Two Ways to Make the Double L Quilt Block: A Scrappy Twist on a Classic Design

By: Elaine Huff

The Double L quilt block is a fun and versatile design that’s perfect for using up scraps while adding plenty of movement to your quilt. This 12" block is an easy variation of the traditional Roman Stripe, making it a great choice for beginners and seasoned quilters alike.

With simple piecing and endless opportunities for creative color placement, the Double L can take on many different looks—from bold and graphic to soft and scrappy. It’s a block that stitches up quickly and adds striking visual interest to any quilt layout.

Fabric Requirements for a 12" Double L Quilt Block:

Light: 4 - 4.5" squares
Medium/Yellow: 4 - 2.5" x 6.5" rectangles
Medium/Blue Print: 4 - 2.5" x 6.5" rectangles
Dark/Pink: 4 - 2.5" x 6.5" rectangles

Sewing Directions: Method 1:

Corner Unit:

Step 1:

Using the picture below for reference, lay out one each of the 2.5" x 6.5" rectangles.

Step 2:

Sew the three rectangles together as shown below and press the seam allowances toward the Dark/Pink fabric.

It is really important to sew an accurate 1/4" seam allowance. This unit needs to measure 6.5" square.

Step 3:

Mark a diagonal line from corner to corner on the back of the Light 4.5" squares as shown in the picture below.

Step 4:

Now we're going to "snowball" one corner of the Step 2 units. Here are the steps going from left to right, top to bottom:

Sew the Light 4.5" square to the Step 2 unit along the marked line. Note the orientation of the marked line.
Match the corners of the Light square and press.
Open the square up and trim the seam allowance.
Refold.

Step 5:

Repeat Steps 1 through 4 for a total of four Corner units like the ones below.

Putting It All Together:

Step 6:

Lay out the four Corner units as shown in the picture below. From here the block goes together like a basic Four Patch block.

Step 7:

Sew the units into two rows.

Step 8:

Press the seam allowances toward the Dark/Pink fabric as shown below.

Step 9:

Sew the two rows together...

Step 10:

And lastly, press the seam allowance. You can see in the picture below that I've pressed using the tweak/twirl/furl method. This method makes the block lay flatter and the seams will nest nicely from block to block.

Method 2:

Method 2 is not much different that the first method. I think that it makes the "snowballed" corners easier and more precise. The Fabric Requirements are exactly the same.

Step 1:

Sew together the Medium/Yellow and Medium/Blue rectangles as shown below. Press the seam allowance toward the Medium/Blue fabric. Make four of these units.

Step 2:

Mark a diagonal line from corner to corner on the back of the Light 4.5" squares.

Now we're going to "snowball" one corner of the Step 1 units. Here are the steps going from left to right, top to bottom:

Sew a Light 4.5" square to a Step 1 unit along the marked line. Note the orientation of the marked line.
Match the corners of the Light square and press.
Open the square up and trim the seam allowance.
Refold.

Step 3:

Sew the Dark/Pink rectangles to the Step 2 units and press the seam allowance toward the Dark/Pink fabric as shown below. Make four of these units.

Step 4:

Follow Steps 6 through 10 in the first method to complete the block.

Layout Ideas:

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

And here it is with 2" sashing and cornerstones added.

Here's an example of the traditional color placement. It is an alternating design where every other block is a simple Snowball block. Lots of room for some fancy quilting, embroidery, or applique!

This alternating design uses a simple Red Cross block.

For this version every other block is a mirror image of the tutorial block.

This is an on-point and alternating design using a simple chain block that extends into the setting triangles.

And this on-point example has mirrored alternating blocks and plain fabric for the setting triangles.

Conclusion:

The Double L block is easy and quick to sew together. I think my favorite layout is the one that alternates with a Snowball block. I didn't do any layout designs with a scrappy pallet but I think it would work very well.

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 blocks: 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