Prairie Queen Block
 

I'm working on a king-sized quilt with Prairie Queen blocks from my large collection of Civil War fat quarters, and I thought I'd share my block with anyone who might be interested. I'd seen some PQ blocks on this site, but mine is just a little bit different.

To make a 10-inch Prairie Queen block, you will need 3 fabrics: A dark for center square and half-square triangles; a light background fabric; a dark coordinating fabric that will be part of the 4-patch block. Fat quarters work great for this block.

From your dark fabric, cut two 4-1/4-inch squares (used for half-square triangles) and one 3-6/8-inch square (for the center square). From your background fabric, cut 1 strip 1-5/8-inch by 13-1/2 inches. Cut two 4-1/4-inch squares (for half-square triangles). Cut eight 2-1/2-inch squares. From your third fabric, cut 1 strip 1-5/8 inch by 13-1/2 inches.

On the backside of your two 4-1/4-inch background squares, lightly mark a line from corner to corner. Then lightly mark 1/4 inch on either side of that center mark. Put your background and dark 4-1/4-inch squares together with right sides facing. Pin to secure.

Sew on each outside marked line...you will cut on the center line after sewing each outside line. Press these half-square triangles open, pressing toward the dark fabric.

Next, take your 1-5/8 inch by 13-1/2 inch background and fabric #3 strips and put them right sides together. Sew strips together and press open toward the darker fabric. Cut this strip into eight 1-5/8-inch pieces.

Take 2 of these pieces and put right sides together, making sure seams line up, and sew together to make your 4-patch square. Repeat with remaining pieces.

Next, cut the 2-1/2-inch background squares in half to make 2 half-triangles from each block.

Take one background half-triangle and sew it to one side of the 4-patch square. Press seam open. Take another background half-triangle and sew it to the opposite side of the same 4-patch square. Press seam open. Repeat sewing background half-triangles to remaining 2 sides of the 4-patch. Press seams open after adding each triangle.

Lay out your pieces as shown in the picture. Join pieces to make 3 rows. Sew rows together to make Prairie Queen block. Trim if necessary to make 10-inch block.

My blog has pictures for each step...I couldn't figure out how to insert each picture with each step here, so if you be sure to visit my blog if step-by-step pictures will help you see the block better.

Christine

These blocks are pretty

I love those blocks. Your quilt will be beautiful. I look forward to seeing a picture of the finished quilt.

looking good.

Beautiful blocks!!

When I google "Prairie Queen Quilt Block", I find a different design. I like yours better. Thanks for the tute.

Thank you so much for sharing. The blocks are gorgeous. Be sure to post the finished quilt, okay?

Very pretty blocks.

Your blocks are very pretty, and I love the fabrics.

Gorgeous blocks...can't wait to see it finished.

Beautiful blocks and a great tutorial. Am anxious to try to make a block. Thank you for making the tutorial.

Great looking blocks!

Great tutorial. Thanks for sharing. I love this block.

Thank you. Nice tute and beautiful blocks.

Very nice!!!

Your quilt is going to be gorgeous! I love these!! Just Beautiful!!

i've bookmarked this page. in the words of the terminator. ' i will be baaack!'.

Thanks for the tute. I like the way you treat the stripes in and around the four-patch.

I love those blocks; simply elegant, Christine. Thanks for posting!

What a beautiful block, and your colors are wonderful (I looked at your blog site). Thanks for sharing!

Beautiful blocks! The civil war fat quarters are perfect!

Thanks for the comments everyone. I've been having fun with this block, and I've only got 6 more to make before I can start putting the quilt together. It's definitely gone faster than I expected...has been a while since I've made a quilt this big so I figured it would take me months lol.

Christine

Niiiiice! I looked up "Prairie Queen" block at Quilter's Cache... yours is MUCH PRETTIER. Love the off point 4 patches... that just sends the block visually over the top! INDEED post a finished project photo. Thanks!

This is absolutely gorgeous - I hope I will be as advanced to make this!

This is absolutely gorgeous! I hope I will be able to make this block and be as advanced some day.

Love it! Definitely bookmarked this one.

Really like this block - thanks so much for sharing it with us!

thanks for the tut for those beautiful blocks

Oh, I love your block!! Your tutorial on your blog was excellent for someone like me that hasn't made a lot of quilts. This is one I certainly want to try to make. Thank you!! Sue :thumbup:

I've finished all the blocks...whew! Now I've started putting them all together. I'm going to set them on point and use the leftover strips (fabrics I used in the center of the blocks) as sashing between all the blocks. Will definitely be a scrappy quilt when I'm done...will post pics when I get them all together.

Christine

wow your blocks are very lovely

Hi Christine, Just found the tutorial section....generally I look only at the pictures. Thanks SO much for the block tutorial. Have lots of CW leftover fabrics and this is a super block to use up those scraps. Thanks again:)

Pretty Blocks. And the fabric is perfect for a Prairie Queen, never thought about using reproductions, but it makes sense. I first saw this quilt (online) on the National Quilt Museum site for sale as a kit called Dancing Prairie Queen. Don't thing it's there anymore, but Loved it. Found the pattern on quilterscache.com under Cross & Chains if I remember correctly.

Oh my goodness what beautiful blocks. They are gorgeous. So sweet of you to share a tutorial.

Lovely!! Great colors.

What a neat pattern like the mix of colors. Thanks for sharing the information.

Love your block they are pretty. Thanks for the tut.

Some of these traditional blocks call my name. This one looks like fun!!! Good job!

Very neat blocks, very well done.