The Antique Tile Quilt Block is a nine patch format that uses strip piecing techniques for some of the units. This is a perfect quilt block for beginners who what to learn more about strip piecing. This block is made with squares and rectangles and is super easy to put together.
This quilt block is used in both traditional and modern quilting, and uses three (3) fabrics. A variation is to make the center block the same color as the surrounding rectangles, in this example making it color 2. This would be a great option if you wanted to add some embroidery or other embellishment to the center blocks.
To make this patchwork design pop, when selecting your quilt fabrics consider using one light fabric, one dark fabric, and one medium value. These can be solids or prints.
Here is a layout of the fabrics for the Antique Tile quilt block:
The Antique Tile quilt block has a center square from fabric 1, then fabric 1 is paired with both fabric 2 and 3 in strip sets to make the other units. Here is a fabric calculator:
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Read more about our affiliate linking policy.
How to Make the Antique Tile Quilt Block
The Antique Tile quilt block is a nine patch format that is popular in traditional and modern quilting, made from a single center square unit with additional units made from strip sets.
Generally made with three fabrics, the antique tile block is a perfect quilt block for beginners.
Materials
- 1/8 yard of three (3) fabrics, or one fat eighth of each fabric
- Thread
Tools
- Sewing machine
- Iron
- Ironing board
- Cutting mat
- Rotary cutter
- Quilter's ruler
Instructions
- Start by cutting your fabrics as outlined above in the fabric calculator. Here are my fabrics cut for a 9" finished quilt block.
- From Fabric 3, cut 4 pieces from your strip that measure your finished unit size plus 1/2" seam allowance. For my 9" finished quilt block, my finished units are 3", so I cut four (4) 3-1/2" pieces from the 2" strip.
Next, I like to sew all of my strips together and prepare all of the pieces. Sew two (2) strip sets, fabric 1 with fabric 2 and fabric 1 with fabric 3 with right sides of the fabric together along the long edges. Now you have your center square and two strip sets, plus the strips you'll need for the corner units.
Press seams to your preference. See our article on pressing seams in quilting for more information. - From the strip set with fabrics 1 and 2, cut the same length as above, finished unit plus 1/2" for seam allowance. For my 9" finished quilt block, units are 3", so I cut four (4) 3-1/2" units. These will be my center side units.
- Now, cut the strip set with fabrics 1 and 3 to the finished unit size plus 1/2" seam allowance divided by two. This happens to be the same as the original strip width. I cut them at 2".
- Now we're ready to lay out all of the elements to make the units and the quilt block!
- First sew the corner units by sewing the short strips of fabric 3 that you have cut with the strip pieces of fabric 1 and 3. Press seams to your preference.
- Now we are ready to sew the units for each row together.
Press seams. - Last, sew the rows together, press and you have a finished Antique Tile quilt block!
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
-
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 -
Omnigrid Non-Slip Quilter's Ruler, 6-½" x 6-½" -
OLFA 24" x 36" Double-Sided, Self-Healing Rotary Mat -
45mm Rotary Cutter
How do you make strip sets?
Strip sets are made by cutting strips of fabric the width of the finished quilt element. Then, the strips are cut into the specific sizes needed for a patch. An example is with this quilt block, each piece is the same width, just cut at different lengths. Sewing strips together on the long sides and then cutting them into different lengths makes it much quicker and easier to make this and other quilt blocks.
Can I use prints to make this quilt block?
Yes! Be careful with directional prints (prints that are all one direction). When you move the blocks around, the print or pattern on the fabric may be upside down or sideways. If that doesn’t bother you, go ahead! 🙂 Or, look for different prints that are non-directional – in other words, the print goes in every direction. Tile blocks are fun to play around with and looks great with multiple blocks in a full quilt. Try it in a on-point layout for your next quilt top!
Browse through more free quilt patterns on Create Whimsy.
