Free Jacob's Ladder Quilt Block Tutorial

Looking for a classic quilt block that's easy to make and full of timeless charm? The Jacob’s Ladder block is a perfect choice! This 12" block is made entirely with half-square triangles and simple squares, making it a great project for beginners or a quick finish for more experienced quilters.

While there are many variations of the Jacob’s Ladder design, today we’re keeping it simple with the traditional layout. It’s a versatile block that looks great in everything from scrappy styles to two-color combos—let’s get started!

 

Fabric Requirements for a 12" Finished Jacob's Ladder Quilt Block:

• Light/Ivory: 2 - 5" squares, and 10 - 2.5" squares
• Medium/Peach: 2 - 5" squares
• Dark/Green: 10 - 2.5" squares

Sewing Directions:

Half Square Triangle Units:

Step 1:

Using the Light/Ivory and Medium/Peach 5" squares, sew together four Half Square Triangle units as shown in the picture below. Press the seam allowance toward the Medium/Peach fabric. Trim/square up the units to 4.5" square. You can find a tutorial for making a basic Half Square Triangle block at https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/how-to-sew-a-basic-half-square-triangle-block

Four Patch Units:

Step 2:

Next make five Four Patch units using the Light/Ivory and Dark/Green 2.5" squares as shown below. You will find my tutorial for making Four Patch blocks in all sorts of different ways at https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/how-to-sew-a-basic-four-patch-quilt-block I pressed my seam allowances using the tweak/twirl/furl method.

Putting It All Together:

Step 3:

Wow! This is going together quick! Lay out the Step 1 and 2 units as shown in the picture below. From here the Jacob's Ladder block goes together just like a basic Nine Patch block.

Step 4:

Sew the units together into three rows as shown below.

Step 5:

Press the seam allowances away from the Half Square Triangle units as shown in the picture below.

Step 6:

To finish up the block, sew the three rows together.

Step 7:

And press the seam allowances toward the center of the block as shown in the picture below. You're done!

Layout Ideas:

Conclusion:

The Jacob's Ladder block went together super fast! There are so many variations of this block from using just a light and a dark fabric to turning the Half Square Triangles and/or the Four Patch units 90 degrees. You could really have fun playing around with this block.