--- title: "Wagon Wheel Quilt Block" date: 2024-09-03 author: "Phoebe Moon" featured_image: "https://scrapdash.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Wagon-wheel-block.jpg" categories: - name: "Free Patterns" url: "/category/free-pattern.md" - name: "Quilt Block Tutorial" url: "/category/block-tutorial.md" --- # Wagon Wheel Quilt Block The pattern is available for free to subscribers at the bottom of the page. If you’d rather just print, click the green *Print Friendly* button under the tutorial. If that doesn’t work, try Ctrl + P (or Flower + P) to bring up the printer dialog box. . And, no, it wasn’t always called the Wagon Wheel! Here it is in 1935. The Quilt Block to the right is probably c1900, but I don’t know what the maker called it. [![A vintage newspaper clipping features a quilt pattern titled Squirrel in a Cage, showing labeled geometric shapes, a small sample quilt block reminiscent of the Wagon Wheel Quilt Block, and a brief description at the bottom. The clipping is dated November 6, 1935.](https://scrapdash.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/KCS-Squirrelinacage-1-659x800.jpg)](https://scrapdash.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/KCS-Squirrelinacage-1.jpg) [![A close-up of an antique quilt, c1900, featuring green, white, and beige patterned fabric squares with yellow yarn ties. The patchwork design includes geometric shapes, floral prints, and a hint of the Wagon Wheel Quilt Block style.](https://scrapdash.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/IMG_2103-800x600.jpg)](https://scrapdash.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/IMG_2103-e1758764983949.jpg) ## The Wagon Wheel Quilt Block Before starting this project, I recommend that you press your fabric with [spray sizing](https://amzn.to/3N4zMer). 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 [![Wagon Wheel Construction Fabrics](https://scrapdash.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Wagon-wheel-fabric.jpg)](https://scrapdash.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Wagon-wheel-fabric.jpg) . 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. [![Four Patch Quilt Block](https://scrapdash.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/four-patch.jpg)](https://scrapdash.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/four-patch.jpg) ![How to Twirl Quilt Block Seams](https://scrapdash.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/twirling-the-seam.jpg) 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. . 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. [![Wagon Wheel Construction](https://scrapdash.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/SNS-1.jpg)](https://scrapdash.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/SNS-1.jpg) Sew a triangle to the remaining sides of the squares. [![Wagon Wheel Construction](https://scrapdash.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/wagon-wheel-SNS.jpg)](https://scrapdash.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/wagon-wheel-SNS.jpg) To keep your points sharp, aim for the X when sewing a seam. [![Wagon Wheel Construction](https://scrapdash.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Aim-X.jpg)](https://scrapdash.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Aim-X.jpg) Press and square up to 4-1/2″. [![Wagon Wheel Construction](https://scrapdash.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/square-up-SNS.jpg)](https://scrapdash.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/square-up-SNS.jpg)I like the [Cute Cuts square-up ruler](https://amzn.to/3KfvuiM) because it shows the seam allowance. 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. ![Wagon Wheel Construction](https://scrapdash.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/twopatch.jpg) 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. [![Wagon Wheel Construction](https://scrapdash.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/wagon-wheel-row.jpg)](https://scrapdash.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/wagon-wheel-row.jpg) 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″. [![Wagon Wheel Quilt Block](https://scrapdash.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Wagon-wheel-block.jpg)](https://scrapdash.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Wagon-wheel-block.jpg) 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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