Tall Ships Quilt Block

Oswego’s Harborfest commemorates the “Battle of Fort Oswego”, which was fought on land and by tall ships in the Harbor of Oswego, NY, during the War of 1812.  The festival is normally held the last weekend in July. This 18″ block honors the Tall Ships that took part in that event.

To make the block, you will need:

1/8 yard background for sails
1/4 yard blue for sea and sky
1/8 yard brown for ship

I used the traditional method of making HSTS when making this block.

The Traditional Method of making Half Square Triangle Blocks (HSTs) is to place a 2-7/8″ x 2-7/8″ dark square right sides together with a
2-7/8″ x 2-7/8″ light square.  Draw a diagonal line on the back of one square.  Sew 1/4″ on both sides of the line.  Cut on the line and press to the dark.

You will have made two blocks that measure exactly 2-1/2″ x 2-1/2″ square.   My personal preference is to start with 3″ squares and square them up later, but that does add an extra step to the process.  

Here are the fabric requirements and cutting directions for the block:

• White: (1) 2-7/8″ wide strip by the Width of Fabric of white, cut into
  (7) 2-7/8″ squares.
• Brown: (1) 2-7/8″ wide strip by the Width of Fabric, cut into (1) 2-7/8″ square and a 2-1/2″ x 8-1/2″ long strip for the ship bottom.
• Blue: (1) 2-7/8″ wide strips by the Width of Fabric, cut into (8) 2-7/8″ squares
  (1) 2-1/2″ wide strip by the Width of Fabric, cut into (1) 2-1/2″ x 2-1/2″ square, (1) 2-1/2″ x 4-1/2″ rectangle, (1) 2-1/2″ x 10-1/2″ rectangle and (2) 2-1/2″ x 8-1/2″ rectangles.

Using the method described above, create (14) blue and white HST units and (2) blue and brown HST units from the 2-7/8″ squares.

Piece the center of the tall ship block in columns first, then add the outer units, pressing as shown above.

Before you sew the columns together, finger press the seams in opposite directions so they just nestle at the intersection.  That will help you keep the block flat. Press.  This block finishes at 12-1/2″ x 12-1/2″.

Free Tablerunner Pattern

If you make this block larger and put it together with sashing and a border, and you have a 24″ x 45″  Tablerunner!  This pattern uses an 18″ block.

To make the Tablerunner, you will need:

1/4 yard background for sails
1 yard blue for sea and sky
1/2 yard brown for ship and binding

And, of course, the pattern!  It is free for subscribers.

Please add moc.hsadparcsobfsctd@sirk to your contacts list to make sure you get the confirmation message. Drag the confirmation message from the Promotion tab to the Primary tab if you use Gmail.

If you are already a subscriber, it’s okay to fill out this form. You won’t be put on the mailing list twice.

Have another tip to offer? Send it to me or reply below and I will add it here.

Don’t forget to sign up for the newsletter! Once a week, I send updates on quilt-related information I have found while wandering the web. This might be an inspiring article, a tip or tutorial I have discovered (or written), and occasionally exclusive offers & discounts as well as immediate access to the secret page of free patterns, guides, and printables. You can follow my page on Facebook, or join the Make Believe Quilters group, too.