Quilt Block Basics: The Indian Hatchet

Today we are spotlighting a simple + stunning quilt block: The Indian Hatchet. And although we say this is a “simple” block, there’s still A LOT of work involved to create stunning quilts using the Indian Hatchet block!

Cutting the Units

You can totally change the size of your Indian Hatchet block, but for tutorial purposes, we are going to show you how to achieve a 4 1/2″ unfinished block (4″ finished).

For every unit, you will cut (1) 4 1/2″ square – this is typically a neutral or solid fabric (click here to see what we learned about cutting this square on the straight-grain vs bias).

And you will cut (2) 3 1/2″ squares – these are where you can really mix up your prints.

Sewing the Block

Repeat Previous 6 Steps With 2nd 3.5″ Square

Finished Indian Hatchet Block

Bonus HST’s

You will end up with lots of 2 3/4″ HST’s that you can use in another project.

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Layout Options

Once you have the number of Indian Hatchet blocks you need for your quilt, there are tons of layout options!

You want to create a block of 4 Indian Hatchet blocks, but here are a few ways to lay them out.

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So What’s Next for Our Indian Hatchet Quilt?

We are finding that making this “simple” block isn’t as simple as we thought!

But isn’t that the case with quilting?

In order to construct this block, you have to have:

• a perfect scant 1/4″ seam allowance
• well pressed units
• lots of patience for all that cutting, marking, sewing, pressing, sewing, etc.
• AND, and this is a BIG and, we learned why cutting the 4 1/2″ square on the bias
• will help keep your Indian Hatchet quilt top corners square.

Wait, what?? The bias?? Yep, in case you missed that last bullet point, we learned a big “what not to do” with this quilt block.

Learn about it here….

In the meantime, we’re dreaming of all the potential projects we can make with all those HST’s!

Any ideas??

Jenn + Linda