Duck Tracks Quilt Block Pattern

The Duck Tracks quilt block is an easy pattern and goes together quickly. It’s layered star design will give depth and visual interest to a quilt. I’ve made my sample with a light background but the pattern looks good with a dark background and lighter fabrics for the star design. Let’s get started!

I have a full quilt pattern that uses this block in my Etsy shop. It is a downloadable PDF pattern. This is totally optional. Click the button below to learn more:

Fabric Requirements for an 8″ Finished Duck Tracks Quilt Block:

Light/White: 8 – 2.5″ squares, and 2 – 3″ squares
Medium 1/Teal: 2 – 2.5″ x 4.5″ rectangles
Medium 2/Hexie Print: 2 – 2.5″ x 4.5″ rectangles
Dark/Navy: 2 – 3″ squares

Sewing Directions:

Half Square Triangle Units:

Step 1:

Using the Light/White 3″ squares and the Dark/Navy 3″ squares, sew together four Half Square Triangle units as shown in the picture below. You can find my tutorial for making a Half Square Triangle (HST) at https://quiltembroiderypdf.com/how-to-sew-a-basic-half-square-triangle-block

Half Flying Geese Units:

Step 2:

Mark a diagonal line from corner to corner on the back of four Light/White 2.5″ squares as shown below.

Step 3:

Match up the Step 2 squares with the Medium colored 2.5″ x 4.5″ rectangles.

Step 4:

Basically, we are just sewing the first half of a Flying Geese unit. Sew on (or slightly to the seam allowance side of) the marked line as shown in the picture below.

Step 5:

Match the corners of the square and press as shown below. When you match the corners, there is no need to square up your patch.

Step 6:

Open up the square and trim the seam allowance like shown in the picture below.

Step 7:

Turn the corner back and you’re done with this Half Flying Geese unit.

Step 8:

Repeat Steps 3 through 7 using the rest of the Medium colored 2.5″ x 4.5″ rectangles and marked Light/White 2.5″ squares for a total of four Half Flying Geese units.

Corner Units:

Step 9:

Now you can sew the Half Square Triangle units to the remaining Light/White 2.5″ squares as shown in the picture below. Press the seam allowance toward the White/Light fabric. Repeat for a total of four units.

Step 10:

Match up a Step 9 unit with a Half Flying Geese unit as shown below.

Step 11:

Sew the two units together and press the seam allowance toward the Half Flying Geese unit as shown in the picture below. Repeat Steps 10 and 11 for a total of four Corner units.

Putting It All Together:

Step 12:

Lay out the four Corner units as shown in the picture below. From here the Duck Tracks quilt block goes together like a typical Four Patch block.

Step 13:

Sew the units into two rows as shown below.

Step 14:

And press the seam allowances as shown below.

Step 15:

And now you can sew the two rows together to complete the block!

Step 16:

Press the seam allowances. Here you can see that I’ve used the tweak/twirl/furl method for pressing so that the block lays nice and flat. You’re done!

I have a full quilt pattern that uses this block in my Etsy shop. It is a downloadable PDF pattern. This is totally optional. Click the button below to learn more:

Layout Ideas:

Here’s the basic 4 x 4 layout using colors similar to the ones in the tutorial.

Here’s the same layout as above but with coordinating sashing and cornerstones added.

This is an example using a large Hourglass block for an alternating block.

Here’s another alternating layout using a chain block as the alternating block.

This is an on-point example with plain background for the setting triangles.

And this on-point example uses an alternating chain block that extends into the setting triangles.