Pattern Description:
This Scottie Dog quilt block is a mix of squares, bars, half-square triangles, and a quarter-square triangle.
Using two fabrics, one for the dog and one for the background, you construct the dog’s body, head, and tail through HST and QST units. The block is built in left and right sections, then joined to create a complete, neat quilt block.
Materials Needed & Measurements:
Dog Fabric (Grey or Black):
- 1 bar: 6-1/2″ x 8-1/2″
- 3 squares: 2-1/2″ x 2-1/2″
- 4 squares: 2-7/8″ x 2-7/8″
- 1 square: 3-1/4″ x 3-1/4″
Background Fabric:
- 2 rectangles: 2-1/2″ x 4-1/2″
- 1 bar: 2-1/2″ x 8-1/2″
- 1 bar: 4-1/2″ x 6-1/2″
- 1 square: 2-1/2″ x 2-1/2″
- 3 squares: 2-7/8″ x 2-7/8″
- 1 square: 3-1/4″ x 3-1/4″
Instructions for Making the Scottie Dog Pattern:
Sewing Half Square Triangle Units (HSTs)
Half square triangle units are necessary for forming the Scottie Dog’s head and tail.
- HST Set 1: Pair one 2-7/8″ x 2-7/8″ background square with a black square of the same size. Use the quick pieced method to sew the squares together. This process yields two HST units, with each unit measuring 2-1/2″ x 2-1/2″.
- HST Set 2: Create four more half square triangle units (HSTs) by pairing the remaining two 2-7/8″ x 2-7/8″ background squares with the remaining two same-sized black squares.
- HST Set 3: Create two HST units by pairing the 3-1/4″ background square with the 3-1/4″ black square. These larger units should measure 2-7/8″ x 2-7/8″.
(Note: If planning to create multiple identical Scottie dog blocks, the magic 8 half square triangle method may be employed).
Creating the Quarter Square Triangle Unit (QST)
Before beginning the quarter square triangle construction, review the basic QST instructions.
- Find one of the HST units previously made from the 3-1/4″ squares.
- Take the 2-7/8″ black square and draw a line on its reverse side connecting one corner to the opposite corner.
- Pair the plain black square with the selected HST unit, placing them right sides together and ensuring alignment. The marked line on the black square should be positioned perpendicular to the existing seam of the triangle square.
- Sew a seam 1/4″ away on either side of the marked line. This step uses the same technique utilized when constructing the HST unit.
- Press the seams to set them.
- Cut along the marked line, and then carefully press the resulting quarter square units open.
- The two units created are mirror images. Consult the pattern illustration to determine which unit is needed for the right-facing Scottie dog. The remaining unit can be saved for use in sewing a left-facing dog.
Assembling the Left Scottie Section
The Scottie Dog quilt block is constructed by first assembling two large sections, a left section and a right section, before sewing them together. The left section is made up of four rows.
- Row one: Use the 2-1/2″ x 8-1/2″ background bar.
- Row two: Sew a 2-1/2″ background/black half square triangle unit to each end of a 2-1/2″ x 4-1/2″ background rectangle. Press the seam allowances towards the bar.
- Row three: Use the 6-1/2″ x 8-1/2″ black bar.
- Row four: Sew a 2-1/2″ x 2-1/2″ square to each end of a 2-1/2″ x 4-1/2″ background rectangle. Press the seam allowances towards the darker fabric.
- Sew all four rows together. Press seam allowances towards the plain bars.
Assembling the Right Scottie Section
- Row one: Sew a 2-1/2″ black/background half square triangle unit to a 2-1/2″ background square. Press the seam allowance towards the square.
- Row two: Sew a 2-1/2″ black square to a 2-1/2″ black/background half square triangle unit.
- Row three: Sew the quarter square triangle unit (QST) to a 2-1/2″ black/background half square triangle unit. Refer to the illustration for guidance on selecting and placing the QST unit correctly. Press the seam allowance towards the half square triangle unit.
- Row four: Use the 4-1/2″ x 6-1/2″ background bar.
- Sew the four rows of the right section together. Press seam allowances towards row two and row four.
Final Assembly of the Quilt Block
- Sew the completed left and right Scottie sections together.
- Ensure that all seams are carefully matched.
- Press the finished quilt block.
- The final block should measure 12-1/2″ square. If the block is skewed or measures differently, use methods to square up the quilt block.
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