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Jars Quilt Block Pattern

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Introduction to the Jars Quilt Block
Jar Quilt Block Patterns

This type of quilt block is often called a "bug jar," but you can fill it with anything you like.

© Janet Wickell

Bug Jars, Cookie Jars, Candy Jars & More

Most of the jars quilts I've seen depict tall, quart-sized canning jars. I wanted to make something a bit flattened, with more jar width to accommodate prints that extend along the crosswise grain.

Here's the result, a jar in a square. Fill your jars with candy, flower fairies, bugs, cookies... or even people.

The instructions include cutting charts for two block sizes, a 12-inch finished square bug jar block and a smaller block that finishes at 6-inches square.

Use any background you like. Black is pretty effective for many prints and can make the jar seem to pop out from the fabric, but another color might work better with your quilting fabrics.

12-inch Jar Quilt Block Cutting Chart

Jar Contents

  • one 8-1/2" x 8-1/2" square

Jar Cap

  • one 1-3/4" x 5-1/2" bar

Background

  • Block Top: one 2-1/2" x 12-1/2" bar

  • Block Bottom: one 1-1/4" x 12-1/2" bar

  • Block Sides: two 2-1/2" x 8-1/2" bars

  • Cap Sides: two 1-3/4" x 4" bars

  • Jar Corners: four 1-1/2" x 1-1/2" squares

6-inch Jar Quilt Block Cutting Chart

Jar Contents

  • one 4-1/2" x 4-1/2" square

Jar Cap

  • one 1-1/8" x 3" bar

Background

  • Block Top: one 1-1/2" x 6-1/2" bar

  • Block Bottom: one 7/8" x 6-1/2" bar

  • Block Sides: two 1-1/2" x 4-1/2" bars

  • Cap Sides: two 1-1/8" x 2-1/4" bars

  • Jar corners: four 1" x 1" squares

Alternative: Strip Pieced Lid Unit for Four Blocks

12-inch Block

Background: two 7-1/2" x 4" bars

Cap: one 7-1/2" x 5-1/2" bar

  1. Sew a background bar to the cap bar along their 7-1/2" sides. Sew another background bar to the cap's opposite side. Press seam allowances towards the darkest fabric.

  2. Square up one end of the strip set. Cut four 1-3/4" segments from it to create four cap/background units.

6-inch Block

Background: two 4-3/4" x 2-1/4" bars

Cap: one 4-3/4" x 3" bar

Assemble as for larger block. Cut four 1-1/8" segments.

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