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The American Patchwork & Quilting Editors’ Alabama block finishes at 9 inches square and is made from solid white, blue, and pink fabric. Its construction combines a nine-patch, four four-patch units, and four white-and-blue rectangle units, framed with white strips and pink corner squares. It is a straight-pieced block—not the curved-pieced Alabama Beauty.
Fabric and cutting list
The pattern calls for fabric scraps in solid white, blue, and pink. Cut pieces at the dimensions below; the listed quantities are for one block.
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| Fabric | Cutting quantities |
|---|---|
| White | Four 1½ × 7½-inch rectangles; four 1½ × 3½-inch rectangles; twelve 1½-inch squares |
| Blue | Four 1½ × 3½-inch rectangles; four 1½-inch squares |
| Pink | Thirteen 1½-inch squares |
These measurements and the 9-inch finished size are from the American Patchwork & Quilting Editors’ Alabama Quilt Block pattern. The pattern’s diagrams are useful for checking the placement of each color before sewing.
How to assemble the Alabama block
- Piece the nine-patch. Arrange four white and five pink squares into a nine-patch unit and sew the rows together.
- Make four four-patch units. Join the white, blue, and pink squares into four matching units, following the pattern diagram for color placement.
- Make four rectangle units. Sew one white 1½ × 3½-inch rectangle to one blue rectangle of the same size for each unit.
- Join the center. Arrange the nine-patch, four four-patches, and four rectangle units as shown in the pattern diagram, then sew them together to form the block center.
- Add the outer strips. Sew a white 1½ × 7½-inch strip to each of two opposite edges. On each of the remaining long white strips, sew a pink square at both ends; attach those strips to the other two edges.
The original instructions include pressing directions at each stage. Follow those directions and use the diagrams for exact layout and seam orientation; the written description alone does not establish every placement detail.
#1 Best Overall
- Team Pride: This vibrant design celebrates Alabama Crimson Tide with a bold crimson red background and iconic logos
- Geometric Style: The pattern features a visually striking collage of the schools logos and imagery in varying styles.
- Versatile Applications: Perfect for crafting, quilting, home decor projects, college acceptance or bed decorating parties.
- High-Quality Fabric: Made from premium cotton material for durability and long-lasting vibrancy of colors and prints.
Is Alabama the same as Alabama Beauty?
No. The Alabama pattern described here is assembled from squares and rectangles with straight seams. Alabama Beauty is a separate curved-piecing design. Katie Mae Quilts attributes Alabama Beauty to designer Nancy Cabot in 1933 and discusses it as a distinct block: Around the Block – Alabama.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What is known about the Alabama block’s history?
A July 2024 post by Two Bits Patches reports that the Alabama design appeared as the first state block in an alphabetical sequence of 48 in the All State Quilt, published in Aunt Martha’s Workbasket in April 1936. This is a modern blogger’s account of the periodical, not an independently checked copy of the original issue: 90 Years Ago: Alabama Quilt Block.
Rank #2
- Pattern includes instructions, illustrations, and suggestions for customizing bookshelf specifically for recipient. Quilt layouts for crib, lap, and full.
The blogger reproduces two pieces of advice attributed to the 1936 publication: “From the point of view of the maker of beautiful quilts, this is not quite correct, and we do not urge anyone to make such a quilt against her better judgement,” and “But a really pretty quilt will result if you repeat only one block.” The source does not establish why the Alabama pattern represents the state, so its symbolism should not be assumed.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Pattern only
- Skil level: Advanced beginner
- Finished quilt size: 54" x 66"
- Fat quarter friendly
Rank #4
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Rank #3
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