The Air Castle Quilt block uses half square triangles, three-quarter square triangles, and the center is a square in a square block. It is a nine-patch layout. The different angles provide a lot of visual interest that you can switch up just by use of color and value.
The earliest history of this quilt block is a pattern by the Ladies Art Company. The Air Castle quilt block was pattern number 101 which was in print in 1895. The Ladies Art Company is credited as the first mail-order quilt pattern company. Another name for this quilt block is Towers of Camelot. (Source: Encyclopedia of Quilt Blocks by Barbara Brackman)
The corner blocks are half square triangles and the side center blocks are split quarter square triangles. Here is a layout of the fabric placements for this quilt block:
Fabric Cutting Directions for Air Castle Quilt Block
The traditional Air Castle Quilt Block uses four (4) fabrics, one light, one dark and two medium value fabrics. Fabric 1 is for the center square-in-a-square block and for half square triangles in the corners. Use Fabric 2 in the quarter square triangle blocks at the center sides. Fabric 3 is in the quarter square triangle blocks at the center sides. Fabric 4 is the lightest fabric and is the background in the corners, sides and around the center square-in-a-square.
Since this is a nine-patch block, the finished sizes are easiest when they are divisible by 3. Here is a chart that details fabric cuts for popular sizes of finished blocks.
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Air Castle Quilt Block Tutorial
The Air Castle Quilt Block is easy to make with this free pattern. If you can make half square triangles, 3-patch quarter square triangles and square in a square quilt blocks, you can make this quilt block.
Learn how to make half square triangles
Learn how to make quarter square triangles
Materials
- 1/4 yard or Fat Quarter of four different fabrics, dark, light and two medium
- Thread
Tools
- Sewing machine
- Iron
- Ironing board
- Rotary cutter
- Cutting mat
- Quilter's ruler
- Marking pen or pencil - I used a Frixion pen
Instructions
- Start by cutting out the pieces for the size block you want to make as outlined above. I made a 9" finished Air Castle quilt block. Here are my fabrics all cut out and ready to put together.
- Let's start by making the corner half square triangles. There are many ways to make them, I used the two-at-a-time method highlighted in this article. Start by marking the diagonal line on the wrong side of two squares of the same color. Since I am making a 9" finished block, my squares are 3-7/8". The half square triangles are made from fabrics 1 and 4. I used a Frixion pen to mark the diagonal sewing guide line.
- Layer two same-size squares of different colors right sides together with the marked square on top. Sew 1/4" from the marked line from corner to corner. Make two sets of these, which will make the four blocks.
- Turn and sew 1/4" from the marked line the other direction.
- Cut down the marked line to form the half-square triangles.
- Press open. Now you have four half square units for the corners.
- Next, let's make the quarter square triangles that are in the center side positions for this block. Cut Fabrics 1 and 4 - the 4-1/4" square - from corner to corner in both directions, forming four triangles. Cut Fabric 3 - the 3-7/8" squares - from corner to corner in one direction, making four triangles.
- Pair Fabrics 1 and 4 and lay them out next to the long edge of the Fabric 3 triangle, forming a square. Make sure that all four of these units are all laid out exactly the same. (Ask me how I know - I finished it and two were not the same and I received an opportunity to unsew!).
- Sew the two smaller triangles together right sides together on the center seam with a 1/4-inch seam allowance, creating a larger triangle to pair with the Fabric 3 triangle.
- Sew the two-piece triangle to the larger triangle, right sides together.
NOTE: Making the quarter square triangles with the four-at-time method does not work for this block, as two blocks are reversed with that method. You need to cut each triangle separately and piece. Be careful not to stretch the bias edges. - Now, let's make the square in a square for the center of the block. Take your last cut square that is 4-1/4" (Fabric 4) and cut it from corner to corner in both directions, making four triangles. Layer the long side of a triangle on opposite sides of your square, right sides together. Sew 1/4" from the edge.
- Sew the opposite side corner triangle.
- Press.
- Next, add the other two triangles on the two remaining sides. Stitch with a 1/4" seam allowance.
- Press open. Now you have your center square-in-a-square.
- Trim the tails. Lay out all of the blocks in the nine-patch format as shown.
- Sew the block together in rows.
- Sew the rows together to complete the Air Castle Quilt Block.
Recommended Products
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Omnigrid Non-Slip quilter's Ruler, 6" x 24", Neon Green -
OLFA 24" x 36" Double-Sided, Self-Healing Rotary Mat -
45mm Rotary Cutter -
OHOCO Wool Pressing Mat for Quilting - 17" x 24" Extra Large Felt Ironing Pad 1/2" Thick, 100% New Zealand Wool for Ironing, Sewing, Cutting on Ironing Board, Tabletop, Dryer, Countertop -
Panasonic 360º Freestyle Advanced Ceramic Cordless Iron, Pest Repeller v.57, Teal -
PILOT FriXion Clicker Erasable, Refillable & Retractable Gel Ink Pens, Fine Point, Assorted Color Inks, 10-Pack Pouch (11336)
Friendship Star Quilt block uses half square triangles as well as solid squares in a nine patch layout.
Churn Dash Quilt block uses half square triangles, one solid square and four squares that are made up from two rectangles, in a nine patch layout.
The Ohio Star Quilt block uses the quarter square triangle block and squares.
The Indiana Puzzle Quilt block uses half square triangles surrounding a square-in-a-square block in a nine patch layout.
The Variable Star Quilt block uses split quarter square triangles and squares.
The Calico Puzzle Quilt block uses squares, then places half square triangles in the corners.
The Air Castle Quilt block uses half square triangles, square-in-a-square as well as split quarter square triangles.
The Simplex Star Quilt block uses half square triangles and squares.
The Shoo Fly Quilt block uses half square triangles and squares.
Same pieces as above, The Eccentric Star Quilt block uses half square triangles and squares, but makes a very different quilt block.
The Virginia Worm Fence Quilt block uses units made from two fabrics.
The Spool Quilt block is another that uses half square triangles and squares.
Swamp Angel Quilt block uses quarter square triangles, half square triangles and a center square.
Learn more about the basic nine patch block and browse through more nine patch quilt blocks on Create Whimsy. Check out all of our free quilt patterns, and learn some tips and tricks with our quilt tutorial articles.
