SeeMyQuilt
Classics · Intermediate

Square with Sawtooth Border quilt block

One large square surrounded by a border of half-square triangles, with plain squares in the corners.

Square with Sawtooth Border: main, background and accent. A 6 × 6 grid.

Cutting chart by block size

6" Square with Sawtooth Border (cut for one block)

FabricCutSizeThen
Main8 squares1 7/8" × 1 7/8"16 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Background8 squares1 7/8" × 1 7/8"16 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Background4 squares1 1/2" × 1 1/2"–
Accent1 square4 1/2" × 4 1/2"–

9" Square with Sawtooth Border (cut for one block)

FabricCutSizeThen
Main8 squares2 3/8" × 2 3/8"16 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Background8 squares2 3/8" × 2 3/8"16 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Background4 squares2" × 2"–
Accent1 square6 1/2" × 6 1/2"–

12" Square with Sawtooth Border (cut for one block)

FabricCutSizeThen
Main8 squares2 7/8" × 2 7/8"16 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Background8 squares2 7/8" × 2 7/8"16 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Background4 squares2 1/2" × 2 1/2"–
Accent1 square8 1/2" × 8 1/2"–

15" Square with Sawtooth Border (cut for one block)

FabricCutSizeThen
Main8 squares3 3/8" × 3 3/8"16 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Background8 squares3 3/8" × 3 3/8"16 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Background4 squares3" × 3"–
Accent1 square10 1/2" × 10 1/2"–

How to make a 15" Square with Sawtooth Border 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 Square with Sawtooth Border quilt (15" blocks)

Quilt sizeBlocksFinished sizeMainBackgroundAccentBorder & bindingBacking
Baby2 × 3 (6)36" × 51"1/2 yd5/8 yd3/4 yd1 yd3 1/2 yd
Lap3 × 4 (12)51" × 66"7/8 yd1 1/4 yd1 yd1 1/8 yd4 1/4 yd
Throw4 × 4 (16)66" × 66"1 1/4 yd1 5/8 yd1 3/8 yd1 3/8 yd4 1/4 yd
Twin4 × 6 (24)66" × 96"1 3/4 yd2 3/8 yd2 yd1 1/2 yd6 yd
Queen6 × 6 (36)96" × 96"2 1/2 yd3 1/2 yd3 yd1 7/8 yd8 3/4 yd
King7 × 7 (49)111" × 111"3 1/2 yd4 3/4 yd4 1/4 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" Square with Sawtooth Border 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 Square with Sawtooth Border 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 Square with Sawtooth Border 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 15 inch Square with Sawtooth Border?

8 main squares at 3 3/8" × 3 3/8"; 8 background squares at 3 3/8" × 3 3/8"; 4 background squares at 3" × 3"; 1 accent square at 10 1/2" × 10 1/2".

How many Square with Sawtooth Border 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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