How to Make the Louisiana Quilt Block – a Pinwheel Variation

By: Elaine Huff

The Louisiana quilt block is a classic pinwheel variation pattern from Hearth and Home magazine's state block series published from 1907 to 1912. This 8" block uses only flying geese units and rectangles making it a quick, satisfying project for quilters of any skill level. Read on for a step-by-step tutorial on piecing this traditional design.

louisiana quilt block

Fabric Requirements for an 8" Finished Louisiana Quilt Block:

  • Light/White: 4 - 2.5" x 4.5" rectangles,
  • Medium/Print: 8 - 2.5" squares
  • Dark/Green: 4 - 2.5" x 4.5" rectangles
louisiana fabric requirements

Sewing Directions:

Flying Geese Units:

Step 1:

Using eight Medium/Print 2.5" squares and four Dark/Green 2.5" x 4.5" rectangles, sew together four Flying Geese units. For a detailed tutorial of my no-trim method for making perfect Flying Geese blocks check out https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/how-to-sew-a-basic-flying-geese-block. The picture below shows the first steps.

  • Mark a diagonal line from corner to corner on the back of the Medium/Print 2.5" squares.
  • Sew a Medium/Print 2.5" square to a Dark/Green rectangle along the marked line (top image). Note the orientation of the marked line. 
  • Match the corners of the Medium/Print square and press (second image). 
  • Open the square up and trim the seam allowance (third image). 
  • Refold (bottom image).
louisiana 1

Step 2:

Repeat Step 1 on the adjacent corner of the Dark/Green rectangle.
 
louisiana 2

Step 3:

Repeat Steps 1 and 2 for a total of four Flying Geese units like the ones in the picture below.
 
louisiana 3

Corner Units:

Step 4:

Match up a Step 3 Flying Geese unit with a Light/White 2.5" x 4.5" rectangle as shown.
 
louisiana 4

Step 5:

Sew the two units together and press the seam allowance toward the white fabric as shown in the picture below.
 
louisiana 5
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Step 6:

Repeat Steps 4 and 5 for a total of four Corner units like the ones shown below.
 
louisiana 6

Putting It All Together:

Step 7:

Lay out the four Corner units as shown in the picture below. From here the units are sewn together like a basic Four Patch block.
 
louisiana 7

Step 8:

Sew the units into two rows.
 
louisiana 8

Step 9:

Press the seam allowances toward the Dark/Green fabric as shown below.
 
louisiana 9

Step 10:

Sew the two rows together and...
 
louisiana 10

Step 11:

Press the seam allowance. As you can see I've used the tweak/twirl/furl method for pressing. You're done - that was quick and easy!

louisiana 11

Layout Ideas:

This is an example of the basic 4 x 4 layout using colors similar to the tutorial.
 
quilt 1
And this is the same layout as above but with narrow (1") sashing and cornerstones added.
 
quilt 2
This is an alternating layout where every other block is a mirror image of the main block. What a different look!
 
quilt 3
Of course I had to do a scrappy example!
 
quilt 4
This is another alternating layout using a simple chain block for the alternate block.
 
quilt 5
Here's another alternating design using a modified (and mirror image) version of the main block for the alternating block.
 
quilt 6
This is a scrappy on-point layout with narrow sashing and cornerstones in a coordinating color. The background fabric is used in the setting triangles.
 
quilt 7
And another on-point design - this one uses a simple chain block for an alternating block that also extends into the setting triangles.
 
quilt 8

Conclusion:

The Louisiana block was so quick and easy to sew together and it's such a cute block! I enjoyed making the block and playing around with layout designs. It would be such a great block for a scrappy quilt!
 

P.S. Looking for more scrappy blocks? Take a look at these fun block tutorials: https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/tagged/scrappy-quilt-block-tutorials

P.P.S. Check out my Etsy shop at https://www.etsy.com/shop/fabric406