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“Bachelor Buttons” refers to more than one published quilt-block design. Before cutting fabric, choose the version: American Patchwork & Quilting’s 3-inch block is pieced from triangles; Jen Kingwell’s Block Heads 3 Block 41 is appliqué and comes in four finished sizes.
Choose the Bachelor Buttons pattern you mean
| Pattern | Construction | Finished size | Designer or publisher |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor Buttons Quilt Block | Four pieced triangle units | 3 inches square | American Patchwork & Quilting Editors |
| Block 41 — Bachelor Buttons | Appliqué shapes and prepared circles | 4, 6, 8, or 12 inches square | Jen Kingwell, Block Heads 3 |
The name alone does not identify a single set of instructions. The two designs use different construction methods, templates, and dimensions; follow the pattern page or PDF that matches your project.
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Make the 3-inch pieced Bachelor Buttons block
The American Patchwork & Quilting pattern uses solid white and green print scraps. Download its printable pattern pieces from the pattern page and keep the A and reversed-A pieces distinct.
- Cut four white A pieces, four white reversed-A pieces, and four green B pieces, following the printable templates.
- Join one A triangle, one B triangle, and one reversed-A triangle to make a unit. Press the seams toward the white triangles. Each unit should measure 2 inches square, including seam allowances.
- Arrange the four units in two pairs. Sew each pair together and press the seams in opposite directions.
- Sew the two pairs together and press the final seam in one direction.
The resulting block finishes at 3 inches square. This pieced pattern does not use the freezer-paper appliqué process in the separate Moda design.
#1 Best Overall
- Square dimensions (in inches): 6 L x 6 W, image dimensions (in inches): 4 L x 4 W
- 100% poloyester; image is soft to touch. Made in USA
- Edges have pinking shear cut
- Image will not fade with washing.
- Image not a transfer, part of material
Make Jen Kingwell’s appliqué Bachelor Buttons block
Moda’s Block Heads 3 archive identifies Bachelor Buttons as Block 41 by Jen Kingwell and links to the official pattern PDF. The pattern offers 4-, 6-, 8-, and 12-inch finished sizes. Use the background square for the size selected:
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| Finished block | Background square to cut |
|---|---|
| 4 inches | 4½ inches |
| 6 inches | 6½ inches |
| 8 inches | 8½ inches |
| 12 inches | 12½ inches |
Gather assorted fabric scraps for the appliqué. The pattern calls for one sheet of freezer paper for the four sizes. Its templates are printed at finished appliqué size and do not include a quarter-inch seam allowance.
Rank #2
- PATTERN S9960 SIZING: Simplicity pattern includes men's and boys' sizes 34-42 so you can sew your ideal fit. Pattern sizing runs differently from ready-to-wear clothing, so measure and check the body size chart before cutting.
- IN THE ENVELOPE: Printed tissue pattern pieces and clear step-by-step illustrated sewing instructions guide you from start to finish. The envelope also lists the suggested fabrics and the notions you need, so you can shop for materials with confidence.
- AMERICAN SEWING HERITAGE: An American sewing icon since 1927 and proudly made in the USA, Simplicity has been trusted by home sewists for nearly a century for accurate, easy-to-follow sewing patterns.
- MAKE IT UNIQUELY YOURS: Create custom pieces using your favorite fabrics, prints, trims, and embellishments. Personalize your shirt to reflect your style, or use the cover photos as inspiration for handmade makes that are truly your own.
- EASY AND REWARDING TO SEW: A satisfying sewing project for beginner and intermediate sewists, perfect for everyday wear, special occasions, handmade gifts, and creative sewing projects.
Prepare the A appliqué shapes
- Trace each A template onto freezer paper, then iron it shiny-side down onto the fabric.
- Mark and cut the fabric about a quarter-inch beyond the template edge.
- Remove the paper. The instructions describe needle-turn appliqué, but allow you to use your preferred appliqué method.
For this step, use freezer paper as specified by the pattern.
Prepare the B–D circles
For the circle templates, choose No-Melt Mylar template sheets, cardboard, or construction paper—sturdy material that can withstand heat and misted starch. Mylar is optional, not required.
Rank #3
- Square dimensions (in inches): 25 L x 25 W, image dimensions (in inches): 23 L x 23 W
- 100% poloyester; image is soft to touch. Made in USA
- Edges have pinking shear cut
- Image will not fade with washing.
- Image not a transfer, part of material
- Cut fabric circles with a quarter-inch allowance around each template.
- With a running stitch, gather the circle edges around the template and pull the thread tight.
- Starch and press the gathered circle dry. Remove the template, then press carefully again.
Place and stitch the appliqué
- Fold the background square into quadrants to make placement guides.
- Stitch the A pieces first, turning under the edge as you sew.
- Position the prepared B–D circles and stitch them down.
Keep appliqué pieces at least a quarter-inch from the background edge, as the pattern recommends. Jen Kingwell introduces the design with a garden-inspired thought: “Like many quilters, I love my garden and a vase of fresh flowers just makes me happy… so does cake and coffee!!”
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What is known about the block’s history?
A September 2021 personal quilting post by Rebecca Grace Quilting reports that a four-circle Bachelor Buttons block came from a quilt made by Jane Sickle in 1863. That attribution is not verified here against a primary historical record, so treat it as a reported account rather than established provenance. Separately, Lynne Hagmeier of Kansas Troubles Quilters used the name for a blue-and-white lap quilt associated with her Seeds of Time collection in a 2011 post; that shows another design context, not the block’s historical origin.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- PATTERN M7950 SIZING: McCall's pattern includes women's sizes 6-14 so you can sew your ideal fit. Pattern sizing runs differently from ready-to-wear clothing, so measure and check the body size chart before cutting.
- IN THE ENVELOPE: Printed tissue pattern pieces and clear step-by-step illustrated sewing instructions guide you from start to finish. The envelope also lists the suggested fabrics and the notions you need, so you can shop for materials with confidence.
- MADE IN THE USA: Proudly made in the USA. McCall's has been a trusted name in home sewing since 1870, bringing contemporary, wearable style to sewists for over 150 years.
- MAKE IT UNIQUELY YOURS: Create custom pieces using your favorite fabrics, prints, trims, and embellishments. Personalize your dresses to reflect your style, or use the cover photos as inspiration for handmade makes that are truly your own.
- SKILL LEVEL: Easy. A beginner-friendly pattern with clear, step-by-step instructions.
Rank #4
- Includes sewing templates, fabric recommendations, pattern pieces, sizing guides, and instructions for (4) women and men's button up shirts.
- Clothing patterns can be made to fit sizes S, M, and L.
- Semi fitted shirt patterns have yoke variations, collar, collar bands, and patch pockets with buttoned flaps.
- Patterns are best suited for intermediate and advanced sewing skill levels.
- McCall's sewing patterns are proudly made in the United States with English, Spanish, and French instructions.
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