Traditional Quilt Block - Eddystone Light

Today we're going to look at the traditional quilt block Eddystone Light. I was drawn to this block - was it the star (I'm partial to star blocks) or the outside border? Either way, it's a fun block to do - not super easy but not too difficult either.

I was also intrigued by the name Eddystone Light so I did some research. A very famous lighthouse off the coast of England is called Eddystone Lighthouse. It was the first recorded off-shore lighthouse. Additionally, Eddystone is also used as a metaphor for stability. I can only assume this quilt block was named after the lighthouse. Perhaps some quilter's husband was a sea-faring man and his ship was saved from the dangerous coral reefs by the lighthouse and she designed a block to commemorate the event. (Okay, I know I'm being melodramatic, but it could've happened!)

Let's get started!

Fabric Requirements for a 12" Eddystone Light:

• Light/Ivory: 8 - 2.5" x 4.5" rectangles, and 8 - 2.5" squares
• Light/Ivory Print: 1 - 4.5" square
• Medium/Brown: 4 - 2.5" x 4.5" rectangles, and 8 - 2.5" squares
• Dark/Red: 16 - 2.5" squares

Sewing Directions:

Flying Geese Units:

Step 1:

Using the Medium/Brown 2.5" x 4.5" rectangles and the Light/Ivory 2.5" squares, make four Flying Geese units as shown in the picture below. You can find my tutorial for making Flying Geese blocks at https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/how-to-sew-a-basic-flying-geese-block

Step 2:

Using the Light/Ivory 2.5" x 4.5" rectangles and the Dark/Red 2.5" squares, make eight Flying Geese as shown in the picture below.

Center Unit:

Step 3:

Using the picture below as a reference, lay out the Medium/Tan Flying Geese units, the Light/Ivory Print 4.5" square, and 4 of the Medium/Tan 2.5" squares to make the Center unit. This is a basic Ohio Star block.

Step 4:

Sew the patches into three rows as shown by the picture below.

Step 5:

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

Step 6:

Now you can sew the three rows together to make the Center unit/Ohio Star.

Step 7:

And press the seam allowances toward the center as shown in the picture below.

Border Units:

Step 8:

Pair up two of the Dark/Red and Light/Ivory Flying Geese units and sew together along a short side as shown in the picture below.

Step 9:

Press the seam allowance open as shown below. Repeat Steps 8 and 9 for a total of four Border Units.

Putting It All Together:

Step 10:

Using the picture below as a reference, lay out the Center unit, the Border units, and the remaining four Medium/Brown 2.5" squares.

Step 11:

Sew the above units into three rows as shown in the picture below and ...

Step 12:

Press the seam allowances away from the Border units as depicted in the picture below.

Step 13:

Sew the three rows together as shown below and you're all done except for the pressing!

Step 14:

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

In Conclusion:

I enjoyed putting this traditional quilt block Eddystone Light together. The hardest part for me was getting the points right in the Border units but they turned out okay. I've seen this block done with different color orientations and different piecing techniques too. Totally changes the look of the block! I did make this my own by using a print for the center 4.5" square - traditionally, it would have been in the Light/Ivory fabric. 

I hope you've enjoyed this Eddystone Light quilt block! If you like this tutorial and want to see more, simply click HERE to sign up for my newsletter and receive a free PDF quilt pattern called "Chained Weathervane".

Happy Quilting!

Elaine