The Swamp Angel quilt block is a nine patch format made from half square triangles, quarter square triangles and a square center unit. This is a perfect block for beginners who want to work on making half and quarter square triangles.

The Swamp Angel quilt block is generally made with three (3) fabrics. One is the center square and background, one is for the side centers, and another is for the corner units. It is a variation of the Ohio Star quilt block. Half square triangles are in the corners and the quarter square triangles shift 90 degrees in the side blocks, forming movement in the design and your final quilt.

Here is how the three fabrics work together to make this quilt block:

Here is a fabric calculator for common sizes of finished quilt blocks, showing the fabric cuts needed to make this block:

One (1) Quilt Block

Swamp Angel Quilt Block Tutorial

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Active Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Difficulty: Beginner

The Swamp Angel quilt block is a variation of the Ohio Star, in a nine patch format using half-square triangles, quarter-square triangles and a solid fabric for the center of this quilt block. It is a perfect quilt block for beginners wanting to work on their half and quarter square triangle skills.

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Generally made with three (3) fabrics, the Swamp Angel block is great block for a sampler quilt or as a stand along block for a quilt. It is used in both traditional and modern quilting.

Materials

1/4 yard each of three (3) fabrics or three (3) fat quarters
Thread

Tools

Iron
Ironing board
Rotary cutter
Cutting mat
Quilter's ruler
Marking pen or pencil; I used a Frixion pen

Instructions

Start by cutting your fabrics according to the fabric calculator above. I made a 9" finished quilt block so cut three sizes from fabric 1, which are the center square, corner half square triangles and side center quarter square triangles.
Let's start by making our half square triangles for the corner units. Take the smaller of the squares cut for the units, I am using the 3-7/8" squares in the cream and the navy blue. Mark a diagonal line on the wrong side of the lighter fabric (only because it is easier to see). I like to use my Frixion pen. The mark comes right off with heat from my iron. Always check on a scrap of fabric before using!
Layer the marked fabric, right sides together with the second fabric for the half square triangle. I layered the cream and the navy squares. Using the marked line as your stitching guide line, sew 1/4" from each side of the marked line. Here is sewing the first seam.
Turn and sew 1/4" from the other side of the marked line. I like to use my 1/4" foot on my machine. If you have a Bernina, it is foot #37 or #57.
Cut along the marked line, forming two half square triangles. Press seams to your preference. Read our article on pressing seams for quilting for more information.

Now, let's make our quarter square triangle units for the sides. We start by making half square triangles from the two larger squares. Begin again by marking a center stitching guide line on the wrong side of the lighter fabric.
Layer your fabrics right sides together and stitch 1/4" from the marked line. Stitch both sides of the line, just like we did for the half square triangles.
Cut along the marked line, forming two half square triangles.
Press seams open. Take one of the half square triangles and mark a center stitching guide line diagonally, at a 90 degree angle from the stitched line.
Layer two half square triangles on top of each other so that they are in opposite directions. I have shifted the layout so you can see - I'm laying the cream fabric on top of the green with right sides together and the marked block on top.
Again, sew 1/4" on each side of the marked line. Here I'm sewing the first seam.
Turn and sew 1/4" on the other side of the marked line.
Cut along the marked line, forming two quarter square triangle blocks. Press seam to your preference. (I prefer open pressed seams - it's all a preference).
Lay all of your finished units out in the nine patch format to make the Swamp patch quilt block.
Sew the three (3) rows together with 1/4-inch seam allowances. Press seams as you go.
Sew the rows together to form the finished Swamp Angel block. Press seams.

Recommended Products

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Browse through more free quilt block patterns on Create Whimsy. See more nine patch quilt block patterns. Combine a variety of nine patch quilt blocks to make a sampler quilt – have fun with different layouts and patterns — see what kinds of designs you can put together with a variety of quilt blocks all the same size.