Needlecrafts Quilting Quilting Patterns

Labyrinth Quilt Block Pattern

Labyrinth Quilt Block Pattern
Janet Wickell

This Labyrinth quilt block pattern explains how to make one version of the many quilt designs known by that name. This example is a star with two interwoven border areas.

The center of the Labyrinth quilt block is a quarter square triangle unit, and that's what you'll find in the instructions, but the center can be created from any patchwork that finishes at three inches by three inches. Try the following:

  • Four patch quilt block made from four two-inch-by-two-inch squares
  • Nine patch block made from nine 1 1/2-inch-by-1-1/2-inch squares
  • One fabric square that measures 3 1/2 inches by 3 1/2 inches
  • Miniature quilt block that finishes at three inches by three inches

The Labyrinth quilt block finishes at 12 inches by 12 inches.

How to Assemble the Labyrinth Quilt Block

There are many ways to assemble this quilt block. You can use it with a combination of quick piecing techniques. Be sure to read the options, especially if you are making a scrap quilt block.

Fabrics for One 12-Inch Labyrinth Quilt Block

The block is made from only four fabrics.

If you are making scrap blocks, it's important that the fabrics within each of the four groups are very close in color value (contrast). If they aren't a good match (in contrast, not color), you will lose the woven appearance.

Fabric A, Outer Border, and Star Background

  • (4) Two-inch-by-five-inch rectangles
  • (4) Two-inch-by-3 1/2-inch rectangles
  • (2) 2 3/8-inch-by-2 3/8-inch squares (for half-square triangle units, cut larger squares and then trim the units back after assembly to improve accuracy)
  • (4) 2 3/8-inch-by 2 3/8-inch squares (do not cut these oversize)
  • (2) 4 1/4-inch-by-4 1/4-inch squares

Fabric B (Darkest Woven Border)

  • (4) 2 3/8-inch-by-2 3/8-inch squares (or cut larger if you plan to make all half-square triangle units oversize)
  • (2) Two-inch-by-five-inch rectangles
  • (2) Two-inch-by-3 1/2-inch rectangles
  • (2) Two-inch-by-two-inch squares

Fabric C (Light Woven Border)

  • (6) 2 3/8-inch-by-2 3/8-inch squares (or cut larger if you plan to make all half-square triangle units oversize)
  • (1) 4 1/4-inch-by-4 1/4-inch square

Fabric D (Inner Star Tips)

  • (4) 2 3/8-inch-by-2 3/8-inch squares (do not cut oversize)

You can print some quilt patterns as well.

Options for Flying Geese

Some areas are made from flying geese and can be replaced with half-square triangle units (HST) that are sewn together to look like geese. Scrap quilters might prefer to use that method for the quilt blocks. If you do, the HSTs should finish at 1 1/2-inch-by-1 1/2-inch (they will measure two inches by two inches after assembly).

Use any method to assemble the HST units except for making magic eight half-square triangle units.

You can also substitute another quick pieced flying geese method for the no-waste method explained in the instructions. If you do, work with two-inch-by-3 1/2-inch rectangles for the pointed areas of geese and two-inch-by-two-inch squares for the side triangles.

  1. Make Patchwork for the Labyrinth Quilt

    Assemble all of the patchwork units you'll need for the Labyrinth quilt block and stack like-units together.

    Make Half Square Triangle Units

    1. Draw a line from one corner to the opposite corner on the reverse side of each 2 3/8-inch Fabric C square.
    2. Pair one of the squares with a Fabric B square of the same size, right sides together and all edges aligned (you might have chosen to use larger squares).
    3. Sew the squares together with two diagonal lines. If you are not using oversize squares, sew scant (slightly narrow) seam allowances.
    4. When complete, you will have (2) two-inch-by-two-inch HST units. Trim back instructions if you used oversize squares.
    5. Repeat to pair three more Fabric B and Fabric C squares to make a total of eight HSTs in that color combo.
    6. Repeat again, pairing each of the remaining two Fabric C squares with a Fabric A square of the same size to make four HST units.

    Make the Quarter Square Triangle Unit

    1. Draw a diagonal line on the reverse side of one 4 1/4-inch-by-4 1/4-inch Fabric A square.
    2. Align the square right sides together with the Fabric C square of the same size.
    3. Sew together exactly as you did to make the HST units.
    4. When cut apart and complete you will have two HST units that measure 3 7/8 inches by 3 7/8 inches.
    5. Draw a diagonal line from one corner to the opposite corner on the reverse of one HST—it should flow across the seam.
    6. Use the same technique to sew the squares together, aligning contrasting sides of the units right sides together.
    7. After cutting the new units apart on the new diagonal line, you will have two quarter square triangle units (QST) that measure 3 1/2-inches by 3 1/2 inches. Set one aside and use it for a second quilt block.
    Examples of five Labyrinth block quilt pieces.
    Janet Wickell
  2. Make the Flying Geese

    Use the no-waste flying geese tutorial if you need assistance. It is one of the most accurate ways to make flying geese and is super simple, with far less trimming up and cutting than many other techniques.

    1. Pair (4) 2 1/2-inch-by-2 1/2-inch Fabric A squares with the 4 1/4-inch-by-4 1/4-inch Fabric C square to make four flying geese that measure two inches by 3 1/2 inches.
    2. Pair (4) 2 1/2-inch-by-2 1/2-inch Fabric D squares with the remaining 4 1/4-inch-by- 4 1/4-inch Fabric A square to make four flying geese that measure two inches by 3 1/2 inches.
  3. Assemble the Labyrinth Quilt Block

    Use a calibrated 1/4-inch seam allowance to assemble the quilt block and make sure to press carefully but thoroughly.

    Pressing to set a seam before pressing to one side always improves accuracy.

    1. Gather four A/C half-square triangle units, four A/D flying geese, and the A/D quarter square triangle unit.
    2. Arrange the components into three rows. Check to make sure all angles are oriented correctly.
    3. Sew the components of each row together.
    4. Press seam allowances towards the flying geese.
    5. Join the rows, matching seam intersections and row ends carefully. Use straight pins to keep fabrics from shifting as you sew.
    6. Press seam allowances toward the center of the block.
    7. The quilt block should measure 6 1/2 inches by 6 1/2 inches.
    Two Labyrinth quilt blocks with one taken apart.
    Janet Wickell
  4. Sew the First Interwoven Border

    1. Gather four B/C half-square triangle units and two Fabric B two-inch-by-3 1/2-inch rectangles.
    2. Arrange one rectangle and two of the triangle units on opposite sides of the square, taking care to orient angles as shown upper left.
    3. Sew each vertical component together and press seam allowances toward the HST units.
    4. Sew each to the block, upper right illustration.
    5. Gather four more B/C HST units, two two-inch-by-five-inch Fabric B rectangles, and two two-inch-by-two-inch Fabric B squares.
    6. Arrange the squares. The square is positioned next to the right edge of the right HST unit in the top row; the square is on the left edge of the left HST unit in the bottom row.
    7. Sew row components together. Press seam allowances towards the HST units. (You can alter pressing if you wish.)
    8. Sew the top and bottom rows to the quilt block.
    Four Labyrinth quilt block pieces deconstructed.
    Janet Wickell
  5. Finish Sewing the Labyrinth Quilt Block

    1. Gather two two-inch-by-3 1/2-inch Fabric A rectangles and two Fabric A/C flying geese.
    2. Create two columns with the patchwork by sewing one geese unit between two rectangles (for opposite sides of the partial block).
    3. Sew the patchwork in each column together and press seam allowances toward the geese.
    4. Sew each column to its side of the block. Press seam allowances towards the block.
    5. Gather the 2 two-inch-by-five-inch Fabric A rectangles and the two remaining Fabric A/C flying geese.
    6. Use the pieces to create an upper and lower border. Press seam allowances toward the geese, and sew the two strips to the quilt block.
    7. Press. The block should measure 12 1/2 inches by 12 1/2 inches.

    If you like interwoven quilt blocks, consider the Around the Twist quilt block pattern (a Celtic twist).

    Four Labyrinth quilt blocks with the completed one in the lower right corner.
    Janet Wickell
  1. Make a 24-Inch Labyrinth Quilt Block

    Refer back to the original instructions for assembly steps.

    Fabric A, Outer Border, and Star Background

    • (4) 3 1/2-inch-by-9 1/2-inch rectangles
    • (4) 3 1/2-inch-by-6 1/2-inch rectangles
    • (2) 3 7/8-inch-by-3 7/8-inch squares (for half-square triangle units, cut larger squares and then trim the units back after assembly to improve accuracy)
    • (4) 3 7/8-inch-by-3 7/8-inch squares (do not cut these oversize)
    • (2) 7 1/4-inch-by-7 1/4-inch squares (one for flying geese and the other for QST in the center)

    Fabric B (Darkest Woven Border)

    • (4) 3 7/8-inch-by-3 7/8-inch squares (or larger to match others cut for HSTs)
    • (2) 3 1/2-inch-by-9 1/-inch rectangles
    • (2) 3 1/2-inch-by-6 1/2-inch rectangles
    • (2) 3 1/2-inch-by-3 1/2-inch squares

    Fabric C (Light Woven Border)

    • (6) 3 7/8-inch-by-3 7/8-inch squares (or larger to match others cut for HSTs)
    • (1) 7 1/4-inch-by-7 1/4-inch square for flying geese

    Fabric D (Inner Star Tips)

    • (4) 3 7/8-inch-by-3 7/8-inch squares (do not cut oversize)