SeeMyQuilt
Classics · Confident beginner

Sister's Choice quilt block

A nine patch in the middle with two half-square triangles at each of its corners, pointing toward the corners of the block.

Sister's Choice: main, background and accent. A 5 × 5 grid.

Cutting chart by block size

5" Sister's Choice (cut for one block)

FabricCutSizeThen
Main4 squares1 7/8" × 1 7/8"8 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Main5 squares1 1/2" × 1 1/2"–
Background4 squares1 7/8" × 1 7/8"8 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Background8 squares1 1/2" × 1 1/2"–
Accent4 squares1 1/2" × 1 1/2"–

7 1/2" Sister's Choice (cut for one block)

FabricCutSizeThen
Main4 squares2 3/8" × 2 3/8"8 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Main5 squares2" × 2"–
Background4 squares2 3/8" × 2 3/8"8 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Background8 squares2" × 2"–
Accent4 squares2" × 2"–

10" Sister's Choice (cut for one block)

FabricCutSizeThen
Main4 squares2 7/8" × 2 7/8"8 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Main5 squares2 1/2" × 2 1/2"–
Background4 squares2 7/8" × 2 7/8"8 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Background8 squares2 1/2" × 2 1/2"–
Accent4 squares2 1/2" × 2 1/2"–

15" Sister's Choice (cut for one block)

FabricCutSizeThen
Main4 squares3 7/8" × 3 7/8"8 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Main5 squares3 1/2" × 3 1/2"–
Background4 squares3 7/8" × 3 7/8"8 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Background8 squares3 1/2" × 3 1/2"–
Accent4 squares3 1/2" × 3 1/2"–

How to make a 15" Sister's Choice 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 5 × 5 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.
  4. Join the rows. The block should measure 15 1/2" now and 15" once it is sewn into the quilt.

Yardage for a Sister's Choice quilt (15" blocks)

Quilt sizeBlocksFinished sizeMainBackgroundAccentBorder & bindingBacking
Baby2 × 3 (6)36" × 51"3/4 yd7/8 yd1/4 yd1 yd3 1/2 yd
Lap3 × 4 (12)51" × 66"1 1/4 yd1 1/2 yd1/2 yd1 1/8 yd4 1/4 yd
Throw4 × 4 (16)66" × 66"1 5/8 yd2 1/8 yd3/4 yd1 3/8 yd4 1/4 yd
Twin4 × 6 (24)66" × 96"2 3/8 yd3 yd7/8 yd1 1/2 yd6 yd
Queen6 × 6 (36)96" × 96"3 1/2 yd4 3/8 yd1 3/8 yd1 7/8 yd8 3/4 yd
King7 × 7 (49)111" × 111"4 5/8 yd6 yd1 7/8 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" Sister's Choice 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 Sister's Choice 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 Sister's Choice 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 Sister's Choice?

4 main squares at 3 7/8" × 3 7/8"; 5 main squares at 3 1/2" × 3 1/2"; 4 background squares at 3 7/8" × 3 7/8"; 8 background squares at 3 1/2" × 3 1/2"; 4 accent squares at 3 1/2" × 3 1/2".

How many Sister's Choice 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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