How to Create this Variation of the Chain and Knots Quilt Block - a Free Tutorial

Today let's sew together this easy, beginner-friendly variation of the Chain and Knots quilt block. Typically, I use this type of block alternating with a more complicated block but it can be used all on its own in a quick and easy quilt. There's also a three color block at the end. Let's get started!

Fabric Requirements for a 12" Finished Variation of the Chain and Knot Quilt Block:

• Light/Cream: 4 - 2.5" x 8.5" rectangles, 4 - 2.5" x 3.5" rectangles, and 8 - 1.5" squares
• Dark/Brown: 4 - 3.5" squares, 1 - 2.5" square, and 8 - 1.5" squares

Sewing Directions:

Four Patch Units:

Step 1:

Lay out two Dark/Brown 1.5" squares and two Light/Cream 1.5" squares as shown in the picture below. You can read my complete tutorial on making Four Patch blocks at https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/how-to-sew-a-basic-four-patch-quilt-block

Step 2:

Sew the squares into two rows (top left image) and press the seam allowances toward the Dark/Brown fabric (top right image). Then sew the two rows together (bottom left image) and press the seam allowance (bottom right image). You can see in the picture below that I've used the tweak/twirl/furl method for pressing but you can press however you prefer.

Repeat for a total of four Four Patch units.

Center Unit:

Step 3:

Lay out the four Dark/Brown 3.5" squares, the four Light/Cream 2.5" x 3.5" rectangles, and the Dark/Brown 2.5" square as shown in the picture below. This unit goes together like an uneven Nine Patch block.

Step 4:

Sew the patches into three rows as shown below.

Step 5:

Now you can press the seam allowances toward the Dark/Brown fabric as shown. Actually you can press toward the Light/Cream fabric if you prefer.

Step 6:

Now sew the rows together.

Step 7:

Press the seam allowances away from the center of the unit to complete the Center unit.

Putting It All Together:

Step 8:

Lay out the Four Patch units, the Center unit, and the four Light/Cream 2.5" x 8.5" rectangles as shown in the picture below.

 

Step 9:

Sew the units into three rows as shown below.

Step 10:

Press the seam allowances toward the Light/Cream rectangles as shown.

Step 11:

Sew those three rows together and...

Step 12:

Press the seam allowances away from the center of the block as shown. You're done!

Now for a variation of the variation! This one has two darks and the light background.

Fabric Requirements:

• Light/Cream: 4 - 2.5" x 8.5" rectangles, 4 - 2.5" x 3.5" rectangles, and 8 - 1.5" squares
• Dark/Red: 2 - 3.5" squares, and 6 - 1.5" squares
• Dark/Black: 2 - 3.5" squares, and 6 - 1.5" squares

As you can see from the picture below, the center 2.5" square is replaced by a Four Patch unit made with the Red and Black 1.5" squares.

Additionally, there are two corner Four Patch units made with the Cream and Red 1.5" squares and the other two are made with the Cream and Black squares. 

Lay out the units as shown below and sew together just like the original block.

Layout Options:

Here's a typical 5 x 5 layout with a star block for the main focus and the two-color chain block.

Here's the same layout using the three-color chain block and a different star block.

 

Here's the two-color alternating with a plain block. This would be a variation of a single Irish chain quilt.

And here's the same layout using the three-color block.

And a typical on-point layout.

And another on-point layout with the three-color block.

Conclusion:

This Chain and Knot variation is quick and easy to sew together and makes an awesome chain quilt block. I like that the colored square are different sizes which makes it more interesting. 

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. Check out my PDF patterns in the Etsy shop at https://www.etsy.com/shop/fabric406

P.P.S. Check out the original Chain and Knot quilt block tutorial at: https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/easy-single-chain-and-knot-quilt-block-a-single-irish-chain-variation