Free Pattern – Crowning Glory Quilt Block
The Crowning Glory quilt block is a charming traditional block that makes for a lovely quilt. The four-color block is easier to make than it looks! So grab your fabrics and let’s get started on this block!
Fabric Requirements for a 12" Finished Crowning Glory Block:
- Light/White: 4 – 4.5″ squares
- Light/Yellow: 2 – 5.5″ squares, and 4 – 2.5″ squares
- Medium/Blue: 2 – 5.5″ squares, and 8 – 2.5″ squares
- Dark/Dark Blue: 1 – 4.5″ square
Sewing Directions:
Hourglass Units:
Step 1:
Using the Light/Yellow 5.5″ squares and the Medium/Blue 5.5″ squares, make 4 Hourglass units. You can find my tutorial for the Hourglass block here: https://fabric-406.myshopify.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/how-to-sew-a-basic-hourglass-or-quarter-square-triangle-block
Birds in the Air Variation Unit:
Step 2:
This unit is put together just like the Birds in Air unit tutorial I did a few weeks ago. The only difference is that we start with a plain 2.5″ square instead of a 2.5″ Half Square Triangle unit. You can see the Birds in the Air directions at: https://fabric-406.myshopify.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/birds-in-the-air-quilt-block-pattern
L-Shaped Unit:
Step 3:
Sew a 2.5″ Light/Yellow square to Medium/Blue 2.5″ square as show below.
Step 4:
Press the seam allowance toward the Medium/Blue 2.5″ square.
Step 5:
Next you sew the other 2.5″ Medium/Blue square to an adjacent side of the 2.5″ Light/Yellow square.
Step 6:
Press the seam allowance toward the Medium/Blue 2.5″ square.
Step 7:
Take the 4.5″ Light/White square and mark a diagonal line on the back from corner to corner as shown below.
Step 8:
Pair up the marked 4.5″ Light/White square an L-shaped unit.
Step 9:
Sew on the marked line. I prefer to sew right next to the marked line as you can see in the picture below. This method takes into account the thickness of the fabric and thread when opening up the block.
Step 10:
Fold the 4.5″ Light/White square along the stitching line. Line up the corners and press.
Step 11:
Unfold the Light/White 4.5″ square and trim away the excess seam allowance.
Step 12:
Open the block back up and trim/square up the unit to a 4.5″ square if needed. Repeat to make a total of 4 Birds in the Air Variation units.
Putting it All Together:
Step 13:
Lay out the Hourglass units, the Birds in the Air Variation units, and the Dark Blue 4.5″ square (center square) in a typical Nine-Patch configuration as shown below.
Step 14:
Now you need to sew the units into 3 rows as shown in the picture below, and …
Step 15:
Press the seam allowances away from the Hourglass units as you can see in the picture below.
Step 16:
Almost done! Sew the 3 rows together to make the block.
Step 17:
Press seam allowances toward the inside of the block. Square up and/or trim the block to a 12.5″ square if necessary.
Layout Ideas:
Here's your basic 4 x 4 layout in similar colors to the tutorial. I like the diagonal design that appears!
This is the same layout but with sashing and cornerstones added.
This example uses a large Hourglass block for an alternating block.
This version uses a simple chain block as an alternating block. I like how it complements the Crowning Glory block.
For an on-point example I used sashing and cornerstones in the dark blue and used the background fabric for the setting triangles.
This is another on-point layout using a two-color chain block as an alternating block and for the setting triangles.
In Conclusion:
This block is pretty easy to do. The method I use to make the Birds in the Air unit is easier than cutting triangles – or at least I think so!
It took me awhile to figure out the “crown” part of the block – lol! It’s where I’ve used yellow. I hope you enjoy making this Crowning Glory quilt block!
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. In case you missed it, check out my roundup post of easy quilt blocks at https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/30-easy-quilt-block-tutorials-for-the-beginning-quilter
P.P.S. Check out my patterns I have for sale on Etsy at https://www.etsy.com/shop/fabric406