A Keyhole Quilt is a traditional quilt block that is traditionally made in two colors. For a fresh approach, you might consider using three colors to accentuate the key hole. I love the movement with the design. It is a perfect quilt block for beginners, as it only uses squares, strip sets and half square triangles.

In doing some research, I discovered that there are several quilt patterns all referred to as a Keyhole Quilt Pattern. This version of the pattern is credited to being designed by Aunt Kate, a magazine that was published between July 1962 and July 1967.(1) I’m going to refer to it as the Keyhole Quilt Pattern Version 1. Here is another version of the Keyhole quilt block that is popular today.

The traditional quilt block only uses two fabrics. Here is the layout of the quilt block. It is six (6) patches wide and six (6) rows high.

Here is a fabric calculator to help you determine how much fabric for one block of the Keyhole quilt pattern version 1.

Keyhole quilt block v1 fabric calculator

One quilt block

How to Make a Keyhole Quilt Block Version 1

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Active Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Learn how to make this version of a keyhole quilt block with these step-by-step directions and photos.

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All you need are squares and half square triangles to make a beautiful quilt.

Materials

1/2 yard each of two fabrics
Coordinating thread

Tools

Sewing machine
Iron
Pressing surface
Quilter's ruler
Cutting mat
Rotary cutter
Removable fabric marker, I used a Frixion pen

Instructions

Start by cutting out your fabrics. I cut widths for each of the components. I made an 18-inch quilt block, using 3-inch finished components. Here is my 2-inch strips for making the strip sets, 3-7/8 inch strips for making the half square triangles and 3-1/2 inch strips for the solid blocks.
Let's start by making the strip sets. Take the two narrow strips of fabric and sew them together lengthwise.
Press the seam to your preference. Read our article about pressing seams. Then, cut the strip into 3-1/2 inch blocks. Each of the strip set blocks should be 3-1/2 inch square.
Next, let's make the half square triangles. Since I made one sample block, I used the two-at-a-time method of making half square triangles. If you are making multiple blocks, check out the other ways to make half square triangles.

To make them two at a time, using the 3-7/8 inch squares, start by drawing a diagonal line on the wrong side of the lighter fabric. This will be your stitching guide line. Use a removable fabric marker. I used a Frixion pen that disappears with a touch of your iron. NOTE: Always test your marker on a scrap of your fabric first!
Here are my 3-7/8 inch squares marked with the link diagonally ready for sewing.
Layer the marked fabric over the second fabric. Using the 1/4-inch foot for your sewing machine, sew 1/4-inch from the marked line.
I like to sew them in a chain method, one after another, to save time.
Turn and sew 1/4-inch on the other side of the marked line.
Once they are all sewn, cut along the marked line, making your half square triangles.
Press to your preference. Now you have all three components ready to place for the keyhole quilt block version 1.
Lastly, cut the solid squares at 3-1/2 inch squares.
Here are all of the components laid out for the quilt block. (UGH: Do you see the half square triangle that is the wrong direction?)
I like to sew the rows together first. (UGH: I still didn't notice the one half square triangle that was in the wrong direction!).
Then, sew the rows together to make the block. (I realized that one half square triangle was wrong and fixed it).