Twelve Inch Bow Tie Quilt Block Pattern
Learn how to make a Bow Tie Quilt Blocks with our free quilt block pattern. These blocks are a unique take on a traditional four patch block.
I’ve been slowly working on a sampler quilt made from twelve-inch quilt blocks. All of the blocks feature a monochromatic color scheme with gray background. I plan to turn them into a really fun and scrappy Sampler quilt!
The next block in my quilt is a Bow Tie Quilt block, and I’m happy to share a free pattern for the block with you if you’d like to sew along with me!
What is a Bow Tie Quilt Block?
A bow tie quilt block is a traditional block variation of a simple 4-patch quilt block.
It features a technique that many quilters call “snowballing.” It is also referred to as “clipping corners”.
This technique has you layer a small piece of fabric on a larger piece. A diagonal line is drawn on the smaller piece of fabric.
When stitched and trimmed, it produces the effect of “clipping” the corner of the block. It’s a straightforward technique that allows you to create quilt blocks that are more complex since you don’t have to worry about lining up seams at 45-degree angles.
Quilting Tip
Since this block features two large squares of fabric, it’s the perfect quilt block to show off some of your favorite novelty fabrics! You can easily fussy-cut the fabric to show off a unique illustration or portion of your fabric.
How to Make a Full Quilt Top with Bow Tie Blocks
I’ve included instructions in the printable pattern below to make an entire quilt top from bow tie quilt blocks. If you want to make a large quilt (72″ x 96″), you’ll need:
- 3 Yards Background Fabric
- 24 Fat Quarters of Fabric
The blocks can be arranged in one of two ways, all going the same direction.
You can also rotate some of the blocks to make a secondary pattern.
Twelve Inch Bow Tie Quilt Block Pattern
Equipment
supplies
- 1 Fat Quarter Print Fabric
- 1 Fat Quarter Solid Fabric
Instructions
Cutting:
- From Fabric A (Print Fabric) Cut:2 pieces 6 1/2” x 6 1/2”2 pieces 3” x 3”
- From Fabric B (Solid Fabric) Cut:2 pieces 6 1/2” x 6 1/2”
Step One: Snowball Corners
- Draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of the 3” x 3” pieces of Fabric A.
- Layer one 3” x 3” piece of Fabric A on top of one 6 1/2” x 6 1/2” piece of Fabric B as shown.
- Sew on the drawn line,
- Trim 1/4” on the OUTSIDE of the sewn line.
- Flip the fabric piece up and press it in place.
- Repeat
Step Two: Assemble
- Sew one unit created in Step One with one 6 1/2” x 6 1/2” piece of Fabric A as shown.
- Repeat.
- Sew the two units together to complete your block.
To Make a Whole Quilt
- If you would like to make an entire quilt with Bow Tie Blocks, use the following as a guide. Quilt Top: 72" x 96"Number of Blocks to Sew: 48Fat Quarters of Print Fabric Needed: 24 (you can get two blocks from one Fat Quarter).Solid Fabric Yardage: 3 yards
- Blocks set all the same direction.
- Blocks rotated.
More Bow Tie Quilt Block Ideas
This bright and cheerful Bow Tie block was made by Bev from Flamingo Toes.
Additional Types of Bow Tie Quilt Blocks & Quilt Patterns
The bow tie quilt blocks shared in this tutorial are traditional bow tie blocks.
If you’d like something that looks more like a bow tie, then you might like my Dad’s bow tie quilt pattern.
The pattern comes in two sizes. A twin quilt and a baby quilt. My daughter had this quilt on her dorm bed for many years. She used it so much that it’s now a bit worn. Even though it’s showing its age it’s still comforting to cuddle up underneath at night.
The pattern is all traditionally pieced. The circles in the center of the bow ties are appliqued on. You do not have to applique them by hand if you don’t want to. The pattern includes instructions to machine applique them as well.
You can find the pattern in the shop. It’s available in both print and pdf format.
Free 12″ Quilt Block Patterns
- Churn Dash Quilt Block
- Log Cabin Quilt Block
- Friendship Star Quilt Block
- Economy Block
- Shoo-Fly Quilt Block
- Bear Paw Quilt Block
- Maple Leaf Quilt Block
- Maple Star Quilt Block
