Stitchtale

Three-Cloth Opposing Triangle Block quilt block

A classic block that sews up in an afternoon and looks right in almost any fabric.

6 steps, start to finishWatch the Three-Cloth Opposing Triangle Block sew up, cut to press.
Sew a Three-Cloth Opposing Triangle Block quilt

Try it in your colours

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.

Cut sizes for one Three-Cloth Opposing Triangle Block block

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

Cutting for one 6″ finished Three-Cloth Opposing Triangle Block block
PieceCutQty
Half-square triangleaccent fabric2⅞″ × 2⅞″2
Half-square trianglebackground fabric2⅞″ × 2⅞″1
Background squarebackground fabric2½″ × 2½″2
Point squaremain fabric2½″ × 2½″2
Half-square trianglemain fabric2⅞″ × 2⅞″1
Center squareaccent fabric2½″ × 2½″1
Cutting for one 9″ finished Three-Cloth Opposing Triangle Block block
PieceCutQty
Half-square triangleaccent fabric3⅞″ × 3⅞″2
Half-square trianglebackground fabric3⅞″ × 3⅞″1
Background squarebackground fabric3½″ × 3½″2
Point squaremain fabric3½″ × 3½″2
Half-square trianglemain fabric3⅞″ × 3⅞″1
Center squareaccent fabric3½″ × 3½″1
Cutting for one 12″ finished Three-Cloth Opposing Triangle Block block
PieceCutQty
Half-square triangleaccent fabric4⅞″ × 4⅞″2
Half-square trianglebackground fabric4⅞″ × 4⅞″1
Background squarebackground fabric4½″ × 4½″2
Point squaremain fabric4½″ × 4½″2
Half-square trianglemain fabric4⅞″ × 4⅞″1
Center squareaccent fabric4½″ × 4½″1

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 Three-Cloth Opposing Triangle Block 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 3 by 3 grid, so a finished size that divides by 3 gives you friendly cutting numbers. The cut sizes for all three are on this page.

How many Three-Cloth Opposing Triangle Block 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 Three-Cloth Opposing Triangle Block 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 Three-Cloth Opposing Triangle Block?

Sew a test Three-Cloth Opposing Triangle Block first and measure it. If it comes out the right size, the rest will too.

Coffee and a few seams?

Start a quilt with the Three-Cloth Opposing Triangle Block and we’ll walk you through every cut and seam.

Sew a Three-Cloth Opposing Triangle Block quilt