Quilt Block: Jack in the Box Quilt Block Tutorial
This is our tutorial on how to make the Jack in the Box quilt block. The instructions below are for a 10″ finished block” ( 10½” unfinished) but we have the fabric requirements for other sized blocks in the table at the end of this post.
What you need for a 10″ finished block
Main Fabric (white)
- 8 pcs main fabric @ 3″ x 3″
- 1 pc main fabric @ 2½” x 2½”
Contrast Fabric 1 (purple)
- 4 pcs @ 3″ x 3″
- 4 pcs @ 4½” x 2½”
Contrast Fabric 2 (black)
- 4pcs of contrast 2 @ 3″ x 3″
Tools Used in this Tutorial
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- Creative Grids Ruler 8½” x 24½”
- Olfa Non-slip Ruler 6 ½” x 6½”
- Olfa 60mm rotary cutter
- Olfa 24″ x 36″ double sided healing mat
Method
We will start by making 8 half square triangles (HST).
- Take one main piece of the main fabric and place it right sides together on one of the contrasting squares.
- Do this for all 8 pieces of the main fabric.
- Draw a line diagonally across each of the squares.
- Sew a ¼” seam on either side of the drawn line.
- Cut on the drawn line.
- This will give you 2 half square triangles (hst) from each 3″ square.
- Press the seam to the dark side on each of hst.
- Trim the hst’s to 2½”. If you are unsure on how to do this, here is a link to our tutorial.
- Lay the square out on the mat as shown in the photo below.
- Place the rectangular pieces and the centre square in place.
- We are going to work with the 4 squares in each corner.
- Place one square on top of the other, right sides together and pin.
- Sew the squares together with a ¼” seam
- Press the seam to one side
- Place the two squares in the second row one on top of the other, right sides together and pin.
- Sew the squares together with a ¼” seam.
- Press the seam in the opposite direction to the squares in the previous row.
- Pressing the squares in opposite directions means the blocks will nest nicely when you come to sew them together.
- Do the same for all four corner blocks.
Now we need to join the blocks together into rows.
- Place the first set of blocks on top of the rectangle, right sides together.
- Sew together with a ¼” seam.
- Place the last set of blocks in the row, on top of the rectangle, right sides together.
- Sew together with a ¼” seam.
- Do the same for the other two rows.
- Press the seams open.
- Press the seams on the top and bottom rows in towards the rectangle.
- Press the seams in the middle row out towards the edges.
Now it’s time to join the rows.
- Place the first row on top of the middle row, right sides together.
- Make sure the rectangle pieces line up nicely with the centre square. As we have pressed the seams in opposite directions this will help you line these piece up.
- Sew together with a ¼” seam.
- And repeat for the last row.
Your Jack in the Box quilt block is now finished.
I have made 4 of these blocks in contrasting colours and will probably add sashing and turn them into either a table runner or cushion cover.
Fabric Requirements for Different Sized Blocks
| Finished Size | Fabric 1 (White) | Fabric 2 (Purple) | Fabric 3 (Black) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6" | 8 @ 2 1/4" x 2 1/4" 1 @ 1 11/16" x 1 11/16" | 4 @ 2 1/4" x 2 1/4" 4 @ 2 7/8" x 1 11/16" | 4 @ 2 1/4" x 2 1/4" |
| 8" | 8 @ 2 3/4" x 2 3/4" 1 @ 2 1/8" x 2 1/8" | 4 @ 2 3/4" x 2 3/4" 4 @ 3 11/16" x 2 1/8" | 4 @ 2 3/4" x 2 3/4" |
| 10" | 8 @ 3" x 3" 1 @ 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" | 4 @ 3" x 3" 4 @ 4 1/2" x 2 1/2" | 4 @ 3" x 3" |
| 12" | 8 @ 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" 1@ 2 7/8" x 2 7/8" | 4 @ 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" 4 @ 5 5/16" x 2 7/8" | 4 @ 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" |