Courthouse Steps (Quilt Block of the Month)

The Quilt Block of the Month of December is the Courthouse Steps.  This is a great block for those just beginning to try their hand at patchwork and is still and enjoyable block to create for even the most experienced of quilters.

The Courthouse Steps Block is actually a version of the Log Cabin Block which enjoyed its rise to fame in the United States during the civil war and has been a staple in the world of quilting ever since.  Like the Log Cabin the Courthouse Steps block is built around a center square and because it uses only simple squares and triangles no special rulers or tools are needed to construct this block.

The Courthouse Steps are extremely versatile blocks and lend themselves  nicely to both a variety of fabrics and styles.  The version of these blocks that we are making today are enlarged and only have two complete “rings” around the center square.  When completed each block will measure 14.5″ by 14.5″ and will come together quickly to create a quilt of any size.

***This Quilt Block tutorial is now a complete PDF Quilt Pattern that you can find HERE in our shop.****

So let’s get started!

Here are the instructions to make one of the Courthouse Steps quilt blocks pictured above.

CUTTING INSTRUCTIONS:

Cut

1 of the  3.5″ x 3.5″ yellow squares

2 of the  3.5″ x 3.5″ magenta squares

2 of the  9.5″ x 3.5″ cream rectangles

2 of the  9.5″ x 3.5″ navy rectangles

2 of the  15.5″ x 3.5″ magenta rectangles (I often cut these rectangles are a bit longer than the square itself will be so at 16″ x 3.5″ and I suggest doing this as well…this will come in handy when you are trimming up and squaring your block)

SEWING INSTRUCTIONS:

#1.  Place your yellow square on top of one of your 3.5″ x 3.5″ magenta squares, with the right sides together, and stitch together using a quarter inch seam allowance.

#2.  Open and press towards the magenta side.

#3.  Place the remaining 3.5″ x 3.5″ magenta square on top of your yellow square, with right sides together, and stitch together using a quarter inch seam allowance.

#4.  Open and press towards the magenta side.  (When finished your squares should look like the photo below.)

#5.  Place one of your cream rectangles on top of the rectangle you have just created, with right sides together, and stitch together using a quarter inch seam allowance.

#6.  Open and press towards the cream fabric.

#7.  Place you last remaining cream rectangle on top of your 3 square rectangle, with right sides together, and stitch together using a quarter inch seam allowance.

#8.  Open and press towards the cream fabric.  (When finished your block should look like the photograph below.)

#9.  Place one of your navy rectangle on top of your quilt block, with right sides together, and aligning it with the left hand side of your block.  Stitch together using a quarter inch seam allowance.

#10.  Open and press towards the navy fabric.

#11.  Place your remaining rectangle on top of your quilt block, with right sides together, and aligning it with the right hand side of your block.  Stitch together using a quarter inch seam allowance.

#12.  Open and press.  When finished your block should look like the photograph below.

#13.  Place one of your magenta rectangles on top of your block along the top edge, with right sides together, and stitch using a quarter inch seam allowance.

#14.  Open and press towards the magenta fabric.

#15.  Place one of our magenta rectangles on top of your block along the bottom edge, with right sides together, and stitch using a quarter inch seam allowance.

#16.  Open and press towards the magenta fabric.  (When finished your block should look like the photograph below.)

All you have left to do is give your block a good top pressing and then square it to 14.5″ x  14.5″.

(And then of course put it together in a quilt pattern of your choice.)

For me I wanted to surround each block with cream sashing to make sure that the fabric used in each block was really allowed to shine.

The fabric is a brand new line of fabric designed by our dear friend Mary Fons, and produced by one of our favorite companies…Springs Creative.  The fabric is called World Piece.  It highlights patterns from all around the world and is perfect for quilt building!  (Look for it at your favorite quilt shop!)

Now, if you are interested in making the quilt shown in the photos here are some quick facts for making the remainder of the quilt:

*The cream sashings are cut at  14.5″ x 14.5″

*The 4 yellow cornerstones are cut at  3.5″ x 3.5″

*I used 9 of the 14.5″ courthouse step quilt blocks

*The cream boarder is 3.5″ inches wide

*The quilt finishes up at 66″ x 66″

and

*The quilt was quilted by Elizabeth and I using a baby lock Crown Jewel and using the ProStitcher Stipple Setting.

Alright…that should about cover it…

Happy Courthouse Step building everyone!

-liZ