Wisconsin Dairy Barn Quilt Block

My husband grew up on a Dairy Farm in Wisconsin so I chose the milk barn to represent that state. It would be fun to put a cow in the doorway if you can find a motif that fits. Of course, there is room for a barn quilt over the doors.

Fabric Requirements & Cutting Instructions

Barn Red
Cut (1) strip 3-1/2″ wide by the WOF.  From that strip, cut (1) 3-1/2″ x 3-1/2″ square, (2) 2″ x 3-1/2″ rectangles, (2) 1-1/2″ x 2-1/2″ rectangles,
(2) 1″ x 2-1/2″ rectangles and (3) 2″ x 2″ squares.

Barn Doors
Cut (2) 2″ x 3-1/2″ rectangles

Background
Cut 1 strip 3-1/2″ wide by the WOF.  From that strip, cut (1) 3-1/2″ x 3-1/2″ square,  (1) 2″ x 2″ square, and
(2) 1-1/2″ x 1-1/2″ squares.

Quilt Motif
Cut (1) 2″ x 2″ square.

This tutorial uses a Tri-Recs ruler. There are other Half-Rectangle rulers that cut the same block. If you prefer one of those rulers, alter the cutting directions to fit that ruler.

Use the 2″ x 2″ red square and the 2″ x 2″ background square to make (2) 1-1/2″ unfinished HSTs.

For this block, you will need a 2″ x 2″ block for the barn quilt to set on point and (2) 2″ x 2″ red squares to cut on the diagonal to make the triangles for the four corners.

Sew a triangle to opposite sides of the center square.  Press to the triangle. Sew a triangle to the remaining two sides and press to the triangle. Square up to 2-1/2″.

How to Make a Half-Rectangle Quilt Block

When I first tried to make a half-rectangle quilt block, I thought it would be made the same way as a traditional half-square triangle quilt block. In other words, draw a line on the diagonal of one block, sew the two blocks together 1/4″ from that line, then cut on the line. Boy, was I wrong! That method makes a kite.

I discovered that while you still need to draw a diagonal line on the background of one of the rectangles, you can’t place them right sides together. They have to be offset to accommodate the 1/4″ seam.

To make a half-rectangle quilt block (HRT), start with two rectangles that are 1-1/2″ wider and 1-3/4″ longer than your desired finished block. This time when you place your two rectangle fabrics together you TURN one of them so the diagonal line meets the opposite corner then it would if you just placed the two fabrics on top of each other.

Now you can draw your diagonal line on the back of one rectangle. Sew 1/4″ on both sides of the line and cut on the line. Press to the dark.

Confusing, eh? It gets worse – this is a directional block. Before you sew and cut, fold the top rectangle back on the line. Is your rectangle going in the direction you want? If not, redraw that line on the other diagonal and turn the top rectangle in the other direction.

Let me show you an easier method.

Use the Tri-Recs Ruler. This tool is designed to help you make triangle-in-a-square quilt blocks, so it has two pieces: one for the center triangle and one for the sides.  You will only need the smaller side triangle in this pattern.

Starting with 2 strips of fabric (the dark and the light) the same size as the unfinished size of the block, lay the smaller ruler on the strip with the size line of the strip on the ruler along the bottom.

Cut along both edges. Don’t forget that little notch! That will help you match up the pieces later. Then rotate this ruler 180 degrees and cut the other side.

Don’t forget, this is still a directional block! Before committing yourself to that cut, double check – is it going in the right direction? In this particular pattern, it doesn’t matter, as you will need one of each.

Lay the red and background 3-1/2″ squares on top of each other right sides up.  Place the straight side of the ruler on the left side of the block as shown and cut both pieces at once.  Make sure that you clip that little corner on the ruler. It helps you line up the pieces later on. That will give you the two pieces you need for one block.

Now reverse the ruler and place the straight side on the right-hand side of the block. That gives you the two pieces you need for the other block.  Sew your blocks with a 1/4″ seam, press, and square them up to 1-1/2″ x 2-1/2″ if necessary.

Putting it all Together

This block is sewn in columns.  Sew the 5 top columns side-by-side first, then sew the bottom columns side-by-side. Press, then sew the two groups together and you are done!

A picture of a barn block

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