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!
Disclosure: some of my posts contain affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of those links I may receive a small commission, so thank you for supporting SewCanShe when you shop! All of the opinions are my own and I only suggest products that I actually use. 🙂
I tried to post this comment yesterday and thought I had, but I don’t see ANY comments at all on this post.
This is so cute!
I’m wondering if there is a way you could give a printer-friendly version of these posts. There is no way for me to choose what pages to print from my mobile device, and one pattern print was 16 pages because it prints all the sidebar and footer thumbnails. Thanks! 🙂
Adorable block! I love the whales.
I had fun making this block. Thanks for sharing the easy to follow tutorial.
I tried to access the Facebook group via the link above, but got an error. So I posted a photo of my block on the flickr page, hopefully I uploaded it correctly. I’ve never used flickr before. I also wrote about it on my blog.
https://coffeestampsandstitches.blogspot.com/2014/07/sew-me-sailboat.html
Melissa
I was wondering the same thing. Is there a way to print without all the extras on it? I would love to save these blocks. I love the sailboat. Going to have new little nephew the end of May and this is so adorable. Thank you!
Hi Eva,
The easiest way for you to do that is to copy and paste the text and pictures you want into a word document.
Have fun!
Caroline
Sorry, I have another question. Can we use what we have on hand or do we have to buy the fat quarters that you use? Thanks!
This giveaway is now over. Watch for our next one the first Monday of March!
Caroline
Hi, you may want to edit this post. I just looked at BlockFab and it is no longer available in the App Store. I have the app but it no longer works with the current operation system.
You make the cutest things! Thank you for sharing all your wonderful projects. I have a new grandson that may have to have a pillow or quilt out of these blocks!