Thursday, 11 June 2026

Susannah Block


Susannah is a traditional block which is based on a 4x4 grid.  There is some speculation if it was named after the popular folk song from 1848 "Oh Susannah" as it is from around the same era and the block sometimes appears under that name.  Of course it could have been named after it's maker or given a biblical name as was popular (Susanna appears in the Gospel of Luke as a follower of Jesus).

Another thing to note is that this block is handed so just like the Friendship star it can spin to the left of the right.  Both are equally valid - you can even get some interesting effects if you mix them in the same project.

Block Crazy.com has a template for tracing onto the fabric if you want to hand sew your blocks

Here are just three of the You Tube videos that I found - the first is using Accuquilt.





Patchwork Square includes the block and some sample quilt layouts.Susannah - Free Quilt Block Pattern


Scissortail Quilting has a graphic of a more traditional layout alongside block instructions - Oh Susannah Quilt Block | Scissortail Quilting


This block is based on a 4x4 grid - other 4x4 blocks here.


Goose Tracks/Cross and Crown/Duck Foot in the Wind/Signal Block



This block is one that looks like a more complicated version of the Shoo Fly block.

It is based on a 5x5 grid with units that use HST and quarter square triangles.  It can also be made with large HST's in the middle that have the straight sides as long as two of the squares in the grid.  This is the more common variation although it is harder to see the "grid".


The corner sections can also be made with four diamonds, two triangles  and a square, although this can involve Y seams.

Incidentally the different versions of the names come from this blog post on the 90 Years Ago blog which looks at vintage quilts and quilt blocks.

 Goose Tracks Quilt Block Tutorial - 5", 6-1/4" and 7-1/2" blocks - Generations Quilt

This version from Poppy patchwork includes an extra stripe along the large triangle


Lisa Capen also made the block as part of a "live" video


Bloomerie Fabrics uses it as part of a Farmhouse Sampler and includes photos in their tutorial -Farmhouse Sampler - Block 4 (Goose Tracks)– Bloomerie Fabrics

Erin Underwood uses diamonds to make her block here -Flying Geese 9 BOM with geese border


This You Tube tutorial uses EPP


This video from Sunrise Quilt Studio looks at vintage blocks which have more unconventional colourways

Then there are the videos etc that call this Cross and Crown even though they are the same block














It is also worth mentioning that Accuquilt also make a goose track die that also constructs the block from diamonds.

Although it is a 5x5 block  it can also be classed as an uneven nine patch since the corner units are constructed first and then it is finally constructed as a nine patch.

More 5x5 blocks

More nine patch blocks





Saturday, 6 June 2026

Square Up - free quilt pattern

Sharp geometric lines make this a hard block to spot at first- the block is based on a four patch with internal sashing, three of the four subunits are smaller four patches with internal sashing making this a variation on the Autumn Tints block.



 Square Up Quilt Pattern | Free PDF Fat Quarter Shop Exclusive | Fat Quarter Shop

Susannah Block

Susannah is a traditional block which is based on a 4x4 grid.  There is some speculation if it was named after the popular folk song from 18...