How to Sew a Garden Path Quilt Block

Looking to add a touch of charm and movement to your next quilt? The Garden Path quilt block is a beautiful choice! This 12" block features a diamond-shaped frame that gently guides the eye through your quilt, creating a sense of flow and direction—just like a winding garden path.

Whether you choose a scrappy style for a playful, eclectic look or a carefully planned color scheme for a more polished design, this block shines in any setting. Let’s walk through how to piece it together, step by step.

Fabric Requirements for a 12" Finished Garden Path Quilt Block:

• Light: 8 – 2.5″ squares; 6 – 3″ squares; 4 – 2.5″ x 4.5″ rectangles
• Dark Blue: 8 – 2.5″ squares; 2 – 3″ squares; 4 – 2.5″ x 4.5″ rectangles
• Assorted Colors: 8 – 2.5″ squares; 4 – 3″ squares

Sewing Directions:

Flying Geese Units:

Step 1:

First you need to make some Flying Geese units.

Using 4 Dark Blue 2.5″ x 4.5″ rectangle and 8 Light 2.5″ squares, make 4 Flying Geese units as shown at the top of the picture. Then switch it up and make 4 Flying Geese units using 4 Light 2.5″ x 4.5″ rectangles and 8 Light 2.5″ squares – as shown at the bottom of the picture. You can see my detailed instructions at https://fabric-406.myshopify.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/how-to-sew-a-basic-flying-geese-block

Step 2:

Sew together 2 of the Flying Geese units as shown below. 

Step 3:

Press the seam allowance toward the top Flying Geese unit as shown.

Half Square Triangle Units:

Step 4:

The next step is to make 12 Half-Square Triangle units.

Using the 2 Dark Blue 3″ squares, 4 Assorted Color 3″ squares, and 6 Light 3″ squares, make 12 Half-Square Triangle units. Trim units to 2.5″ squares. Press seam allowances away from the Light fabric. You can find my detailed instructions for making Half-Square Triangles at https://fabric-406.myshopify.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/how-to-sew-a-basic-half-square-triangle-block

Step 5:

At this point, I like to lay out all the units of the block and arrange the Half-Square Triangles and 2.5″ Assorted Colors squares in a pleasing way.

Corner Units:

Step 6:

To make the four corner units, use the Half-Square Triangle units and four Assorted Color 2.5″ squares to make four basic Four-Patch units. These are the corner units of the block. For instructions on making a Four-Patch unit, look here: https://fabric-406.myshopify.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/how-to-sew-a-basic-four-patch-quilt-block

Here you can see the directions that I pressed the seam allowances. You'll notice that I used the tweak/twirl/furl method of pressing. 

Step 7:

Next you need to make a basic Four-Patch unit for the center of the block.

Putting It All Together:

Step 8:

Lay out the Flying Geese units, the Corner units, and the center Four-Patch unit you have made as shown in the picture below. 

Step 9:

Now the block goes together just like a basic Nine-Patch block. Sew the units together in 3 rows.

Step 10:

Press seam allowances toward the Flying Geese units.

Step 11:

Sew the three rows together.

Step 12:

Press seam allowances toward the outside of the block. You’re done!

Layout Ideas:

Conclusion:

I really like this Garden Path quilt block. You can use up a lot of small scraps while still having a quilt that has great design in it! I hope you have enjoyed it too!

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.  Looking for more scrap-busting blocks? Check out this roundup blog post: https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/40-of-the-best-free-scrappy-quilt-block-tutorials

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