SeeMyQuiltRoad to California quilt block
A chain of four dark squares from corner to corner, with two half-square triangles on each side of it and plain background squares between.
Cutting chart by block size
6" Road to California (cut for one block)
| Fabric | Cut | Size | Then |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main | 4 squares | 2" × 2" | – |
| Background | 1 rectangle | 3 1/2" × 2" | – |
| Background | 2 squares | 2 3/8" × 2 3/8" | 4 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
| Background | 6 squares | 2" × 2" | – |
| Accent | 2 squares | 2 3/8" × 2 3/8" | 4 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
8" Road to California (cut for one block)
| Fabric | Cut | Size | Then |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main | 4 squares | 2 1/2" × 2 1/2" | – |
| Background | 1 rectangle | 4 1/2" × 2 1/2" | – |
| Background | 2 squares | 2 7/8" × 2 7/8" | 4 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
| Background | 6 squares | 2 1/2" × 2 1/2" | – |
| Accent | 2 squares | 2 7/8" × 2 7/8" | 4 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
10" Road to California (cut for one block)
| Fabric | Cut | Size | Then |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main | 4 squares | 3" × 3" | – |
| Background | 1 rectangle | 5 1/2" × 3" | – |
| Background | 2 squares | 3 3/8" × 3 3/8" | 4 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
| Background | 6 squares | 3" × 3" | – |
| Accent | 2 squares | 3 3/8" × 3 3/8" | 4 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
12" Road to California (cut for one block)
| Fabric | Cut | Size | Then |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main | 4 squares | 3 1/2" × 3 1/2" | – |
| Background | 1 rectangle | 6 1/2" × 3 1/2" | – |
| Background | 2 squares | 3 7/8" × 3 7/8" | 4 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
| Background | 6 squares | 3 1/2" × 3 1/2" | – |
| Accent | 2 squares | 3 7/8" × 3 7/8" | 4 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
How to make a 12" Road to California 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 4 × 4 grid, and each cell finishes at 3". 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 12 1/2" now and 12" once it is sewn into the quilt.
Yardage for a Road to California quilt (12" blocks)
| Quilt size | Blocks | Finished size | Main | Background | Accent | Border & binding | Backing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baby | 3 × 4 (12) | 42" × 54" | 1/2 yd | 1 1/4 yd | 3/8 yd | 1 yd | 3 1/2 yd |
| Lap | 4 × 5 (20) | 54" × 66" | 3/4 yd | 2 yd | 1/2 yd | 1 1/8 yd | 4 1/4 yd |
| Throw | 5 × 6 (30) | 66" × 78" | 1 1/8 yd | 2 7/8 yd | 3/4 yd | 1 3/8 yd | 5 yd |
| Twin | 6 × 8 (48) | 78" × 102" | 1 3/4 yd | 4 5/8 yd | 1 1/4 yd | 1 3/4 yd | 9 1/4 yd |
| Queen | 8 × 8 (64) | 102" × 102" | 2 3/8 yd | 6 1/4 yd | 1 5/8 yd | 1 7/8 yd | 9 1/4 yd |
| King | 9 × 9 (81) | 114" × 114" | 3 yd | 8 yd | 2 1/8 yd | 2 1/8 yd | 10 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 12" Road to California blocks in each setting.
| Setting | Blocks | Finished size | Extra fabric |
|---|---|---|---|
| Side by side | 30 | 66" × 78" | – |
| With sashing | 20 | 60" × 74" | Sashing 7/8 yd, Cornerstones 1/8 yd |
| Alternating plain blocks | 15 pieced + 15 plain | 66" × 78" | Plain blocks 2 yd |
| On point | 18 | 57" × 74" | Setting triangles 1 1/2 yd |
See Road to California 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 Road to California 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 12 inch Road to California?
4 main squares at 3 1/2" × 3 1/2"; 1 background rectangle at 6 1/2" × 3 1/2"; 2 background squares at 3 7/8" × 3 7/8"; 6 background squares at 3 1/2" × 3 1/2"; 2 accent squares at 3 7/8" × 3 7/8".
How many Road to California blocks for a lap quilt?
20 blocks at 12", set 4 by 5 with a 3" border, make a 54" × 66" quilt.
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