Nautilus Block
DIFFICULTY LEVEL ‣ INTERMEDIATE
FINISHED BLOCK SIZE: 12″ X 12″
The assembly for Nautilus is similar to that of Log Cabin, except you are working with triangles instead of rectangles. The block is named after the genus of mollusks that live in the South Pacific and Indian Oceans that have spiral chambered shells. The block dates to around 1910.
Instructions:
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:
Read through entire pattern before beginning project. Use ¼” seam allowances with fabric right sides together. Pressing arrows are included with illustrations. Fabric requirements include extra yardage for shrinkage and insurance. If working with directional prints, you may want to begin with more fabric than called for.
HST = half-square triangle
QST = quarter-square triangle
FABRIC:
Fabric A: (1) 9″ x 26″ strip white fabric
Fabric B: (1) 9″ x 26″ strip blue fabric
ADDITIONAL SUPPLIES:
Marking pen/pencil
CUTTING:
From Fabric A, cut:
• (1) 4¼” x 4¼” square
• (1) 3″ x 3″ square cut in half diagonally to make 2 HSTs
• (1) 3⅞” x 3⅞” square cut in half diagonally to make
2 HSTs
• (1) 5⅛” x 5⅛” square cut in half diagonally to make
2 HSTs
• (1) 6⅞” x 6⅞” square cut in half diagonally to make
2 HSTs
From Fabric B, cut:
• (1) 4¼ ” x 4¼ ” square
• (1) 3″ x 3″ square cut in half diagonally to make 2 HSTs
• (1) 3⅞” x 3⅞” square cut in half diagonally to make
2 HSTs
• (1) 5⅛” x 5⅛” square cut in half diagonally to make
HSTs
• (1) 6⅞” x 6⅞” square cut in half diagonally to make
2 HSTs
Instructional Video:
Fabrics are from the Tonga Splash Batiks Collection by Timeless Treasures.
Block Assembly:
Referring to Diagram 1, draw a diagonal line on wrong side of (1) Fabric A 4¼” square. Place marked square over (1) Fabric B 4¼” square. Sew a ¼” seam allowance on each side of drawn line. Cut in half on drawn line and press to make (2) HST Units. Trim to 3¾” each. Make 2. 
Referring to Diagram 2, place (2) HST Units right sides together, with opposite fabrics facing and seams nested. Draw a line from corner to corner on wrong side of HST Unit as shown and sew a ¼” seam allowance on each side of drawn line. Cut in half on drawn line to make (2) QST Units. Center and trim to 4½”. You will use 1.
Fold in half long side of (1) Fabric A 3″ HST and gently finger-press center point. In the same manner, fold in half one side of (1) QST Unit and finger-press center point. Match folded center points, pin, and sew together as shown in Diagram 3. In the same manner, sew a Fabric A 3″ HST to opposite side. Sew Fabric B 3″ HSTs to remaining two sides to make Center Unit.
In the same manner, sew Fabric A 3⅞” HSTs to opposite sides of Center Unit as shown in Diagram 4. Sew Fabric B 3⅞” HSTs to remaining corners.
In the same manner, sew Fabric A 5⅛” HSTs to opposite sides of Center Unit as shown in Diagram 5. Sew Fabric B 5⅛” HSTs to remaining corners.
In the same manner, sew Fabric A 6⅞” HSTs to opposite sides of Center Unit as shown. Sew Fabric B 6⅞” HSTs to remaining corners to make Nautilus Block.
