Granny Square Quilt Blocks

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There is nothing more fun than taking a quilt block like the Granny Square which looks like a crocheted granny square and making a small quilt project. I used to crochet and even made one or two granny square afghans.

This quilt tutorial will show you how to make the granny square quilt block.

Granny Square quilt block

Here is a list of the basic tools you will use when making this quilt block.

Equipment / Tools

Granny Square Quilt Block Tutorial

Granny Square quilt blocks are always fun to make and of course, I had to make a few of them, have you made them? I decided to make a mini quilt project so I used 1½” squares.

Granny Square quilt blocks to use for table topper

Using charm squares

Do you have leftover five inch charm squares from other quilt projects? This would be a great block to make with them. If you don’t, then just cut 1½-inch squares from your scraps.

How many 1½-inch squares can you get from a 5-inch charm square?

I actually used a  charm pack that I had and cut the 5″ squares into smaller 1½-inch squares. You can get nine 1½-inch squares out of a 5-inch charm square which is enough for one of the colors in your granny square block.

small squares out of a charm square

 Materials for one block:

  • 12 – 1½-inch squares of cream or other background color
  • 8 – 1½-inch squares of a print (I’m using the dark rose)
  • 4 – 1½-inch squares of another print (I’m using the light rose)
  • 1 – 1½-inch square for the center (I’m using brown)

Layout your squares as shown in the diagram below.

Layout the granny square blocks

Sew with a ¼-inch seam allowance, sew each row together. Press your seam to the darker fabric.

sew the squares together

Now sew your rows together. Your cream background squares should extend approximately ¼-inch past the print squares as shown below.

Rows of the granny square block sewn together

Carefully press your rows, this might be a good time to add a little starch to the block.

Trim your block

Now you will want to trim your block. The diagram below shows you how I trimmed my block. Trim approximately ¼-inch from the edge of your granny square block prints.

My blocks finished at almost 5-inches square. Yours may be a little bigger or smaller. The important thing is to make all of your blocks the same size. When you join your blocks you don’t want to lose the points of your granny squares.

Completed granny square quilt block

Granny Square Quilt Blocks

I was having fun making granny square quilt blocks but this granny, (me) decided that 4 granny square blocks were enough. I’ve got so many projects going and all I really wanted was to just make a couple of blocks because they are so darn cute.

Adding Sashing

I wanted to separate the four granny square blocks a little bit so I just added a 1½ inch strip between the blocks.

My granny square blocks are approximately 5-inches square so I cut four 1½-inch x 5-inch cream sashing strips. Add the granny square blocks to the sides of two of the sashing strips.

Cut a 1½-inch square of print and sew to the center of the other two sashing strips.

Granny Square quilt block project

I had a wine color fabric with little dots of gold that I thought would work great for my binding. I cut the binding strips 2¼-inches wide instead of 2½-inches. One strip was enough for the binding which I added by machine binding.

Can you guess what size this little wall hanging is? It is approximately 11-inches square.

I did a little stipple quilting in the background and the middle blocks and added a binding for a little wall hanging.

Mini Granny Square quilt

Doesn’t it look sweet with this little Willow statue on it?

Easy to make Granny Square table topper with angel on it

Granny Square block in other sizes

Would you like to make the Granny Square block in a different size? It would be simple to make the block in any size. Just pick a size for your squares and cut the amount shown below.

2½-inch blocks

  • 12 – 2½-inch squares of cream or other background color
  • 8 – 2½-inch squares of a print #1
  • 4 – 2½-inch squares of another print #2
  • 1 – 2½-inch square for the center print

5-inch blocks

How about making a quilt with 5-inch squares

  • 12 – 5-inch squares of cream or other background color
  • 8 – 5-inch squares of a print #1
  • 4 – 5-inch squares of another print #2
  • 1 – 5-inch square for the center print

No matter what size blocks you make, just remember to leave the ¼-inch seam allowance around the blocks. Have fun!

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial! This blog post has been converted to an optional PDF that’s optimized for printing.

Purchase an ad-free printable version of the Granny Block tutorial in my shop. The photos have been reduced in size and the tutorial is 4 pages long.

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40 Comments

  1. Fabulous Granny squares! So pretty and colorful. Very happy. Thanks for the tute. Am thinking about the 2 1/2″ as I have a lot. I could cut charms from the 5″, of which I also have a lot. Will have to see depending how many squares I actually make., ggg Looks like a great way to use up scraps, too. Thanks ever so much!

  2. Joan Sheppard says:

    How I have never made this is a mystery! Very nice. I do need to put on a border, even a small one as I am pretty “generous” with my binding and sometimes I cut off the tips of the on point blocks. I’ve lifted the elf imposed ban on shopping for fabric, but I still need projects like this for the XXX pounds of stash I still have. Thanks!

  3. Peggy @ Pastimes Quilt Design says:

    Cute granny squares. Really nice color combos. I may have to start making some mini projects as well.

  4. Hillbilly Tonya says:

    I just am in love with that mini quilt. It is adorable. I really want to find time to make some mini's. I think I could get hooked on them.

  5. From one Granny to another The small granny quilt will be lovely on your wall to enjoy. The stippling is a lovely finish on it.

  6. waggonswest says:

    Cheated? I don't see any cheating going on here. These squares are PERFECTLY suited to a table topper.

  7. nlcalendar says:

    Connie, I like how you think…4 squares make such a great little quilt and takes all the pressure off. I'm thinking of following your lead. ttyl Marilyn

  8. Ah Connie, that Granny Square 'little quilt' is just gorgeous!! I want one JUST LIKE IT. 🙂 Love your yummy mail, too. 🙂

  9. Nancy, Near Philadelphia says:

    Very, very VERY cute granny squares!

  10. Selvage Quilter says:

    Cute granny squares! Thank you for mentioning my selvage pattern too.

  11. I love the way you've quilted your Granny Squares – it really makes the squares pop. I started cutting for my Granny squares today!

  12. Richard Healey says:

    You are wise to stop at 4 granny squares I almost have 40 done and have decided I need almost 60 for the 3 quilts I plan to make one of which will be a give away quilt for my contest to guess Julia's B-day and weight. I was scrolling down to comment about them when I was happy to see that you got the stuff I sent you and posted it. I hope you enjoy them.

    http//richardquilts.blogspot.com
    http://trackmyshows.com

  13. Very nice. I still haven't had time to start on my granny squares but hopefully this weekend I will finally get the chance.

  14. waggonswest says:

    The granny squares are very cute!

  15. jillyヅ says:

    Now your granny square I love. Maybe all the brights I see elsewhere were just too much. Looks wonderful.

    blessings, jilly

  16. Just love your granny square blocks and they look so cute made into a mini quilt. I haven't done any of those types of blocks for many years. Maybe I should give it a go again someday…right after I finish my umpteen other projects 🙂

  17. Love the granny square mini!

  18. Huzzah on the win!

    Your Granny Squares are lovely! Sew very sweet and perfectly sewn and quilted!

  19. What an inspirational display of minis on your wall! Love your newest – granny square.

  20. Josie McRazie says:

    Fun grannys!! I just HAD to get out yesterday as well! So beautiful!

  21. Teresa in Music City says:

    Your granny blocks are totally adorable! And congrats on the wins!!!

  22. I have seen these granny squares all over blog land but not been inspired…until now! Love them in a little mini, they would make lovely presents..thanks for the idea.

  23. Good evening…

    Lovely your granny squares. Lovely colours´.
    Congratulations
    Maria Rosalia

  24. Denise :) says:

    Hmmm…I think it would make a cute doll quilt, too!! Love your 'mini' wall! 🙂

  25. Pauline G says:

    Love the idea of using the granny squares like this – and I love your wall !

  26. Very nice granny square quilt. I hope to finish piecing my blocks today. : )

  27. Wow,wow, and more wows! I love your granny mini. It is terrific at this size. And wonderful gifts!

  28. I think your granny squares are the best I've seen. Fabulous.

  29. Your granny squares turned out beautifully. I love the colors.

    Nice gifts too! Those are cool labels.

  30. Love your granny squares. Cute idea. You get a chance to make the blocks, but don't have to make a full quilt. Looking forward to the tutorial tomorrow.

  31. Your granny block wall hanging is adorable! We had wind yesterday too but our high was around 60. Looking forward to your tutorial tomorrow.

  32. LOVE LOVE LOVE your granny squares. Oh my and look at that wall of beauties, just gorgeous. So many different skills needed to complete them, inspiring 🙂

  33. Connie I love how your Granny Squares turned out and the way you quilted it. What a great wall of little quilts! Blessings, Marlene