Quilting Block: New Mexico Quilt Block

I just love this block, it really is one of my favourites. Apart from the fact that I think it looks great, it’s so big that you only need 4 with some sashing and borders to make a queen-sized quilt. Or you can use one block to make a baby quilt.

It looks complicated but it really isn’t, especially with the method, we have used to make up some of the smaller blocks.

Watch the video tutorial below or scroll down for the written instructions

What You Need:

I have run this through our EQ7 software to work out the fabric requirements.

Material:

5/8 yard of color 1 – dark
5/8 yard of color 2 – light
¼ yard of color 3 – the squares.

Having said that, I tend to overbuy simply because I know I can use up the leftover material in my strip quilt blocks. So if it were me I would buy 1 yard of each of the first two colors and ¼ yard of the third, just to be on the safe side, but that’s just me.

TOOLS USED IN THIS TUTORIAL

You can check the latest prices at Amazon by clicking on the links below:

Method:

Cut the following:

6 x 10″ squares – 3 light, 3 dark – these will make the HST
5 x 6½ squares – contrasting fabric
3 x 2½ strips of light – color cut WOF
3 x 2½ of dark color – cut WOF

Construct HST:

Place 1 dark 10″ square on top of 1 light 10″ square. Right sides facing.
Sew a ¼” seam all around the edge of the square.
Do this for all 6 pieces of fabric. You will now have 3 x 10″ squares.
Cut from point to point on the diagonal so you will have 4 HST from one square. Turn your ruler and cut from point to point on the diagonal on the other side of the square.
Do the same for all 3 squares and you will have 12 HST.
Trim the half square triangle blocks to measure 6½” square.

If you are not sure on how to make a half square triangle check out our video tutorial

Rail Fence Block:

Sew 3 x 2½” strips together 1 dark, 1 light, 1 dark
Sew 3 x 2½” strips together 1 light, 1 dark, 1 light

To stop the strips from bowing, join two strips together sewing down the strips in one direction and when you are ready to join on the 3rd strip, join the strips by sewing in the opposite direction to what you have just sewn.

Press the seams towards the outside edge on the dark, light, dark strip.
Press the seams towards the center on the light, dark, light, strip.

From the Dark, Light, Dark strip

cut 4 x 6½” rail fence strips.
Also, cut 4 x 2½” strips – these will form part of the 9 point square.

9 Patch Square (Checkerboard)

You have already cut your 4 x 2½” strips from the dark, light, dark strip in the previous step.

Now take your light, dark, light strip

cut 8 x 2½” strips

Now that you have everything cut, assemble the 9 point square: You can see this in more detail in the video below.

Once all your Rail Fence blocks, Half Square Triangles and 9 Patch Square pieces are assembled it’s time to lay out the pieces to form the New Mexico block.

Quilting Block: New Mexico Quilt Block – 30″