How to Make a Houndstooth Quilt

Replicate the classic houndstooth pattern in a quilt.

A houndstooth pattern creates a classic look replicating houndstooth fabric. Although the pattern looks complex, it is actually made with only four different blocks, two of which are solid, in two rows of alternating blocks. Choose a white fabric and a solid or patterned fabric in another color. The classic houndstooth pattern is black and white, but quilters use a variety of colors to create houndstooth quilts.

Things You'll Need

• Solid or patterned fabric
• White fabric
• Thread
• Binding fabric
• Batting
• Backing fabric
• Rotary cutter
• Self-healing cutting mat
• Quilter's ruler

Instructions

1. Wash the fabric, if desired. Some quilters like to wash fabric so that it is sure to be colorfast, while others prefer to cut unwashed fabric, since it is easier to handle. Decide which method to follow, then do the same for all the fabric used in the quilt, including the backing. All fabric needs to be either washed or all left unwashed.

2. Cut the pieces. Use a template, rotary cutter, self-healing cutting mat and a quilter's ruler for the fastest cutting and best results. On a houndstooth quilt, the first row uses a solid square of colored fabric for the first block, then the next square is divided into four diagonal sections. The top left corner is the color, the next stripe is white, the next stripe is solid, then the bottom right corner is white. The second row starts with a block divided into four diagonal stripes again, but it begins in the top left with the white and ends with the colored fabric. The second block in the row is solid white, and the blocks alternate after that. The diagonal stripes need extra fabric for 1/4-inch seam allowances. Either create or purchase a pattern to ensure proper measurements, and sew together a test square before cutting all the fabric.

3. Sew blocks using 1/4-inch seam allowance throughout the piecing process. First, sew the blocks with the diagonal patterns. The diagonally striped blocks are stitched together in a long row, then cut into individual blocks. Each of the diagonally striped blocks are identical, just pieced into the quilt with either the colored fabric or the white fabric in the top left. When the diagonal blocks are assembled and cut, sew the rows together. Sew all the rows starting with the solid color, then sew all the rows that begin with the diagonal stripes. After sewing all the rows, piece the rows together to make the complete quilt top.

4. Pin or baste batting and backing to the quilt. If you use fusible batting, you will not have to baste.

5. Quilt the layers together with hand stitches 1/4 inch from the seam. If you choose to machine stitch, you can do either freestyle stitching or traditional quilting stitches along the seams.

6. Stitch the binding to the bottom backing of the quilt, then fold it over to finish the edges. Binding can be hand- or machine-stitched around the quilt. Use extra attention when completing corners. If you plan to display the quilt, sew a hanging sleeve -- a loop of fabric that can be used to hang the quilt on a rod for display -- on the back as you sew the binding.

Tips & Warnings

• For a new pattern or for someone just learning to quilt, consider beginning with a lap quilt or a place mat. This gives you the opportunity to test the pattern before committing to a huge number of cuts.

• Assemble some of the pieces before cutting all of them to be sure you have the angles correct.

References

• You Tube: How to Cut Pieces and Patches for a Quilt
• Leslie Unfinished: Houndstooth Quilt
• You Can Make This: How to Piece A Houndstooth Quilt