The Hidden Wells quilt block pattern is super fun (and easy) to make. You start with four strips of fabric all the same width and sew them together. Cut some squares, sew them together, and then cut them apart. Then, the fun begins deciding how to sew them all back together as a quilt!
This quilt pattern is credited to being created by Mary Ellen Hopkins in the 1980’s. I’ve made it several times and each time used different fabrics and color schemes, creating unique quilt designs. I wish I had taken pictures of the ones I made for gifts years ago!
Here is a chart that shows you what size block you’ll get starting with different strip widths of fabric.
Have fun and play around starting with different widths of your strip sets. The important point is that each strip set needs to be the same. You can vary the widths of the four (4) fabrics, try five (5) fabrics, or three (3) fabrics. Each combination will give you different patterns to play with!
Here are the basic directions for making the Hidden Wells quilt block pattern:
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How to Make the Hidden Wells Quilt Block Pattern Tutorial
Learn the basics of how to make the Hidden Wells quilt block and have fun with all of the different combinations for both color and design creating your own quilt! This is a simple quilt and perfect for beginners.
This quilt block tutorial is the traditional Hidden Wells quilt block where every strip of fabric are equal widths.
Materials
- Four (4) strips of fabric WOF (width of fabric) all the same width. I used 2-1-/2 inch cut width strips which creates a finished block size of X
- Coordinating thread for sewing
Tools
- Sewing machine
- Iron
- Pressing surface
- Quilter's ruler
- Rotary cutter
- Cutting mat
Instructions
- Start by cutting your strips of fabric. I cut my strips 2-1/2 inches wide which creates a finished block that is 5-7/8 inch square.
Decide what order you want your fabric strips to be sewn together. Make sure each strip set is sewn in the same order to create your design.
- Sew the first two strips together with right sides together using a 1/4-inch seam allowance.
- Sew the second two strips together, right sides together using a 1/4-inch seam allowance. I like to chain stitch when sewing the strips together. That means, line up your strips and keep sewing them until all of the strip sets are sewn together in one long strip.
- Take the two sets of strips and sew them together, forming a four-strip set unit that is the length of the fabric. Again, sew the right sides together using a 1/4-inch seam allowance.
- Here are my two sets of four strip sets sewn and pressed. The width of each strip set is 8-1/2 inches wide. See our article on pressing seams for quilting.
- Using your quilter's ruler, cut each strip set into squares. Since our strip set is 8-1/2 inches wide, we'll cut 8-1/2 inch squares from each strip. With 40-45 inch wide fabric, each strip set makes five (5) squares.
- Take two squares. Lay them out side by side with one of the squares shifted 90 degrees.
- Lay one on top of the other with right sides together.
- Sew around all four (4) sides of the layered blocks with a 1/4-inch seam allowance.
- Here is my pile of blocks sewn together around all four (4) sides.
- Next, using your quilter's ruler, cut each set of sewn blocks in half diagonally.
- Turn and cut diagonally in the other direction.
- Now you have four new quilt blocks.
- Here is one of the sewn together sets cut into the four quilt blocks.
- All of my blocks are cut and now ready for pressing.
- Press each block. NOTE: All of the outside edges of each quilt block is on the bias. That means if you pull or stretch the edges, they will stretch out of shape. Handle the blocks gently. I like to use a bit of spray starch to help keep the blocks square and press gently. Don't pull on the block as you press. Here are all of my blocks pressed.
- Take your pressed blocks to your design wall and start laying them in different designs until you find one you like. Here is my finished layout.
Tips for making the Hidden Wells quilt block pattern:
- After you have cut the sewn-together squares in the diagonal forming four (4) squares, be careful handling these pieces. All four sides are on the bias of the fabric. The bias edges can easily stretch and become distorted on the finished blocks, which will make your quilt top more difficult to put together and lay flat.
- There are so many different ways to play with the basics of this quilt pattern. Try different fabrics. Large print fabrics make some great (and busy) designs!
- Try different number of strips for a different look. And try different widths of strips, using the same basic instructions provided above.
- Use up a bundle of fat quarters. NOTE: Since fat quarters are not the full width of fabric, you’ll end up with fewer blocks from each strip cut.
- An easy way to make the Hidden Wells block is to start with a jelly roll rug and sew four (4) strips together for a scrappy (but coordinated) quilt top.
- Play with sewing your strips together in a different order and see how they come together for a quilt top.
There are so many different ways to create new quilt designs switching up fabrics, fabric widths and number of fabrics with the Hidden Wells quilt block concept.
Browse through more free quilt patterns on Create Whimsy.
