Updated
November 11, 2015.
Easy Patchwork Quilt Block Pattern
Paths and Stiles is an easy quilt block pattern. The design has been known by other names over the years, including 'Friendship,' because one of its panels is sometimes used to hold a signature when friends get together to sew a gift quilt.
- Light fabrics and dark fabrics were often reversed in this design.
- Some quilt blocks known as Paths and Stiles block have a nine-patch center.
Finished Paths and Stiles quilt block: 9" x 9"
The cutting instructions result in two identical quilt blocks. Repeat to make additional blocks from a scrappy assortment of fabric.
Quilting Fabrics
- Choose a white or white on white fabric for backgrounds.
- Choose a small to medium scale floral for other areas. Try to avoid floral fabrics with lots of white -- those areas could blend into the white background fabric.
Vary the fabrics as much as you wish. Maybe you'd prefer a dark background. Or maybe you'd like a center that doesn't match the other fabrics. Use your own ideas to create a quilt.
Cutting Chart for Two Paths and Stiles Quilt Blocks
From the floral fabric, cut:
- Two strips 1-1/2" x 15"
- Four 3-7/8" squares (or slightly larger to trim back after sewing)
- Two 3-1/2" squares
From the white fabric, cut:
- Four strips 1-1/2" x 15"
- Four 3-7/8" squares (or slightly larger to trim back after sewing)
This pattern was written for quilting block exchange, where quilters typically sew with small pieces of fabric from their stash of leftovers.
Make additional, identical quilt blocks by increasing the numbers of squares and either lengthening the 1-1/2" wide strips or cutting additional shorter strips to yield more segments.
