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54-40 or Fight

Diagram of the 54-40 or Fight quilt block layout
Design with this block

Techniques used (complete these first)

Strip Piecing

Strip Set Unit

Sewing long strips of fabric together before sub-cutting them into smaller units. This increases speed and alignment accuracy.

  1. Cut long strips of fabric to the calculated width.
  2. Align strips right sides together and sew along the entire length.
  3. Press the seams (usually toward the darker fabric).
  4. Use a rotary cutter and ruler to sub-cut the strip set into units at the required intervals.

Pro tip: Check your seam allowance after the first few inches to ensure the total width of the strip set is exactly what the pattern calls for. For strip sets with multiple seams, alternate your sewing direction for each seam to keep the strips aligned and prevent the fabric from warping or leaning. Sub-cut to the unfinished unit size listed in your cutting instructions.

Triangle in a Square

Triangle-in-a-Square Unit

Build a centered Triangle in a Square unit with the stitch-and-flip method, then trim to the exact unfinished size.

  1. Mark a diagonal line on the wrong side of each side-fabric square.
  2. Align one side square with one top corner of the center square.
  3. Stitch-and-flip: sew on the marked line, trim 1/4 inch away from the seam, then press open.
  4. Repeat on the opposite top corner to complete the Triangle in a Square unit.
  5. Trim and square the unit to the unfinished size your pattern calls for.

Pro tip: For TIAS stitch-and-flip math, cut (1) one center square at unfinished block size (finished + ½") and (2) two side squares at half of that unfinished size plus ½".

Oversize and Trim (The Float)

Triangle-in-a-Square Unit

Intentionally cutting components slightly larger than needed to allow for a perfect trim-down after sewing.

  1. Cut pieces using the 'oversized' formula (usually adding an extra 1/2 inch).
  2. Assemble the unit following standard seam allowances.
  3. Place a square ruler over the unit, aligning the center or diagonal points with the ruler markings.
  4. Trim all four sides to reach the final unfinished block size.

Pro tip: When trimming 'Triangle in a Square', ensure the top point is exactly 1/4 inch from the edge so it isn't lost in the next seam.

Subunits first

Using the techniques listed above, make the following sub units: 5 Four-Patch Units, 4 Triangle-in-a-Square Units.

Block Assembly

Assembly instructions are currently in the works, check back soon for updates!

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