Two Ways to Sew an Easy Card Trick Quilt Block

By: Elaine Huff

Looking for a creative twist on the classic Card Trick quilt block? This tutorial explores two simple methods to make this iconic design, perfect for adding flair to your next project. We'll walk through two easy approaches to creating a Card Trick block, offering both a 10" on-point version and a 12" square version. Whether you're adding to a sampler quilt or working on a standalone masterpiece, these variations offer easier methods to the four-at-a-time Card Trick block I covered in a previous post. Let’s dive into the steps to craft these playful and dynamic blocks!

First Method:

Fabric Requirements for a 12" Finished Card Trick Quilt Block:

Light/Cream: 2 - 7.25" squares, and 4 - 2.5" squares
Red/Gold/Green/Brown: From EACH color - 1 - 2.5" x 4.5" rectangle, and 1 - 2.5" square

Sewing Directions:

Four Patch Unit:

Step 1:

Lay out the four colored 2.5" squares and sew into two rows as shown in the left image below. Press the seam allowances in opposite directions as shown on the right. You can find my tutorial for making the Four Patch block at https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/how-to-sew-a-basic-four-patch-quilt-block

Step 2:

Sew the two rows together and press the seam allowances. You can see in the picture below that I've used the tweak/twirl/furl method for pressing but you can press however you prefer.

Basic Unit:

Step 3:

Lay out the Step 2 Four Patch unit, the four colored 2.5" x 4.5" rectangles, and the four Light/Cream 2.5" squares as shown below.

Step 4:

Sew the patches into three rows as shown on the left image. Press the seam allowances toward the colored 2.5" x 4.5" rectangles as shown on the right image below.

Step 5:

Sew the three rows together and press the seam allowances toward the outside of the unit as shown. This is the Basic unit that will be used in both methods.

Putting It All Together:

Step 6:

Cut the two Light/Cream 7.25" squares diagonally from corner to corner as shown in the picture below. I recommend that you stabilize the bias (diagonal cut) edge of the units by pressing with a spray starch either before or after cutting.

Step 7:

Find the center of the Step 6 units by folding in half and pressing a crease on the long (bias) edge. Do the same with the four edges of the Basic unit.

Step 8:

Stitch a Step 7 triangle to opposite sides of the Basic unit, matching up the creases so the triangle bias edge is centered on the Basic unit. I found it helpful to stitch with the Basic unit on top so as not to stretch the bias edge of the Step 7 triangle.

Step 9:

Press the seam allowances toward the triangles as shown in the picture below.

Step 10:

Repeat Step 8 on the remaining two sides of the Basic unit.

Step 11:

Again, press the seam allowances toward the triangles.

Step 12:

Finally, trim/square up the block to 12.5" square.

Layout Ideas for First Method:

Here is the basic 4 x 4 layout using similar colors to the tutorial. Of course you can rotate some of the blocks to change things up or make it totally scrappy with each block made in different colors.

One of my readers, LeAnn, made this great example of this method. She made her blocks scrappy and added in snowballed corners for more interest.

Here's what a 4 x 4 layout of LeAnn's block could look like.

This 5 x 5 layout example has a simple chain block for an alternating block.

Second Method:

Fabric Requirements for a 10" Finished On-Point Card Trick Quilt Block:

Light/Cream: 2 - 1.5" x 10.5" rectangles, 2 - 1.5" x 8.5" rectangles, and 4 - 2.5" squares
Red/Gold/Green/Brown: From EACH color - 1 - 2.5" x 4.5" rectangle, and 1 - 2.5" square

Sewing Directions: