The theme for #QuiltBlockMania this month is “transportation”. This Wagon Wheel block would make a great mini-quilt set on point, or a pretty full size quilt.
To visit the other designers in this hop, see the list at the bottom of the page. To print this page, use the green Print Friendly button at the bottom, just above the comments. If that doesn’t work, try pressing down the CNTRL button and the P button at the same time. Or the COMMAND button and the P button if you are on a Mac. That should bring up the printer dialog.
And, no, it wasn’t always called the Wagon Wheel! Here it is in 1935.
The Wagon Wheel Quilt Block
Before starting this project, I recommend that you press your fabric with spray sizing. It will make it easier to cut small pieces. Take the time to clean your machine, put in a new needle, and fill a few bobbins. When pressing, just hold the iron over a spot for a moment or two. This pattern assumes a perfect 1/4” seam.
To make this block, you will need:
- (8) background 3″ squares, (2) 2-1/2″ squares, and (4) 2-1/2″ x 4-1/2″ rectangles
- (4) dk blue 3-3/8″ squares, and (4) 2-1/2″ x 4-1/2″ rectangles
- (2) green 2-1/2″ squares
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Yes, I have this fabric! Check out the listing at quilt-fabric-and-samples-for-sale/
Make the center four-patch by sewing the 2-1/2″ green and the 2-1/2″ background squares in (2) rows of two each. Press to the dark. Sew the rows together and press the seam open. Square this up to 4-1/2″. In the picture below, I pressed the center seam open but in retrospect, I should have swirled it.
To twirl your seams on the back finger press them so they go around in a circle. You will need to pick out a couple of stitches at the intersection to get these twirled seams to lay flat. You know you have done it right if you see a teeny tiny four patch made by the right side of the fabric at the intersection.
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To make the square-in-a-square corners, cut the (8) background 3″ squares on the diagonal to make (16) triangles. Sew a triangle to opposite sides of the (4) dk blue 3-3/8″ squares. Press.
Sew a triangle to the remaining sides of the squares.
To keep your points sharp, aim for the X when sewing a seam.
Press and square up to 4-1/2″.
Sew a dk blue 2-1/2″ x 4-1/2″ rectangle to a background 2-1/2″ x 4-1/2″ rectangle the long way. Make (4) sets and press to the dark.
Sew these between (2) square-in-a-square blocks as shown below to make the top and bottom row of the block. Press. Sew the remaining (2) to both sides of the four-patch block. Press.
Sew the three rows together, taking care not to overlap the seams at the intersection. Give your block one final press and square it up to 12-1/2″.
You are done! Use your block in a quilt, or set it on point and make it into a mini-quilt. Enjoy!
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Be Sure to Visit These Designers, Too
Train Quilt Block by Carolina Moore
Hot Air Balloon by Patchwork Breeze
Bronco by Crafty Staci
Amish Buggy by Inquiring Quilter
Wagon Wheel by Scrapdash
Go Kart by QuiltFabrication
Set Sail by Patti’s Patchwork
I heart racing by Brown Bird Designs
Scooter Bear by Colette Belt Designs
Flip Flops by Tourmaline & Thyme Quilts
Appliques Quilts and More
Bicycle FPP Block by Julia Wachs Designs
Deep Blue See by Epida Studio
Jeep Quilt Block by Oh Kaye Quilting
“Hippie”mobile / Magic Bus
Gone Camping by Cristy Fincher