Little Fabric Shop Quilt: Road to Oklahoma Blocks
This is a big block month! We are stepping up our quilting game with the Road to Oklahoma block. This block is an advanced beginner block and a little more complicated than previous blocks, but don’t worry. You’re ready! We will use the same skills as we did in the previous blocks – Log Cabin Blocks and Hourglass Variation Blocks – including nesting seams, creating half square triangles, and sewing with a true ¼-inch seam allowance. In total, you will create 20 Road to Oklahoma blocks.
History of the Road to Oklahoma Block
The Road to Oklahoma quilt block is found in quilting dating back to the mid to late 1800’s. This block pattern shows the travel to the west as pioneers journeyed to begin a new life on the plains. This block is a Double 4-Patch block – 16 blocks total will create the final Road to Oklahoma
Road to Oklahoma Quilt Block Directions
Let’s get started! Below is a PDF pattern download with all the steps to create this block.
PDF Download: Road to Oklahoma Block Directions
General Pattern Information
The is a beginner friendly block. All dimensions are written in height x width throughout the directions. It is important to read all the instructions prior to beginning this project. You will need a Cutting Ruler, Scissors, Rotary Cutter, Creative Grids® Half Square 4-in-1 Triangle Ruler, Cutting Mat, Pins, Iron, Starch, Sewing Machine and a ¼-Inch Presser Foot.
Fabric Requirements
The table below indicates the fabric requirements for the ENTIRE quilt. Additionally, it provides information on color names and the color letters. We recommend quilter’s weight cotton for this project.
We used Cotton + Steel Basics fabric. We have also created a fabric bundle for this quilt and all the fabrics follow the monthly instructions exactly.
Cutting Requirements
Use the Block Layout Guide below along with the Cutting Chart to cut out all the fabrics. It is helpful to press and starch your fabric prior to cutting and sewing. This will allow for more accurate cuts and also stability when piecing the fabrics together.
Fabric Sides
We will use the corresponding color to the block to indicate the Right Side of Fabric (RSF). White will indicate the Wrong Side of Fabric (WSF).
Create Checkerboard Blocks
You will create 40 individual Checkerboard Blocks in this section.
STEP 1: Create 7 Strips
Take one BLOCK 1 and sew it to one BLOCK 2 along the Width of Fabric (WOF) with the RSF facing each other utilizing a ¼-inch seam allowance. Press seam towards darker fabric.
Hint: Starch the strips prior to sewing to help add stability to the fabric.
Repeat with remaining strips to create a total of 7 sewn strips.
STEP 2: Cut Strips & Finalize Blocks
Cut sewn strips into 3½” segments to create a total of 80 blocks.
Sew two of the blocks together by reversing the direction of each block. Nest seams to create clean points. Sew with a ¼-inch seam allowance along the long side. Press open seams.
Repeat steps above to create 40 completed checkerboard blocks.
Create Half Square Triangles (HST)
You will create 80 individual Half Square Triangle Blocks in this section.
STEP 1: Sew Blocks
Layer BLOCK 3 on top of BLOCK 4 with RSF each other. Draw diagonal lines from corner to corner on BLOCK 3 as shown below.
Pin to hold fabric layers in place. Sew a 1/4-inch seam allowance on either side of the drawn lines as shown below.
Repeat this step for the other 9 stacked blocks.
STEP 2: Cut Blocks
Cut the large square into four units as shown below.
Now cut along the drawn diagonal line. In total you will have a total of 8 HST.
STEP 3: Square Off HST
Trim to size by positioning the 3” horizontal dashed markings over the HST seam line. Trim.
Open up triangle and press seams open. You should have completed 80 Half Square Triangle Blocks.
Create HST & Solid Square Blocks
You will create 40 HST and Solid Square Blocks in this section.
STEP 1: Piece Rows Together
Place completed HST on top of BLOCK 5 with RSF each other. Pay close attention to the direction of the fabrics. Sew with ¼-inch seam allowance along right edge of fabric.
Open up sewn fabric and press seams towards BLOCK 5.
Place BLOCK 6 on top of completed HST with RSF each other. Pay close attention to the direction of the fabrics. Sew with ¼-inch seam allowance along right edge of fabric.
Open up sewn fabric and press seams towards BLOCK 6.
STEP 2: Complete HST & Square Blocks
Sew rows together. Nest Seams for perfect points. Press open seams. You will have 40 of these blocks.
Assemble Road to Oklahoma Blocks
Layout all your fabric pieces as shown in diagram below.
Sew one HST & SOLID BLOCK to one CHECKERBOARD BLOCK to create the top of the Road to Oklahoma Block as shown in diagram below. Place the Checkerboard Block on top of the HST Block with RSF. Sew with ¼-inch seam allowance. Pay close attention to the fabric color placement.
Sew one CHECKERBOARD BLOCK to one HST & SOLID BLOCK to create the bottom of the Hourglass Block as shown in diagram below. Place the HST Block on top of the Checkerboard Block with RSF. Sew with ¼-inch seam allowance. Pay close attention to the fabric color placement.
Press seams towards Half Square Triangle and Solid Square Blocks.
Sew all the rows together. Nest seams and pin. Sew using a ¼-inch seam allowance. Press seams open. This block should measure 12½” x 12½” (finished size will be 12” x 12”). Press open seams. Repeat steps to create 20 Road to Oklahoma Blocks.
Next Steps
You should have a total of 20 Road to Oklahoma Blocks with 8 Hourglass Variation Blocks and 4 Log Cabin Blocks from the previous tutorials. Set these blocks aside for now. In the future, we will give you instructions on how to use these blocks to create the quilt top. Stay tuned!
Join the Quilting Fun!
We hope that you continue our ten-month Little Fabric Shop Quilt journey. Follow along with the Instagram #littlefabricshopquilt so that we can see your progress and be inspired by your work. Stay up-to-date on this event and all the happenings at Little Fabric Shop by signing up for our Newsletter located on the bottom of our homepage. Happy Sewing!!
