SeeMyQuilt
Patchwork · Confident beginner

Trip Around the World quilt block

Squares arranged in diamond-shaped rings of colour around a single center square. Also called Sunshine and Shadow.

Trip Around the World: main, background, accent and fabric 4. A 7 × 7 grid.

Cutting chart by block size

7" Trip Around the World (cut for one block)

FabricCutSizeThen
Main13 squares1 1/2" × 1 1/2"–
Background12 squares1 1/2" × 1 1/2"–
Accent12 squares1 1/2" × 1 1/2"–
Fabric 412 squares1 1/2" × 1 1/2"–

10 1/2" Trip Around the World (cut for one block)

FabricCutSizeThen
Main13 squares2" × 2"–
Background12 squares2" × 2"–
Accent12 squares2" × 2"–
Fabric 412 squares2" × 2"–

14" Trip Around the World (cut for one block)

FabricCutSizeThen
Main13 squares2 1/2" × 2 1/2"–
Background12 squares2 1/2" × 2 1/2"–
Accent12 squares2 1/2" × 2 1/2"–
Fabric 412 squares2 1/2" × 2 1/2"–

How to make a 14" Trip Around the World block

  1. Cut the pieces in the chart above. All measurements include a 1/4" seam allowance.
  2. Lay all the pieces out as in the diagram. The block is a 7 × 7 grid, and each cell finishes at 2". Sew neighbouring pieces into sections, then the sections into rows, pressing seams in opposite directions from row to row.
  3. Join the rows. The block should measure 14 1/2" now and 14" once it is sewn into the quilt.

Yardage for a Trip Around the World quilt (14" blocks)

Quilt sizeBlocksFinished sizeMainBackgroundAccentFabric 4Border & bindingBacking
Baby2 × 3 (6)34" × 48"1/2 yd1/2 yd1/2 yd1/2 yd7/8 yd1 3/4 yd
Lap3 × 4 (12)48" × 62"7/8 yd3/4 yd3/4 yd3/4 yd1 1/8 yd4 yd
Throw4 × 5 (20)62" × 76"1 3/8 yd1 1/4 yd1 1/4 yd1 1/4 yd1 3/8 yd4 3/4 yd
Twin5 × 6 (30)76" × 90"2 yd1 7/8 yd1 7/8 yd1 7/8 yd1 5/8 yd5 1/2 yd
Queen6 × 6 (36)90" × 90"2 3/8 yd2 1/8 yd2 1/8 yd2 1/8 yd1 3/4 yd8 1/4 yd
King7 × 7 (49)104" × 104"3 1/8 yd2 7/8 yd2 7/8 yd2 7/8 yd2 yd9 1/2 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 14" Trip Around the World blocks in each setting.

SettingBlocksFinished sizeExtra fabric
Side by side2062" × 76"–
With sashing1668" × 68"Sashing 1 yd, Cornerstones 1/8 yd
Alternating plain blocks10 pieced + 10 plain62" × 76"Plain blocks 2 1/4 yd
On point1365 1/2" × 65 1/2"Setting triangles 1 5/8 yd

See Trip Around the World 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 Trip Around the World block need?

Four: main, background, accent and fabric 4. 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 14 inch Trip Around the World?

13 main squares at 2 1/2" × 2 1/2"; 12 background squares at 2 1/2" × 2 1/2"; 12 accent squares at 2 1/2" × 2 1/2"; 12 fabric 4 squares at 2 1/2" × 2 1/2".

How many Trip Around the World blocks for a lap quilt?

12 blocks at 14", set 3 by 4 with a 3" border, make a 48" × 62" quilt.

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