Stitchtale

Jacob's Ladder quilt block

Four-patches and triangles that make ladders climb right across the quilt.

9 steps, start to finishWatch the Jacob's Ladder sew up, cut to press.
Sew a Jacob's Ladder quilt

Try it in your colours · Design your own quilt with it

Try it in your colours

Tap a colourway, or pick each fabric. The film at the top changes too.

Colourways

Or pick each fabric

Love it? Find real fabric in these colours at the fabric shop.

Quilts made with the Jacob's Ladder

Cut sizes for one Jacob's Ladder block

Pick the finished size. Every cut includes the ¼″ seam allowance.

Cutting for one 6″ finished Jacob's Ladder block
PieceCutQty
Center squareaccent fabric1½″ × 1½″10
Background squarebackground fabric1½″ × 1½″10
Half-square trianglemain fabric2⅞″ × 2⅞″2
Half-square trianglebackground fabric2⅞″ × 2⅞″2
Cutting for one 9″ finished Jacob's Ladder block
PieceCutQty
Center squareaccent fabric2″ × 2″10
Background squarebackground fabric2″ × 2″10
Half-square trianglemain fabric3⅞″ × 3⅞″2
Half-square trianglebackground fabric3⅞″ × 3⅞″2
Cutting for one 12″ finished Jacob's Ladder block
PieceCutQty
Center squareaccent fabric2½″ × 2½″10
Background squarebackground fabric2½″ × 2½″10
Half-square trianglemain fabric4⅞″ × 4⅞″2
Half-square trianglebackground fabric4⅞″ × 4⅞″2

In the film the triangle squares start a little big and get trimmed to size, which is the easy way to sharp points. The chart gives the exact cut if you’d rather skip the trim.

Good to know

What size should I make a Jacob's Ladder block?

Any size that suits your quilt. 12″ is the easiest to sew, and 9″ or 6″ look lovely in a busy, scrappy quilt. It sits on a 6 by 6 grid, so a finished size that divides by 6 gives you friendly cutting numbers. The cut sizes for all three are on this page.

How many Jacob's Ladder blocks do I need for a quilt?

At 12″ you need 9 blocks for a wall quilt, 12 for a baby quilt, 30 for a throw, 48 for a twin quilt and 72 for a queen quilt. Sashing or a border between them means fewer blocks for the same size.

Is the Jacob's Ladder good for a beginner?

Yes, if you take it slowly. The one new skill is the half-square triangles, and the film at the top shows every cut, seam and press.

What's the trick to a neat Jacob's Ladder?

Keep the lights light and the darks dark. The ladders only show when the contrast is strong.

Coffee and a few seams?

Start a quilt with the Jacob's Ladder and we’ll walk you through every cut and seam.

Sew a Jacob's Ladder quilt