Tulip Lady Fingers Quilt Block Tutorial

Today let's look at the Tulip Lady Fingers quilt block. It's still a little early for tulips in my neck of the woods so this block is a welcome reminder that spring is just around the corner. This traditional block first appeared in the Ladies Art Company publication and is quick and easy. Let's get started!

Fabric Requirements for a 12" Finished Tulip Lady Fingers Quilt Block:

• Light/White: 4 - 4.5" squares, 4 - 3" squares, and 4 - 2.5" squares
• Medium/Blue: 1 - 4.5" square, and 4 - 2.5" squares
• Dark/Pink: 4 - 3" squares

Sewing Directions:

Half Square Triangle Units:

Step 1:

Using the Light/White 3" squares and the Dark/Pink 3" squares, sew together eight Half Square Triangle (HST) units as shown in the picture below. Trim/square up the units to 2.5" square. You can find my tutorial for making HSTs at https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/how-to-sew-a-basic-half-square-triangle-block

Corner Units:

Step 2:

Lay out two of the Half Square Triangle units you made in Step 1, one Light/White 2.5" square, and one Medium/Blue 2.5" square as shown in the picture below.

Step 3:

The Corner units go together just like a typical Four Patch block at this point. Sew the patches into two rows and press the seam allowances away from the Half Square Triangles as shown below.

Step 4:

Now just sew the two rows together and press the seam allowances. In the picture below you can see that I've used the tweak/twirl/furl method of pressing the seam allowances. Repeat Steps 2 through 4 for a total of four Corner units. 

Putting It All Together:

Step 5:

Lay out the Corner units, the Light/White 4.5" squares, and the Medium/Blue 4.5" square in a typical Nine Patch configuration as shown below.

Step 6:

Now you can just sew the patches into three rows, and...

Step 7:

Press the seam allowances toward the Light/White 4.5" squares as shown in the picture below.

Step 8:

Simply sew the three rows together - easy, peasy.

Step 9:

And press the seam allowances toward the center of the block as shown below.

Conclusion:

I told you this was quick and easy! It was very satisfying to get a block done quickly. I think it would look really great as a 9" block. And changing up the size of the center patch (and the corresponding light squares) would make the Tulip Lady Fingers quilt block look totally different. Oooh, this block might make a great Disappearing Nine Patch too! Lots of opportunity to play with the block!

I hope you've enjoyed this Tulip Lady Fingers quilt block!

Happy Quilting!

Elaine

P.S. If you liked this post and want to see more quilting tutorials like this, simply click here to sign up for my newsletter and also receive a free PDF quilt pattern called "Chained Weathervane".