Easy Quilt Block Pattern - Santa Fe Trail
Today we're going to look at this easy quilt block called the Santa Fe Trail. There are other quilt blocks and patterns that go by the same name but the one we're concerned with was designed by Judy Martin. It's quick to sew together and you can use 2.5" strips for the entire block! Let's get sewing!
Fabric Requirements for a 10" Finished Santa Fe Trail Quilt Block:
- Light/Ivory: 12 - 2.5" squares
- Medium 1/Purple: 4 - 2.5" squares
- Medium 2/Teal: 4 - 2.5" x 6.5" rectangles, 1 - 2.5" square
- Dark/Red: 4 - 2.5" squares
Nine Patch Unit:
Step 1:
The first thing to do is sew together a Nine Patch unit using 4 Light/Ivory 2.5" squares, 4 Dark/Red 2.5" squares, and the Medium 2/Teal 2.5" square as shown in the picture below. You can find my tutorial for making a Nine Patch block at: https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/how-to-sew-a-basic-nine-patch-quilt-block
Step 2:
I pressed the seam allowances using the tweak/twirl/furl method as you can see below but you can press however you like. I explain this method of pressing in my tutorial for a Four Patch block which you can find at https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/how-to-sew-a-basic-four-patch-quilt-block
Side Units:
Step 3:
We are going to use the 4 Medium 2/Teal 2.5" x 6.5" rectangles and 8 Light/Ivory 2.5" squares to make this Side unit. It really is just snowballing two corners of the teal rectangle with the ivory squares. My tutorial for sewing a Snowball block is at https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/how-to-sew-a-basic-snowball-block. In the picture below you can see the steps I took in making this unit. Make four Side units.
Putting It All Together:
Step 4:
Lay out the Nine Patch unit, the four Side units, and the 4 - Medium 1/Purple 2.5" squares as shown in the picture below.
Step 5:
Now you can sew the units together just like a Nine Patch block. Sew the units into three rows as shown in the picture below.
Step 6:
Press the seam allowances away from the Medium 2/Teal fabric as shown below.
Step 7:
Sew the three rows together as shown in the picture below.
Step 8:
Press the seam allowances however you prefer. I've use the tweak/twirl/furl method again as you can from the picture below. You are done! Told you it was easy!
Layout Ideas:
This is an example of the basic 4 x 4 layout using colors similar to the tutorial.
And here it is with narrow (1") sashing and cornerstones.
This is an alternating layout where every other block is a chain block.
Another alternating block using a modified Snowball block for the alternate block.
This is an alternating on-point layout where the chain block extends into the setting triangles.
This on-point layout has coordinating narrow sashing and cornerstones and the light blue fabric is used for the setting triangles.
Conclusion:
This Santa Fe Trail block was quick, easy, and fun to put together. You could make it from leftover 2.5" strips or use a jelly roll to make an entire quilt that looks scrappy but everything matches perfectly! When I was taking a picture of the layout, I turned the Side units around and came up with a star pattern very similar to a Sister's Choice block. You can see that layout below.
I hope you've enjoyed this easy Santa Fe Trail quilt block. I encourage you to give it a try!
If you like this tutorial and want to see more, simply click HERE to sign up for my newsletter plus receive a free PDF quilt pattern called "Chained Weathervane".
Happy Quilting!
Elaine
P.S. Looking for more easy blocks? Take a look at these fun block tutorials: https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/tagged/tutorials_beginning-blocks
P.P.S. Check out my Etsy shop at https://www.etsy.com/shop/fabric406