A Variation of the Joseph's Coat Quilt Block - a Traditional Pieced Block
The Joseph’s Coat quilt block is a timeless design rich with symbolism and history, evoking the vibrant story of Joseph’s coat of many colors from the Bible. This tutorial presents a simplified variation of this classic block, designed with confident beginners in mind. While staying true to its traditional roots, scrappy or planned, this 15-inch finished block is easier to sew than the original, making it accessible without sacrificing its striking, colorful appeal.
Whether you're drawn to its biblical inspiration or its stunning design, this variation of Joseph’s Coat offers a delightful way to bring history and creativity into your quilting.
Fabric Requirements for a 15" Finished Joseph's Coat Quilt Block:
- Light/White: 2 - 3.5" squares, 8 - 3" squares, and 8 - 2.5" x 5.5" rectangles
- Light Green: 8 - 2.5" squares
- Yellow: 8 - 2.5" squares, and 4 - 1.5" x 5.5" rectangles
- Dark Green: 2- 3.5" squares, and 5 - 5.5" squares
- The picture below isn't quite correct, but is still a fair representation of the required fabric patches.
Sewing Directions:
Half Square Triangles:
Step 1:
Using the White and the Dark Green 3.5" squares, sew together four Half Square Triangle units. Here are the steps corresponding to the images in the picture below.
- Match up a White square and a Dark Green square right sides together. Mark a diagonal line from corner to corner on the back of the White square and sew 1/4" (or a little less) on each side of the line.
- Cut along the diagonal line. You will have 2 half-square triangle patches.
- Open up the patch and press the seam allowance toward the Dark Green fabric.
- Square up/trim the units to 3" square.
Step 2:
Repeat for a total of four Half Square Triangle units.
Corner Units:
Step 3:
Sew a White 3" square to one of the Step 2 units and press the seam allowance toward the White fabric as shown in the picture below.
Step 4:
Sew another White 3" square to the adjacent side of the Half Square Triangle unit and press the seam allowance toward the White fabric as shown below.
Step 5:
Repeat Steps 3 and 4 for a total of four units like the ones in the picture below.
Step 6:
Mark a diagonal line going from corner to corner on the back of the Step 5 units as shown in the picture below.
Step 7:
Using a Dark Green 5.5" square and Step 6 unit, sew together Corner unit. In the picture below you can see the four steps (top to bottom, left to right).
- Lay a Step 6 unit on top of a Dark Green 5.5" square and sew together along the marked line.
- Match up the corners of the Dark Green square and press.
- Unfold the Dark Green square and trim away the excess seam allowance. (You can save the leftover triangles for another project if you want.)
- Refold to complete the Corner unit.
Step 8:
Repeat Step 7 for a total of four Corner units.
Elongated Flying Geese Units:
Step 9:
Using 8 Light Green 2.5" squares and 4 White 2.5" x 5.5" rectangles, sew together four Elongated Flying Geese units. This unit is like a Flying Geese block except that the rectangle is longer. The picture below shows the first four steps.
- Mark a diagonal line from corner to corner on the back of the Light Green 2.5" squares.
- Sew a Light Green 2.5" square to a White rectangle along the marked line (top image). Note the orientation of the marked line.
- Match the corners of the Light Green square and press (second image).
- Open the small square up and trim the seam allowance (third image).
- Refold (bottom image).
Step 10:
Repeat Step 9 on the adjacent corner as shown below.
Step 11:
Repeat Steps 9 and 10 for a total of four Light Green/White Elongated Flying Geese units.
Step 12:
Repeat Steps 9 through 11 only substituting the Yellow 2.5" squares for the Light Green ones.
Middle Units:
Step 13:
Sew a Step 11 unit, a Step 12 unit, and a Yellow 1.5" x 5.5" rectangle together as shown in the picture below. Press the seam allowance toward the Yellow rectangle.
Step 14:
Repeat Step 13 for a total of four Middle units.
Putting It All Together:
Step 15:
Lay out the Corner units, the Middle units, and the Dark Green 5.5" square as shown below. From here the block goes together like a Nine Patch block.
Step 16:
Sew the units into three rows.
Step 17:
Press the seam allowances away from the Middle units as shown in the picture below.
Step 18:
Sew the three rows together to complete the block.
Step 19:
Press the seam allowance toward the center of the block as shown below.
Layout Ideas:
Here's the basic 4 x 4 layout using similar colors to the tutorial.
This is an example of the above layout only with colored sashing and cornerstones added.
This version uses a simple chain block as an alternating block.
This color example makes the star stand out.
Of course, being as it's called Joseph's Coat, we have to have a scrappy version. I kept the star shape as one color and the rest is scrappy.
For this layout, I set it on-point, added in colored sashing and cornerstones, and used a light blue for the background and setting triangles.
And this on-point layout has an alternating chain block that continues into the setting triangles.
In this version, I switched out the background and dark colors of the Corner units. Really changes the whole look!
Conclusion:
I enjoyed putting this block together and playing with color placement in the layouts. There are a lot of pieces and steps but it makes a large block so you don't need so many to make a quilt. A 3 x 4 layout would be 45" x 60" - add a border and you've got a nice-sized throw!
I hope you have enjoyed this tutorial. If you like it and want to see more, just click HERE to sign up for my newsletter and receive a free PDF quilt pattern called "Chained Weathervane".
Happy Quilting!
Elaine
P.S. Looking for more star block ideas? Check out this post: https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/30-of-the-best-star-quilt-block-patterns
P.P.S. Check out my Etsy shop at https://www.etsy.com/shop/fabric406