How to Sew a Garden Path Quilt Block

Today we’ll learn how to sew a Garden Path quilt block together. This block finishes at 12″ square and looks good using one darker color for the focal diamond and scraps for the rest of the colored print patches.

Fabric Requirements:

• 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:

Step 1:

Flying Geese Units:

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

Here you can see how I pressed the seam allowances.

Step 3:

Half-Square Triangle Units:

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 4:

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.

Step 5:

Corner Units:

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.

Step 6:

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

Putting It All Together:

Step 7:

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

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

Step 8:

Press seam allowances toward the Flying Geese units.

Step 9:

Sew the rows together.

Step 10:

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

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!

Happy Quilting!

Elaine