SeeMyQuilt
Classics · Confident beginner

Wishing Ring quilt block

A five-by-five block of plain squares with half-square triangles in the corners and around the center square.

Wishing Ring: main and background. A 5 × 5 grid.

Cutting chart by block size

5" Wishing Ring (cut for one block)

FabricCutSizeThen
Main4 squares1 7/8" × 1 7/8"8 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Main12 squares1 1/2" × 1 1/2"–
Background4 squares1 7/8" × 1 7/8"8 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Background5 squares1 1/2" × 1 1/2"–

7 1/2" Wishing Ring (cut for one block)

FabricCutSizeThen
Main4 squares2 3/8" × 2 3/8"8 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Main12 squares2" × 2"–
Background4 squares2 3/8" × 2 3/8"8 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Background5 squares2" × 2"–

10" Wishing Ring (cut for one block)

FabricCutSizeThen
Main4 squares2 7/8" × 2 7/8"8 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Main12 squares2 1/2" × 2 1/2"–
Background4 squares2 7/8" × 2 7/8"8 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Background5 squares2 1/2" × 2 1/2"–

15" Wishing Ring (cut for one block)

FabricCutSizeThen
Main4 squares3 7/8" × 3 7/8"8 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Main12 squares3 1/2" × 3 1/2"–
Background4 squares3 7/8" × 3 7/8"8 triangles (cut once on the diagonal)
Background5 squares3 1/2" × 3 1/2"–

How to make a 15" Wishing Ring 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 Wishing Ring quilt (15" blocks)

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

4 main squares at 3 7/8" × 3 7/8"; 12 main squares at 3 1/2" × 3 1/2"; 4 background squares at 3 7/8" × 3 7/8"; 5 background squares at 3 1/2" × 3 1/2".

How many Wishing Ring 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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