54-40 or fight / nine patch block

 

"54-40 or fight" is named after the campaign slogan by Polk in the race to become President of the USA in 1845 to rally the support for dividing the West Coast (Oregon)  between USA and Canada at the 54'40" latitude.

The quilt block is based upon a 3x3 grid. The central square and each of the four corners is made from a four patch, these can give a diagonal line across the quilt when the blocks are set side by side of with other alternate blocks.

The units that make up the four side squares are "triangle in a square" or sometimes "peaky and spike".  These are often cut using specialty rulers or paper pieced for accuracy.

Examples:

Generations Quilt patterns 

Quilt Genie

As a side note the three colour version shown below is called "Bird of Paradise"- it is still the same subunits as 54-40 or fight.

The block is often used in two block patterns such as "Tennessee waltz"

More nine patch quilts