How to Make the Arrow Crown Quilt Block - a Free Tutorial

Today let's take a look at the traditional Arrow Crown quilt block. This classic block uses Hourglass, Half-Square Triangles and Flying Geese to make a stunning block. Part weathervane, part star, part square in a square, it really is lovely! Let's get started!

Fabric Requirements for a 16" Finished Arrow Crown Quilt Block:

• Light/White: 2 - 5.5" squares, 4 - 3" squares, and 20 - 2.5" squares
• Medium/Green: 1 - 4.5" square, and 4 - 3" squares
• Medium/Blue: 4 - 3" squares, and 4 - 2.5" squares
• Dark/Red: 4 - 2.5" x 4.5" rectangles
• Dark/Black: 2 - 5.5" squares, 4 - 3" squares, and 4 - 2.5" squares

Sewing Directions:

Hourglass Units:

Step 1:

First, using the 2 Light/White 5.5" squares and the 2 Dark/Black 5.5" squares, sew together four Hourglass units as shown in the picture below. Trim units to 4.5" square. You can find my method for making a basic Hourglass block at https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/how-to-sew-a-basic-hourglass-or-quarter-square-triangle-block

Half-Square Triangle Units:

Step 2:

Next you'll need to make eight Half Square Triangle units using the Light/White and Medium/Green 3" squares. Press the seam allowance toward the Green fabric. Trim units to 2.5" square. You'll find my tutorial for making Half Square Triangles at https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/how-to-sew-a-basic-half-square-triangle-block and also for making eight at a time at https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/two-easy-methods-for-making-half-square-triangle-quilt-blocks

Step 3:

Repeat Step 2 only using the Medium/Blue and Dark/Black 3" squares. Press the seam allowance toward the Black fabric and trim to 2.5" square.

Flying Geese Units:

Step 4:

Using the Light/White 2.5" squares and the Dark/Red 2.5" x 4.5" rectangles, make four Flying Geese units. For a detailed step-by-step tutorial for making a basic Flying Geese block, check out my blog post at https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/how-to-sew-a-basic-flying-geese-block.  In the picture below you can see the first four steps.

Step 5:

And here is a picture showing the last steps to complete the Flying Geese units.

Step 6:

Make four Flying Geese units.

Corner Unit:

Step 7:

Lay out three Light/White 2.5" squares, two White/Green Half Square Triangle units, two Blue/Black Half Square Triangle units, one Blue 2.5" square, and one Black 2.5" square as shown in the picture below. This unit goes together like a basic Nine Patch block.

Step 8:

Sew the units together into three rows as shown.

 

Step 9:

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

Step 10:

Sew the three rows together as shown below.

Step 11:

Press the seam allowances away from the center of the unit as shown in the picture below. Repeat for a total of four Corner units.

Middle Unit:

Step 12:

Match up a Step 1 Hourglass unit and a Step 6 Flying Geese unit and sew together as shown in the picture below. Press the seam allowance toward the Hourglass unit. Repeat for a total of four Middle units.

Putting It All Together:

Step 13:

Lay out the Corner units, the Middle units, and the Medium/Green 4.5" square as shown below. We're almost done!

Step 14:

Sew the units together into three rows as shown.

Step 15:

Press the seam allowances away from the Middle units as shown in the picture below.

Step 16:

Sew the three rows together, and 

Step 17:

Press the seam allowances. I found it easier to press toward the center of the block. However, you can press which ever direction you wish. You're done!

Layout Options:

Here's the basic 4 x 4 layout. It's a little busy but I do like how a green star appears at the junctions of the blocks.

 

And here it is with sashing and cornerstones added:

In this example I used a chain block (which uses the center of the Arrow Crown block) as an alternating block. 

I switched up the color palette with this one and used a different alternating chain block.

Here's the basic 3 x 3 on-point layout with setting triangles. Amazing what a difference the on-point layouts make.

And finally, here's an example using partial blocks for the setting triangles and an alternating chain block. Cute!

Conclusion:

While there are a lot of steps to make this block, none of them are very difficult. I had fun picking out fabrics from my stash and really like how the block turned out! Give it a try!

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. You can learn how to piece the basic quilt blocks at https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/tagged/basic-blocks-tutorials