Free Jacob’s Ladder Quilt Block Tutorial

Looking for a classic quilt block that’s easy to make and full of timeless charm? The Jacob’s Ladder block is a perfect choice! This 12″ block is made entirely with half-square triangles and simple squares, making it a great project for beginners or a quick finish for more experienced quilters.

While there are many variations of the Jacob’s Ladder design, today we’re keeping it simple with the traditional layout. It’s a versatile block that looks great in everything from scrappy styles to two-color combos—let’s get started!

Fabric Requirements for a 12″ Finished Jacob’s Ladder Quilt Block:

Light/Ivory: 2 – 5″ squares, and 10 – 2.5″ squares
Medium/Peach: 2 – 5″ squares
Dark/Green: 10 – 2.5″ squares

Sewing Directions:

Half Square Triangle Units:

Step 1:

Using the Light/Ivory and Medium/Peach 5″ squares, sew together four Half Square Triangle units as shown in the picture below. Press the seam allowance toward the Medium/Peach fabric. Trim/square up the units to 4.5″ square. You can find a tutorial for making a basic Half Square Triangle block at https://quiltembroiderypdf.com/how-to-sew-a-basic-half-square-triangle-block

Four Patch Units:

Step 2:

Next make five Four Patch units using the Light/Ivory and Dark/Green 2.5″ squares as shown below. You will find my tutorial for making Four Patch blocks in all sorts of different ways at https://quiltembroiderypdf.com/how-to-sew-a-basic-four-patch-quilt-block I pressed my seam allowances using the tweak/twirl/furl method.

Putting It All Together:

Step 3:

Wow! This is going together quick! Lay out the Step 1 and 2 units as shown in the picture below. From here the Jacob’s Ladder block goes together just like a basic Nine Patch block.

Step 4:

Sew the units together into three rows as shown below.

Step 5:

Press the seam allowances away from the Half Square Triangle units as shown in the picture below.

Step 6:

To finish up the block, sew the three rows together.

Step 7:

And press the seam allowances toward the center of the block as shown in the picture below. You’re done!

Layout Ideas:

This is the basic 4 x 4 layout with colors similar to the tutorial.

This layout rotates every other block to form a diamond pattern.

This example rotates every other block plus the rotated blocks have switched the placement of the blue and purple fabrics.

This version is the same layout as the second one above but with sashing and cornerstones added.

Of course I had to try out a scrappy version!

This is an on-point layout that switches the fabric placement in the alternating blocks. Also the background (cream) fabric is used for the setting triangles.

In this on-point layout every other block is rotated and coordinating sashing and cornerstones were added. The light fabric was also extended into the setting triangles.

And a scrappy on-point layout!