How to Make the Tennessee State Quilt Block

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On this momentous day, October 26, 2023, we are thrilled to introduce the Tennessee State Quilt Block tutorial in celebration of National Tennessee State Day! Dedicated to preserving the storied tradition of quilt blocks in every state, we have taken meticulous steps to break down this block, ensuring that quilters of all proficiency levels can take part and discover delight in the process. Through our simplified method, you now have the chance to create the Tennessee State Quilt Block, transforming it into an enjoyable and gratifying project. Immerse yourself in Tennessee’s captivating shades as you stitch together this exceptional quilt block, capturing the true essence of the Volunteer State in your quilting masterpiece. Prepare to quilt with pride and pay homage to Tennessee’s artistic legacy on this noteworthy occasion.

, How to Make the Tennessee State Quilt Block

Embark on a quilting odyssey as we venture into a captivating journey through time, delving into the intricate mosaic of historical heritage and artistic legacy that has shaped the enduring beauty of quilting. Within this enthralling expedition, we warmly welcome you to join us as we dive into the heartwarming tale of the Hearth and Home quilting project—an extraordinary initiative that united quilters from all corners of the United States during the early 1900s.

Today, our exploration turns to the enchanting state of Tennessee, where history and imagination converge to unveil the Tennessee State Quilt Block. This exquisite design takes inspiration from the beauty of the Iris, Tennessee’s distinctive state flower. Skillfully blending contrasting tones, including the rich hues found in the Iris, infuses vitality into this captivating quilt block, turning it into a spectacle of sheer grandeur.

Stay engaged for upcoming state block tutorials as we persist in commemorating the quilt block heritage of every state, sharing the diverse beauty and essence of America, one block at a time! Happy quilting!

You can find the cutting instructions and templates for this block below, so let’s dive right in! The pattern incorporates rotary cutting guidelines and templates if you opt to print the pattern.

Go grab the rotary cutting directions for this block below and let’s get started!

Supplies

Rotating Cutting Board (0ptional) – to help turn your pieces without touching them.
Quilt ruler: Ensure you have a quilt ruler on hand, as it will help in drawing precise lines and measurements.
Marking Pens – I like Frixion because they erase with heat.

Below are the fabrics I used in my Tennessee Quilt Block inspired by the State Flower #2 Iris.

Step 1 – Cut the Pieces

Before progressing further, it’s crucial to possess precise cutting instructions. You can easily access these guidelines in our free resource library, a valuable collection of information. There, you’ll find the cutting instructions ready for your use.

Check out my video tutorial if you need help with cutting the pieces.

Step 2 – Create the strip sets and cut diamonds

Take the strips of the four colors and stitch them together, then press the seams open. Ensure that the strip with the same color as the corners is positioned along one edge.

Next, we must proceed to cut our diamonds from the strip set. Ensure that the strip color matching your corners is positioned at the top when it’s oriented in front of you. Take a ruler with a 45-degree angle and align the 45-degree line with the top of the strip set. Place the corner of the ruler at the corner of the strip set and make the initial 45-degree cut along the ruler. Discard the first piece that has been cut off.

Now, let’s measure 3 5/8 inches from the top corner and create a mark. Align the ruler’s 45-degree angle line along the top of the strip set once more, but this time position the ruler’s corner on the mark we just made. Your 45-degree cut will run parallel to the first cut. Cut along the ruler to obtain our first diamond. Repeat until we have 8 diamonds.

Step 3 – Sew the Diamonds Together

Next, we’ll stitch the diamonds together to form half of a block. Lay out four of the diamonds as specified in the pattern. Place two diamonds with their right sides together along the seam. We will mark a point 1/4 inch from the spot where the Y seam will be, and this mark will serve as the starting point for our sewing, leaving a gap for our Y seam. Repeat this process for each of the four diamonds in each half section.

Step 4 – Add Pieces D & C with Y Seams

Mark the D pieces in the corner noting the 1/4″ from the corner. For the C piece, mark 1/4″ from the top of the triangle.

Align the D piece with the one of the sides of the diamonds, matching the 1/4″ mark with the point where we started sewing the seam. Pin in place and sew from the mark to the end. Lock or backstitch where you start sewing on the mark.

Iron the seam towards the the strip set.

Repeat for the other side and iron towards the strip set.

The triangle and other corner will be set in exactly the same way.

Step 5 – Put the two halves together

Sew the two halves we made in Step 4, line up from point to point and sew from the 1/4″ mark and end at the 1/4″ mark. Iron seam open.

Add the remaining C triangles just like we did in Step 4. Iron towards the strip sets.

Once the center is finished, it may not be square. Measure around your square to find out what it needs to be trimmed to. It will should be between 9 1/2 to 10 inches square. Trim up the block.

At this time we need to determine how big the sashing will be. To figure this out take your center square measurement and subtract 1/2″. This will be your first center block constant. Next we need the block to 12 1/2″ unfinished, so subtract the center block constant from 12 1/2″ and divide that number by 2. We aren’t done yet, we need to add in 1/2″ seam allowance for the sashing to the number we just came up with.

Example – Center block is 9 1/2″ once trimmed. 12.5 – 9.5 = 3, 3/2 = 1.5, 1.5 + .5 = 2. We come up with 2″ for our sashing width.

So we need to cut our sashing at the width we determined by the size of the center block. Remember we have a two color sashing, so we will cut one sashing from each color.

Sew these short sashing on opposite sides of the center block and iron towards the sashing.

For the long sashing we will need a 12.5″ strip by sashing width from each color. Sew on opposite sides and iron towards the sashing.

Your Tennessee State Quilt Bock is complete!

As we approach the conclusion of our journey, we find ourselves fully immersed in the captivating realm of the Tennessee State Quilt Block. Originating in the early 1900s, particularly within the Hearth and Home quilting project, our contemporary interpretation of this block encapsulates both the rich artistic heritage and profound identity of the Volunteer State. Through the meticulous assembly of this exquisite block, we’ve drawn inspiration from Tennessee’s distinctive state symbol, the Iris. This artistic embodiment has empowered us to fashion a masterpiece that genuinely pays homage to the state’s inherent allure. In the course of this creative odyssey, we’ve come to realize that quilting transcends being a mere craft; it’s a medium of self-expression that seamlessly weaves history, tradition, and heartfelt dedication. The Tennessee State Quilt Block stands as a testament to unity and camaraderie, fostering a space where quilters from all walks of life come together to honor the enduring legacy of this beloved art form.

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