Easy Quilt Block Tutorial: the Sailboat Block

Sew an easy, cute quilt block that’s perfect for a boy or a girl. I’m so excited to show you this adorable, resizable Sailboat Quilt Block!

In case you are catching this blog series for the first time, we’re making gorgeous and easy quilt blocks. You can find others on my Easy Quilt Block Pinterest Board.

The sailboat block is easy and fun and if you’ve already made a few quilts, you might have made all of the elements before. So let’s get started!

This tutorial includes cutting dimensions for a 12” and 24” block.

Cutting Instructions:

I’m going to divide the different parts into water, hull, sails, and sky.

For a 12” block cut:
water – one 3 1/2” x 12 1/2” rectangle
hull – one 3 1/2” x 12 1/2” rectangle
sails – two 3 7/8” squares
sky – two 3 1/2” squares, two 3 7/8” squares, and two 3 1/2” x 6 1/2” rectangles

For a 24” block cut:
water – one 6 1/2” x 24 1/2” rectangle
hull – one 6 1/2” x 24 1/2” rectangle
sails – two 6 7/8” squares
sky – two 6 1/2” squares, two 6 7/8” squares, and two 6 1/2” x 12 1/2” rectangles

The instructions below are for the 12” block. Instructions for the 24” block are in parentheses.

Let’s prepare the sailboat block in rows, from the bottom up. Since the bottom row (the water) is just a rectangle, it’s all ready. The next row up is the hull. Draw diagonal lines on the 3 1/2” (6 1/2”) sky squares and pin them to the ends of the hull rectangle as pictured.

Stitch directly on the line you drew (like a snowball corner). Trim away the corner with a 1/4” seam allowance, and press the block open.

Two rows ready!

The sails are made with half square triangle blocks. Draw diagonal lines across the two 3 7/8” (6 7/8”) sky squares and pin them to the matching sail squares.

This time stitch a scant 1/4” on either side of your drawn lines. Cut along the lines to make the four half square triangles. Press and trim to 3 1/2” (6 1/2”)

Sew the 4 HST’s into a sailboat pattern and then sew the 3 1/2” x 6 1/2” (6 1/2” x 12 1/2”) rectangles on either side.

Now all the rows are ready! Stitch them together and your block is done.

Beware of this… the directional print strikes again (LOL)! At least it was an easy fix.

Happy quilting!