From Janet Wickell,
Your Guide to Quilting.
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Ship at Sea Quilt Block

The Ship at Sea quilt block is made from half-square triangle units, called triangle squares for short, squares, rectangles and a long bar. Ship at Sea is a simple block that goes together quickly.

Wavy blue stripes depict the water underneath the ship and a mottled fabric represents the sky. Both fabrics give the quilt block a somewhat realistic look, but use any fabric you wish, because realism definitely isn't required.

Cutting charts include instructions for two quilt block sizes, a 12" square finished block and a 6" square finished block that might be more appropriate for a child's quilt.

A plain, narrow sashing would look good sewn between multiple Ship at Sea blocks -- and would help you increase your quilt size.

Use a 1/4" seam allowance to sew your quilt block.

Cutting Chart for a 12" x 12" Finished Block

Blue Stripe for water:

• one 3-1/2" x 12-1/2" bar

Black for boat body:

• one 3-1/2" x 6-1/2" rectangle
• one 3-7/8" square

White for sails:

• two 3-7/8" squares

Mottled for sky:

• two 3-1/2" x 6-1/2" rectangles
• three 3-7/8" squares

Cutting Chart for a 6" x 6" Finished Block

Blue Stripe for water:

• one 2" x 6-1/2" bar

Black for boat body:

• one 2" x 3-1/2" rectangle
• one 2-3/8" square

White for sails:

• two 2-3/8" squares

Mottled for sky:

• two 2" x 3-1/2" rectangles
• three 2-3/8" squares