Tulip Quilt Block Tutorial

I had fun making these cute tulips for my daughters’ teachers for an end of the year present. One of their teachers is an avid gardener and I thought they both might enjoy some flowers for the inside of their homes. I know there are other tulip and flower patterns out there, but I was looking for something pretty simple and a specific size, which is why I decided to write my own. There have been several people ask where I got the pattern and since I wrote it myself, I thought I’d share it here.

Tulip Quilt Block

For one 6″ x 12″ (finished) tulip quilt block you will need:

From the background fabric:

• (2) 2″ x 3.5″ rectangles
• (2) 2.5″ x 3″ rectangles
• (6) 2.25″ x 2.25″ squares

From red fabric:

• (4) 2″ x 2″ squares
• (1) 5″ x 6.5″ rectangle

From green fabric:

• (1) 1.5″ x 6.5″
• (2) 3″ x 4.5″

We’ll start off by constructing the red flower portion of the quilt block.

Take the (4) red 2″ x 2″ squares and the (2) 2″ x 3.5″ background rectangles. We’ll be using these pieces to make (2) flying geese units for the top of the tulip. First, mark a line corner-to-corner on the wrong side of each of the red squares.  Place one red square on top of one of the background rectangles, right sides together, lining up the red square along the short edge of the rectangle. Sew on the diagonal line, then cut away the excess fabric 1/4″ away from sewn line.

Open and press (I like to press these little diagonal seams open, but you can press towards the dark fabric if you prefer). Repeat with other side of rectangle.

Gather the large red rectangle and we’ll assemble the tulip top.

Sew the two flying geese together along one of the short ends.

Attach flying geese units to the base of the red tulip.

Gather all six of the 2.25″ x 2.25″ background squares and draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of each of them. Place two on the bottom corners of the red tulip we just assembled. The other four will go on the corners of the green 3″ x 4.5″ rectangles as shown below. Sew on top of the line for all six background squares.

Cut away the excess fabric, 1/4″ away from the seam and press the seams open.

Gather the 2.5″ x 3″ background rectangles and sew them on top of the leaf units. They should be sewn with the 3″ side horizontal along the leaf units’ 3″ side.

Sew the leaf units onto the stem (1.5″ x 6.5″ green strip).

Now sew the stem and leaves onto the red tulip unit. Your tulip quilt block is now complete and should measure 6.5″ x 12.5″ (6″ x 12″ finished).

You can make a one tulip mini quilt or  sew several together with 2.5″ sashing strips to make a fun table runner.

I added some free motion quilted flowers and swirls along with striped binding to finish my table runners off.

Thanks for following along and please let me know if you make one or have any questions.

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