Box Quilt Block Silent Night Table Topper

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One of my favorite quilt blocks is the Box Quilt block and making this quilt project took no time at all. This is a perfect table topper to put on your table for the holidays. I’m never sure if I should call this a table topper or a centerpiece. For years I just called it a centerpiece, what do you call this?

Silent Night Center piece made with the Box quilt block

Box quilt block table topper

16″ x 16″

You’ll find the link right below to the Box Block tutorial, I used four blocks for the centerpiece, reversing the way I used the colors in two blocks. I then added 2½” strips for the border.

I used the Silent Night grouping of Island Batik fabrics…..beautiful metallic batiks but any holiday fabrics could be used. I chose two black batiks, two gold batiks and a white batik.

Yardage

  • White batik – 1/4 yard
  • Black batik #1 – 1/8 yard
  • Black batik #2 – 1/8 yard
  • Gold batik #1 – 1/8 yard
  • Gold batik #2 – 1/8 yard
  • Binding – black batik 1/4 yard
  • Backing and batting

Purchase an ad-free printable PDF version of the Box quilt block tutorial in my shop that also includes the table topper and pillow directions. The photos have been reduced in size and the tutorial is 10 pages long.

Cutting for all 4 blocks

  • White batik – cut twelve 2½-inch squares
  • Black batik #1 – cut two 2½-inch squares
  • Black batik #1 – cut two 2½-inch x 4½-inch rectangles
  • Gold batik #1 – cut two 2½-inch x 4½-inch rectangles
  • Gold batik #1 – cut two 2½-inch x 6½-inch rectangles
  • Gold batik #2 – cut two 2½-inch squares
  • Gold batik #2 – cut two 2½-inch x 4½-inch rectangles
  • Black batik #2 – cut two 2½-inch x 4½-inch rectangles
  • Black batik #2 – cut two 2½-inch x 6½-inch rectangles

Here is the tutorial for the Box Quilt block that will show you how to piece the quilt blocks.

Sewing

Sew with a 1/4-inch seam allowance.

Make 2 blocks starting with the black batik:

  • Join a white and black 2 ½” square together
  • Press to the dark fabric
  • Stitch the 2 ½” x 4 ½” black rectangle to the left side
  • Press to the dark fabric
  • Draw a line diagonally on both of the 2 ½” white squares
  • Place the white square on top of the gold 2½” x 4½” rectangle
  • After you stitch on the line and fold over the white fabric – you will trim off the corner leaving a 1/4″ seam allowance. You can always make a small half-square triangle with the leftovers
  • Repeat this step using another white square on top of a gold 2½” x 6½” rectangle
  • Sew the pieces of the block together as shown below

Make 2 blocks starting with the gold batik:

  • Join a white and gold 2 ½” square together
  • Press to the dark fabric
  • Stitch the 2 ½” x 4 ½” gold rectangle to the left side
  • Press to the dark fabric
  • Draw a line diagonally on both of the 2 ½” white squares
  • Place the white square on top of the black 2½” x 4½” rectangle
  • After you stitch on the line and fold over the white fabric – you will trim off the corner leaving a 1/4″ seam allowance. You can always make a small half-square triangle with the leftovers
  • Repeat this step using another white square on top of a black 2½” x 6½” rectangle
  • Sew the pieces of the block together as shown below
Piecing the Box quilt blocks

White Border

  • Cut two – 2½-inch x 12½-inch strips
  • Cut two – 2½-inch x 16½-inch strips

Free-motion quilting

Free-motion quilting can add so much to a quilt project. A small table topper like this is a perfect place to practice your quilting.

I used 3 different colors of Aurifil thread for my free motion quilting, there is a photo of the back of the centerpiece that shows you where I changed colors. I just did my favorite stippling on my 15-91 vintage Singer.

Closeup of the quilting done on the Box quilt block center piece

Most of the time I attach my binding to the front of the quilt and then machine stitch it down on the back. Occasionally I will have a piece like this where the binding is black and the front border is white.

Attaching the binding to the back of the centerpiece

I didn’t want to stitch with white thread on the front and have it show on the back black binding so. I attached the binding on the backside and then stitched it down on the front. I used black thread and you can see that it is right up against the binding. Sometimes it shows a little but it looks nice on the front.

Free-motion stitching on the back of the center piece

Notice the beautiful candle? I love using the flameless battery operated flickering candles as they look so real and are much safer than candles. I really like the Box Quilt block and this centerpiece design.

Box Quilt block Silent Night table topper or center piece on deck

Changing the direction on how you place the Silent Night table topper on your table gives you a completely different look.

Silent Night table topper turned at an angle

Purchase an ad-free printable PDF version of the Box quilt block tutorial in my shop that also includes the table topper and pillow directions. The photos have been reduced in size and the tutorial is 10 pages long.

Here are some other quilt projects using the Box quilt block that will inspire you.

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36 Comments

  1. Charlotte says:

    I would love to be able to pin some of your patterns but do not see a way to do it.

  2. Lorraine Morgan says:

    Hi from Australia, I love love love this table topper and plan to make it, you have very easy instructions and photos to go with it. Thank you about the tip on how you do the binding. Stay safe, Lorraine

  3. Kay Welch says:

    Thank you for this great tutorial. Making three dimensional easy for me. I’m looking for small, easy, and nice patterns to make gifts. This fits all my needs.

  4. Elizabeth Rivera says:

    So simple, but I guess the fabric and quilting is what makes it so beautiful. Beautiful design.

  5. Michele P Bacha says:

    I love this! I’m going to have to make it.

  6. I Love the Winter Wonderland Table Topper!! The Blues are so pretty.
    I will make this one. Do you have the pattern for the String Stars Table Runner I would like to make that one also. That would be great for my scraps and I have a lot of them. You are so generous I Thank You for being YOU!! Barb. 😊♥️

    1. I just updated the link to the String Stars table runner, enjoy!

  7. Emma Carpenter says:

    My my…..This is sew beautiful. I love the 3-D look. Thanks for sharing.

  8. Robyn Lidstone says:

    Another amazing table topper Connie. The colours are beautiful, but this design would look lovely in many colour combinations. Definitely a “to do project” which will come to the front of my queue. Thanks for sharing.

  9. I would like to see this table topper with Christmas fabrics

  10. Always love the patterns that fool the eye – this has depth and motion and you make it look so easy. The directions look simple enough too. Always a good thing to have extra “mats”. I put these between my Corning Ware that doesn’t stack well – maybe a whole set for the “good” dishes! Thanks. Love seeing Mr. M.

  11. Marcia Craft says:

    I love the box table topper. My son and wife bought a new dining room table that is much smaller than their previous one so now have to make all new table toppers because the runners are too long. Just a note–I ALWAYS machine stitch my binding to the back first and then and machine stitch them to the front. I find they last longer and I LOVE the look of top-stitching–on clothing, shoes, everything! I know there are those die-hards who will say theREAL way is to hand-stitch to the back, but, I will forever be a top-stitcher!!

  12. I’m not really a quilter but you inspire me to become one. Beautiful!

  13. Such a beautiful quilt. And would look awesome in any fabric. So versatile. Thank you

  14. Robyn Johnson says:

    Thank you, I love how this looks. Can’t wait to try it out.

  15. Susan Taylor says:

    I would say it’s a Candle Matt

  16. Linda Anderson says:

    love this!! do you have a pattern?

  17. I love this block and went to the free pattern page at Quiltville but did not see any pattern that looked like this one. What is the pattern name?

  18. Beautiful topper Connie. I just love that fabric. I really wish I would have ordered more now, especially after checking the pattern I'd bought it for. Silly me. I don't have enough since I needed 3 colors and I only ordered two of them. ugh.

  19. Great colors! That block is very versatile. It was on the Block of the Month from our LQS, pattern at Quilt Blocks Galore. I love the colors you chose and the quilting! I'll sometimes do the binding that way too. Merry Christmas!
    Carole @ From My Carolina Home
    craftnut at rocketmail dot com

  20. Sandie @ crazy'boutquilts says:

    Beautiful!

  21. Createology says:

    So beautiful in elegant black and gold batiks. This will look good for any time of year. Batik Bliss…

  22. JanineMarie says:

    Very pretty! Gotta love quilting on a vintage Singer!I like your electric candle, too. I keep meaning to get one.

  23. Yummy, Yummy, Yummy batiks. They would go perfect with my Christmas Log Cabin quilt although I don't need any more fabric for it. Maybe I just need to get some to pet every Christmas.

  24. So nice. I like the golds in your fabrics.

  25. Turned out just beautiful! Silent Night is a perfect name for these fabrics. Enjoy!

  26. Missy Shay says:

    Your topper turned out great, I love that pattern!

  27. penny doty says:

    Oh I love that one but That is my favorite of Bonnie Hunt, that is her famous boxy star quilt one of the reasons I wanted to learn to quilt, You did a beautiful job on it. thank you for sharing. GOD bless.

  28. Vicki in MN says:

    So pretty and yes your candle accents it perfectly! I sew all my binding's on with machine like you do but I do use 2 different colors of threads when needed to attach the binding…just monkey with my tension a wee bit if needed 🙂 Merry Christmas Connie.

  29. Libby in TN says:

    This would be a quick hand-made gift for MIL's caregivers. Thanks for the inspiration! Have a blessed Christmas.

  30. this really turned out so pretty. thanks for sharing about the binding. I am making a baby quilt. The front has squares of minky and flannel. The back is cotton. On the back under the binding I want to put lace sticking out. But am unsure about, will the lace get caught in the presser feet. I have also read that minky should not be on the bottom when sewing. So confused as to how to continue. I need it done by Saturday night. If you have any help I would appreciate it please, and thank you

  31. Very pretty Connie. I saw the new FMQ Challenge announcement. The first one really gave me that push to just 'do-it' and I now quilt 90% of all my things now.

  32. Your topper looks great, great quilting too, was it really in 2012 she had challenges about quilting?? time flies when you're having fun quilting!