Block of the Month -- September, 2008
“Worlds's Fair (Jacob’s Ladder)”

Block Size -- 8" x 8" finished (8½" x 8½" with seam allowance)

This year, to go along with our 2008 Quilt Show Theme, we’re going “Around the World with Many Quilts!” Most of the upcoming blocks will be based on a 4-patch grid and will finish to either 8½" or 12½" (including seam allowances).

Here’s another simple block from Maggie Malone's 5,500 Quilt Block Designs. Although we may recognize it as Jacob’s Ladder, it has also been called “World’s Fair”. It’s similar to last month’s block, with half-square triangle squares replacing the large squares.

September 2008 Block of the Month -- Worlds's Fair (a.k.a. Jacob’s Ladder)  
Diagram: Fabric: Cutting Directions:
Small black squares Black print (4) 2½" squares, OR
(1) 2½" x 10" rectangle for quick-piecing method**
Red triangles Red print (1) 4½" square, cut in half diagonally
White background White tone-on-tone (1) 4½" square, cut in half diagonally
(4) 2½" squares, OR
(1) 2½" x 10" rectangle for quick-piecing method**

Assembly Instructions:

  1. Join each black square to a white square and press seam toward the black square. (If you prefer, quick-piece** these units as follows: seam the two 2½" x 10" rectangles along their long sides; press toward the black rectangle; cut at 2½" increments to yield (4) 2½" x 4½" units.) Join two units to form a square; repeat with remaining units.
  2. Piece each red triangle to a white triangle, forming two half-square triangle squares.
  3. Following the diagram, join a triangle square to a 4-patch unit; repeat with remaining triangle square and 4-patch unit. Press seams toward the triangle units.
  4. Following the diagram, join together the two units you made in Step 3.
Tips to consider:

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