The Broken Wheel Quilt Block Tutorial: An Easy 12-Inch Classic with a Colorful Twist

By: Elaine Huff

The Broken Wheel quilt block, also known as Mrs. Miller’s Favorite, is a classic and versatile 12" design that’s perfect for quilters of all skill levels. Traditionally stitched with just a light and a dark fabric, this easy block takes on fresh energy when made in four colors, adding extra depth and movement to the motif.

The pattern comes together quickly with simple Square-in-a-Square units, rectangles, and one center square, creating a bold geometric design that looks beautiful in both traditional and modern color palettes.

Fabric Requirements for a 12" Finished Broken Wheel Quilt Block:

Light/White: 1 - 4.5" square, and 4 - 2.5" x 4.5" rectangles
Medium/Blue: 4 - 4.5" squares
Medium/Purple: 12 - 2.5" squares
Dark/Blue: 4 - 2.5" x 4.5" rectangles, and 4 - 2.5" squares

Sewing Directions:

Two Rectangles Unit:

Step 1:

Pair up the Light/White 2.5" x 4.5" rectangles and the Dark/Blue 2.5" x 4.5" rectangles and sew together along a long side. Press the seam allowance toward the Dark/Blue fabric as shown in the picture below. Repeat for a total of four units.

Square in a Square Units:

Step 2:

Using a Medium/Blue 4.5" square, three Medium/Purple 2.5" squares and a Dark/Blue 2.5" square "snowball" the corners of the Medium/Blue 4.5" square. I like to work on two opposite corners at a time. Click Square in a Square for a detailed tutorial on making this unit. Here are the first steps:

Mark a diagonal line from corner to corner on the back of the 2.5" squares.
Sew a Dark/Blue and a Medium/Purple 2.5" square to opposite corners of the Medium/Blue 4.5" square along the marked line. Note the orientation of the marked lines.
Match the corners of the 2.5" squares and press.
Open up the 2.5" squares and trim the seam allowances.
Refold.
Repeat on the remaining two corners with two more Medium/Purple 2.5" squares.

Step 3:

Repeat Step 2 for a total of four Square in a Square units.

Putting It All Together:

Step 4:

Lay out the Step 1 units, the Step 3 units, and the Light/White 4.5" square as shown in the picture below. From here the block goes together like a basic Nine Patch block.

Step 5:

Sew the units into three rows.

Step 6:

Press the seam allowances toward the Step 1 units as shown in the picture below.

broken wheel 6

Step 7:

Sew the three rows together to complete the block.

Step 8:

Press the seam allowances away from the center of the block as shown in the picture below.

Layout Ideas:

Here's the basic 4 x 4 layout using colors similar to the tutorial.

This is the same layout as above but with 4" sashing and cornerstones added. I did another Square in a Square unit for the cornerstone.

Traditionally, this block is made with only a light and a dark fabric such as in the picture below.

This is an example of an alternating layout using a simple chain block for the alternate block. The Broken Wheel block also has a colored center square.

For a quick and simple quilt, this scrappy alternating layout uses a Snowball block for the alternate block.

This is an on-point layout with coordinating narrow (1") sashing and cornerstones and plain background fabric for the setting triangles.

Conclusion:

The Broken Wheel block was quick and easy to sew together! I especially like the scrappy layout (of course!).

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 easy blocks? Take a look at these beginner-friendly tutorials: https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/tagged/tutorials_beginning-blocks

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