1 1/2" | – |
| Background | 2 squares | 2 7/8" × 2 7/8" | 4 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
| Background | 8 squares | 1 1/2" × 1 1/2" | – |
9" Prairie Queen (cut for one block)
| Fabric | Cut | Size | Then |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main | 2 squares | 3 7/8" × 3 7/8" | 4 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
| Main | 1 square | 3 1/2" × 3 1/2" | – |
| Main | 8 squares | 2" × 2" | – |
| Background | 2 squares | 3 7/8" × 3 7/8" | 4 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
| Background | 8 squares | 2" × 2" | – |
12" Prairie Queen (cut for one block)
| Fabric | Cut | Size | Then |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main | 2 squares | 4 7/8" × 4 7/8" | 4 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
| Main | 1 square | 4 1/2" × 4 1/2" | – |
| Main | 8 squares | 2 1/2" × 2 1/2" | – |
| Background | 2 squares | 4 7/8" × 4 7/8" | 4 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
| Background | 8 squares | 2 1/2" × 2 1/2" | – |
15" Prairie Queen (cut for one block)
| Fabric | Cut | Size | Then |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main | 2 squares | 5 7/8" × 5 7/8" | 4 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
| Main | 1 square | 5 1/2" × 5 1/2" | – |
| Main | 8 squares | 3" × 3" | – |
| Background | 2 squares | 5 7/8" × 5 7/8" | 4 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
| Background | 8 squares | 3" × 3" | – |
How to make a 15" Prairie Queen block
- Cut the pieces in the chart above. All measurements include a 1/4" seam allowance.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 size | Blocks | Finished size | Main | Background | Border & binding | Backing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baby | 2 × 3 (6) | 36" × 51" | 1 yd | 3/4 yd | 1 yd | 3 1/2 yd |
| Lap | 3 × 4 (12) | 51" × 66" | 1 3/4 yd | 1 3/8 yd | 1 1/8 yd | 4 1/4 yd |
| Throw | 4 × 4 (16) | 66" × 66" | 2 3/8 yd | 1 7/8 yd | 1 3/8 yd | 4 1/4 yd |
| Twin | 4 × 6 (24) | 66" × 96" | 3 1/4 yd | 2 5/8 yd | 1 1/2 yd | 6 yd |
| Queen | 6 × 6 (36) | 96" × 96" | 5 yd | 4 yd | 1 7/8 yd | 8 3/4 yd |
| King | 7 × 7 (49) | 111" × 111" | 6 3/8 yd | 5 1/8 yd | 2 1/8 yd | 10 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.
| Setting | Blocks | Finished size | Extra fabric |
|---|---|---|---|
| Side by side | 16 | 66" × 66" | – |
| With sashing | 12 | 55" × 72" | Sashing 3/4 yd, Cornerstones 1/8 yd |
| Alternating plain blocks | 8 pieced + 8 plain | 66" × 66" | Plain blocks 2 yd |
| On point | 13 | 69 3/4" × 69 3/4" | Setting triangles 1 3/4 yd |
See Prairie Queen in your own fabrics
What to buy
| Fabric | Yardage | Cut |
|---|
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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