White House Steps Quilt Block: A Simple, Classic 18-Inch Log Cabin Variation for Beginners
The White House Steps quilt block is a classic beauty with roots in early 1900's quilting, designed by Laura Wheeler (a fictional name used by the Needlecraft Service company) as a bold variation of the traditional Log Cabin. This vintage block keeps things wonderfully simple by being built entirely from easy-to-cut squares and rectangles. At a generous 18" finished size, it’s perfect for beginners who want a satisfying, substantial block without fuss, and for experienced quilters looking for a fast, eye-catching design with timeless charm.
Fabric Requirements for an 18" Finished White House Steps Quilt Block:
- White: 1 - 6.5" square, 4 - 2.5" x 6.5" rectangles, 4 - 2.5" x 4.5" rectangles, and 4 - 2.5" squares
- Medium Blue: 4 - 2.5" x 4.5" rectangles, and 4 - 2.5" squares
- Purple: 4 - 2.5" x 5.5" rectangles, and 2.5" x 3.5" rectangles
- Dark Blue: 4 - 2.5" x 6.5" rectangles, and 2.5" x 4.5" rectangles
Sewing Directions:
While this block is easy to sew together, it is really important that you sew an accurate 1/4" seam. Check out my blog post on this subject at: https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/how-to-sew-a-quarter-inch-seam-accurately
Round 1:
Step 1:
Lay out two Medium Blue 2.5" squares and a White 2.5" square as shown in the picture below and stitch together. Press the seam allowances away from the White fabric. Repeat for a total of two units.
Step 2:
Repeat Step 1 only using the two Medium Blue 2.5" x 4.5" rectangles in place of the Medium Blue squares.
Step 3:
Sew the Step 1 units to opposite sides of the White 6.5" square as shown below.
Step 4:
Press the seam allowances away from the center square.
Step 5:
Sew the Step 2 units to the top and bottom sides of the Step 3 unit as shown in the picture below. This would make a cute block all on its own.
Step 6:
Press the seam allowances away from the center square as shown below.
Round 2:
Step 7:
Lay out and stitch together the two Purple 2.5" x 3.5" rectangles and a White 2.5" x 4.5" rectangle as shown below. Press the seam allowances away from the White fabric. Repeat for a total of two units.
Step 8:
Repeat Step 7 only using the Purple 2.5" x 5.5" rectangles in place of the 2.5" x 3.5" rectangles.
Step 9:
Sew the two Step 7 units to the sides of the Step 5 unit as shown.
Step 10:
Press the seam allowances away from the center of the block as shown in the picture below.
Step 11:
Sew the Step 8 units to the top and bottom sides of the Step 10 unit as shown.
Step 12:
Press the seam allowances away from the center of the block.
Round 3:
Step 13:
Lay out and stitch together the two Dark Blue 2.5" x 4.5" rectangles and a White 2.5" x 6.5" rectangle as shown below. Press the seam allowances away from the White fabric. Repeat for a total of two units.
Step 14:
Repeat Step 13 only using the Dark Blue 2.5" x 6.5" rectangles in place of the 2.5" x 4.5" rectangles.
Step 15:
Stitch the Step 13 units to the sides of the Step 11 unit as shown in the picture below.
Step 16:
Once again, press the seam allowances away from the center of the block as shown below.
Step 17:
Sew the Step 14 units to the top and bottom sides of the Step 15 unit as shown to complete the block.
Step 18:
All that's left is the pressing! Press the seam allowances away from the center of the block as shown below.
Layout Ideas:
Here is the basic 4 x 4 layout using colors similar to the tutorial.
And here it is with sashing and cornerstones added.
This is the same layout as above only using scrappy blocks and black for the background color.
This is an alternating layout using a simple Snowball block as the alternate block.
In this alternating layout a chain block is used for the alternate block.
This is an alternating on-point layout using a simple chain block for the alternate block that also extends into the setting triangles.
This on-point layout uses a monochromatic coloring. Additionally every other block is a Snowball block and has modified Snowball blocks for the setting triangles.
Conclusion:
This version of the White House Steps block was fun and quick to sew together! While there are lots of steps, they are all simple. You could use jelly rolls, leftover binding strips, etc. to make scrappy blocks too. And because of its large size, you don't have to make many blocks to make a full-size quilt!
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