These instructions are for a 4" x 5" finished basic cat block. The process of making this block, notably the diagonal seams used to make the ears and the chin, is also used in the 25 different Catvent Quilt-Along blocks, and those instructions (found here, here, here, here, and here) refer to this post.
Unless otherwise noted, all seams are sewn with 1/4" seam allowance and pressed open.
Materials
- 2 pieces colorful fabric 2" x 2" each for the ears
- 1 piece colorful fabric 4½" wide x 4" tall for the face
- 1 piece background fabric 2" x 4½" for the ear unit*
- 2 pieces background fabric 1½" x 1½" each for the chin*
*If you followed the instructions in this post to cut background fabric for a mini quilt, you already have these pieces.
Step 1: Make the Ear Unit
With right sides together, place the 2" x 2" ears on top of the 2" x 4½" piece of background fabric, aligning the ears with the outside edges of the background fabric.
Use a fabric marker to draw a diagonal line from the upper left to the bottom right corner of the left ear. Draw a second diagonal line from the lower left to the upper right corner of the right ear.
Sew along the marked lines to create diagonal seams. Trim away the excess fabric to leave 1/4" seam allowance and press the seams open to finish the ear unit.
Step 2: Make the Chin
With right sides together, place the 1½" x 1½" pieces of background fabric on top of the cat face, aligning them with the lower left and lower right corners.
Use a fabric marker to draw a diagonal line from the upper left to the bottom right corner of the background fabric piece on the left. Draw a second diagonal line from the lower left to the upper right corner of the background fabric piece on the right.
Sew along the marked lines to create diagonal seams. Trim away the excess fabric to leave 1/4" seam allowances and press the seams open to make the cat's chin.
Step 3: Finish the Block
Sew the ear unit to the top of the face unit to finish the block.
You'll probably notice that, at this stage, your cat's chin looks a little pointy. Don't worry! It will look just right once you sew it into your project.
Square Block Variation
The Cat Block can be turned into a 6" x 6" finished (6½" x 6½" with seam allowance) block by adding the following pieces of background fabric:
- 2 pieces 1½" x 5½" sewn to the left and right sides of the block
- 2 pieces 1" x 6½" sewn to the top and bottom of the block