The 54-40 quilt block makes a beautiful pillow and I have an easy tutorial to share with you today. This quilt block uses the triangle in a square block and I have a template you can download if needed.
Updated March 2019
54-40 Batik Pillow Tutorial
16″ x 16″
This block can be made several different ways including using the templates provided, the Tri Rec rulers or AccuQuilt dies.
54-40 Batik Pillow Tutorial
16″ x 16″
Today is my day on the Island Batik Sock Hop. The Sock Hop started on Monday at Island Batik and will end January 25th. Each day a designer or ambassador will share a block made with Island Batik fabrics, there will be tutorials, giveaways and lots of fun!
I used the beautiful batiks called Running Water and the block I am showing is called 54-40 or Fight. This is one of my favorite blocks and I make it in many different sizes.
I love making pillows; they are a fast way to make up a project and also make a wonderful gift. This block is 12 inches with a 2 inch border giving me a 16 inch pillow.
54-40 or Fight is a type of 9 patch block and you can see how the sections go together.
Here is the block with the sections sewed together.
Fabrics:
- ½ yard Dark Teal batik – fabric that will also be used for the borders and back of the pillow
- ¼ yard Bright Teal batik
- ¼ yard Cream batik
- 16″ square pillow form
Fabrics for one pillow with 4″ square in center:
Cutting:
- Dark Teal batik – cut 1 – 4½” square and 4 – triangle in a square sections as shown below
- Bright Teal batik – cut 8 – 2½” squares or use the strip method below
- Cream batik – cut 8 – 2½” squares or use the strip method below
Fabrics for one pillow with 4 patch square in center:
Cutting:
- Dark Teal batik – cut 2 – 2½” square and 4 – triangle in a square sections as shown below
- Bright Teal batik – cut 8 – 2½” squares or use the strip method below
- Cream batik – cut 10 – 2½” squares or use the strip method below
Strip cutting method:
- Cut 2½ inch strips of two different fabrics for the 4 square sections.
- Sew the two strips together with a ¼ inch seam allowance
- Sub-cut into 2½ inch pieces
- Sew two of the sections together as shown below
Center Block – choose one:
- 1 – 4 1/2 inch square
- 2 – 2½” Dark Teal batik and 2 ½” Cream batik squares sewed into a 4 patch
Triangles in a square sections
For this block they will measure 4 1/2 inches unfinished. There are several ways you can make this.
My favorite way to make this block is of course with my AccuQuilt Go! 4″ Triangle in a Square Die.
If you have any of the AccuQuilt GO! Qube Companion Angle sets, they all have the dies to make triangle in a square blocks.
In no time at all you can easily cut all of the pieces.
The Tri-Rec templates are another great way to cut the shapes, just follow the directions that come with the templates.
If you don’t have the die or templates you can Download the full size tempates here.
Sew the triangle in a square blocks together as shown below.
Here is the finished block which is 12½” square. For some reason I didn’t make this block into a pillow, wonder where it went.
Now it is time to add the borders.
Borders:
- Cut 2 – 2½” x 12½” pieces and sew to the sides
- Cut 2 – 2½” x 16½” pieces and sew to the top and bottom
Quilt as desired:
I used my vintage 15-91 Singer sewing machine for all of my piecing and quilting.
I like using Aurifil thread and chose a dark teal color, I also used a Schmetz Microtex 80/20 sewing machine needle. This needle works very well with batiks.
This is also a great time to experiment with free motion techniques.
I think it is always fun to get a peek at the back so here you go!
I put a zipper in the back of my pillows with a flap……next pillow….I’ll show you a easy way to do that!
These are the same fabrics I used when I made my pattern Country Birds for the second time.
Remember my fabric basket tutorial …..well I made another one……I just can’t stop!
I want to give it to someone along with 4 fat quarters of Running Water batiks. How do you win?? Easy peasy! Just leave me a comment and let me know how you follow me.
This giveaway will expire Monday, January 26th at midnight CST.
Thanks to all for entering my giveaway for the Island Batik fabrics and basket during the blog hop, the winner is Wanda from Exuberant Color.
This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my full disclosure policy for details.
Chris Smith
Hi Connie, I found this tutorial a few months ago and I made four of these pillows also. I recently invested in the 4 inch Triangle in a square cube and it was so fun and easy to make this block. Thank you for your inspirational tutorials.
MoeWest
I follow with bloglovin. Your pillow and the batiks are beautiful!
The Slow Quilter
I just love the pillows and the Go Cutter. I follow you by e-mail.
Nancy in IN
I follow you by email. Your grands are doing a great job. Do you let them sew yet? They could make the half square triangles!
Donna Cutting
I follow you with email and bloglovin, thanks for the gorgeous fabric.
Denise
I enjoy your blog through Blogger, especially as you are so close to me – another Iowa quilter. Thanks for sharing your treats and talents. You keep me going to find the time to do what I love.
GranChris
I follow on Bloglovin. I love your color choices andd of course it came out wonderful.
Linda
I found your blog by clicking on your picture in WIP Wednesday. Your pillows are beautiful and the fabric colors perfect.
Peggy
I follow you via Bloglovin. Love the pillows!
Thanks,
Peggy
[email protected]
Edie
Hi! I am new to your blog. I just found you today with this blog-hop, and I am enjoying the fabulous ideas you have all come up with. I needed some new pillow covers, and love your idea. I do believe I will be making a few batik pillow covers. Thanks for the draw.
Mara
I follow via bloglovin'
Judy D in WA
Hey Connie!!! I've been following you forever! Great projects!
Jackie Thompson
I follow on Facebook.
Jackiethompson323(at)gmail.com
Quilting Nonnie
I follow you on Google. Those colors you used for your pillows were fanatic! I would have picked them in a heartbeat!
Happy Cottage Quilter
I follow you on GFC. Love these colors!
Laura
Love that 54-40 blog and tutorial. Blue is my fav colour. Follow you with google.
Brandy Pettit
Hi Connie! I'm following you with Google. I love these colors, thanks for the opportunity to have some to pet!
~Brandy
Jacqueline Frances
Hi there Connie!
I follow you via email AND via Bloglovin(in case my email conks out!). One day I hope to post on your Tuesday linky party!
Thanks so much for the giveaway,
Jacqueline in Pitt Meadows
Dora, the Quilter
Hi, Connie, I follow you via Bloglovin. Those watery colored batiks are just wonderful!
Stitches
Hi Connie, I follow you by Facebook, Bloglovin' and Google. I think that is all!! You always have something going on that interests me..keep up the good work..
Exuberantcolor/Wanda S Hanson
I follow you via Bloglovin'
Exuberantcolor/Wanda S Hanson
thanks for the giveaway offer. The fabrics are beautiful
Abbigail
Beautiful!! I love these fabrics and the way that you used them! I receive your emails.
Frederique
Great giveaway ! I follow you on Bloglovin'
Joan H.
I follow via email and bloglovin
Crafty Tokyo Mama
The Running Waters name is spot on. Those colors are so cool and refreshing. Love them all!
I'm a very happy e-mail follower and look forward to seeing your posts in my inbox.
Carolyn
Hi Connie. I follow you through bloglovin and blogger. I love all your colors! I never thought to use the tri ruler like that,backwards so the sides stand out for the star. Thanks for the tip!
stampgram
So pretty. Love those colors! I am following you on Pintrest. Thanks for the chance…Jan 26 is my Birthday! Wonder if that is lucky
Aileen Lenzi
I follow thru email which I found thru bjeweled. I am impressed with your detailed instructions and patterns if you don't have a cutter. I do but it is always nice to see that a blogger thinks of her whole audience. Thanks for the tutorial and a chance to win these beautiful fabrics.
tiffany Matto
I follow on facebook!
Love these batiks! cute basket too! It would look great on my desk holding my sewing essentials!
Jane
I follow you on pintrest and bloglovin. Love this tutorial, especially the great choice of fabrics!
Mary Detwiler
I just discovered your blog and will follow it. Your batiks basket is gorgeous! So inspiring.
tac73
I follow your blog by e-mail. Love these batiks and your baskets too.
Sheila Ivany
I adore your pillow; colour and design. I appreciate your instructions as I will use this block to finish a quilt. Thank you for a chance to win. Happy Quilting 🙂
email [email protected]
Kathy MacKie
I follow you by Blogger, love the Batik Colors.
Sheila
I follow your blog and love your work , great pillows and wonderful fabrics !
Lori L
I just discovered your blog and will be following it from now on. I love those shades of blue you used for your block.
Stefanie
Beautiful pillows! I follow you via Blogger. 🙂
Marly
Beautiful fabrics; I love those watery blues and greens. I've downloaded the table runner pattern, thank you.
I follow you on Google Friend Connect and on Facebook.
Susan boots
Love following your blog on bloglovin.. and the colors are my favorite.
Judy Barr
Fantastic batiks. Love the colours and the tutorial. Thanks heaps.
judybarr at iearn dot org dot au
Julie
I've followed your blog the last year or two. I am sure Pelly would have approved of your beautiful water-y color in those batiks!
Sonja Mclane
I follow you on Facebook. I absolutely love the batiks hope I am the winner!!!!!! [email protected]
Rhonda D.
Love your tutorial & block. I follow you through Bloglovin (Rhonda Desgranges)
QuiltSue
I love that block too, and I love the colours you used. They are currently my favourite colours. I follow you through Bloglovin.
Wendy
Hi, Connie
I've been following you for about a year now via Bloglovin
Love your tutorials and the colors you use.
Farm Quilter
Love your pillows! The fabrics are yummy and 54-40 or Fight is a great block pattern!! Your quilting is marvelous 🙂 I get your blog posts in my email 🙂 I guess I just can't get enough of Pelly's mom LOL
Rachell
I follow you on Bloglovin, Craftsy, and Facebook!
I love 54-40 or Fight. It sure looks easier to match with the corners trimmed!
I love the aqua and blues, too.
reillyr2(at)hotmail(dot)com
Susan Clakson
I follow you on email. First discovered you blog through Blog Lovin. Thank you for the tutorial. I love the block & I'm crazy for the colors!
Renea
I follow your blog. Love to read all about your quilts and your life by the river. Thanks for the great giveaway.
Mom C
I follow with blogger. Love the pillow, love the blues. Thanks.
Vicki H
Pretty pillows. I happily follow with GFC.
jmniffer
Gorgeous fabrics! I follow with RSS Feeds.
Cloud 9
Love those colors and you did a great job free motion quilting. I follow on Bloglovin.
Tami C
I follow your blog through Bloglovin and on Facebook! I made 2 of those cute little baskets. I gave 1 to my mother-in-law and the other 1 to my sister-in-law. They really liked them!
scottylover
I follow your blog through Bloglovin and I follow you on Facebook!
Sandy A
Kathy E.
Connie, I would be honored to take those lovely batiks off your hands! I follow you on Bloglovin' and I'm near you too, in Dubuque!
PK Sews
I follow you via Facebook and Bloglovin. I LOVE all of your batik projects, including these gorgeous pillows. Thank you for the tutorial for these blocks. The design, the fabric, and the quilting are all beautful. And so is your fabric basket!
Andrea York
I follow on bloglovin!
Lovely fabrics and easy to follow tutorial!
(wasn't able to use rafflecopter, wouldn't let me enter anything)
OhioLori
Loooove your Block! Thank you for the Tutorial…and how to cut pieces without the Accuquilt too (I would LOVE one,,,is on Wish List! lol)
I follow you thru Bloglovin & Email 🙂
lynndalou
I've done a similar block to this, but the colorway you've chosen just makes it pop.
rvquilter
I follow email/ and Bloglovin feeds.
you brighten my days
QuiltShopGal
Gorgeous pillows, beautiful fabric and wonderful tutorial. Total #CreativeGoodness.
QuiltShopGal
http://www.quiltshopgal.com
Paradise Threads
I follow blogger.com. Love, your beautiful place in the U.S. and your quilt tutorials.
Donna W
Thanks for the fantastic tutorial. I will be making this block for sure. Enjoy following you blog via email.
Hannah
I love the colors! I have your blog on my favorites list.
Diannia
I love the color of the batiks you used. You might just convert me to batiks yet! LOL!
Lu
I am a follower of your "SUPER" creativity!
Thank you for a chance to win some very pretty goodies.
linda gillian
Hi, I follow you by email. I love this block! It is one of my all time favorites.
Linda Johnson Gillian
Mary Ellen
I follow you by email.Very pretty basket ,and love the colors in the block.
Sara
I follow you on Bloglovin' and also have your blog bookmarked on my browser. Those pillows are gorgeous!!!
Sharon
I follow you by email @ [email protected] and on Facebook.
Gill
Gorgeous colours Connie!
GFC follower
Wendy Booth-Boyd
I get an email from you…it's nice to hear all your news and activities….best wishes and thanks.
Wendy
lag123
Email lag110 at mchsi dot com
Baukje
Beautiful Connie I Love all of your Batik creations, those colours especially. I follow your blog through Bloglovin and Digg Reader, I really don't want to miss anything.
Baukje
JANET
Beautiful fabric! I follow on facebook.
Cecilia
I'm a follower via bloglovin. I love your pillow! Great job!
Quilting Tangent
Following on bloglovin'. [email protected]
Denise
Love your Blog – I follow it real slowly and re-read it when necessary! Love the Running Waters fabric . . . makes a fabulous pillow. I'm going to look at the adorable fabric basket!
VickiT
Ahaaaa, NOW I know why you wanted that triangle in a square die. Looks great Connie. Those are pretty colors in the fabrics.
And yea, I think maybe I might follow you. lol
Patricia
Love the colors!
Great giveaway. Thanks!
Scrapatches
Beautiful fabrics, designs and quilting!
I follow you on GFC and FB.
Thanks for sharing … 🙂 Pat
Lorie Bugaiski
I follow you by email, love your blog! Thanks for a chance to win!
StarFond
Love those beautiful colors. Thanks for the chance to win! I follow you via email and google.
pamspretties57
Hiya Connie!!! I follow you by email at playamom57 at yahoo dot com. I LOVE those pillows, and batiks are my favorite fabrics. Thanks for participating and having the giveaway. Blessed be, hugs!!! Pam
pamspretties57 at gmail dot com
Kaye M
Your pillows are gorgeous! I follow your blog by e-mail. [email protected]
carla
Hi!!!! Love the colors and the fun block!!!! I follow on gfc!!!!! Thank You
Margaret
follow you on Feedly. Really enjoy your blog, thanks for the give away
Susan Arnold
Lovely colors and a pretty bag! Thanks for the giveaway
teachpany
Gorgeous! I love the fabrics and what you did with them. I follow on facebook.
MomDea
I follow your blog, Connie… It is the first thing I look at in my email. You must sew night and day… so many beautiful things… How is your Pelican??? any news
Quiltlady
Hi Connie, Lovely fabrics in this collection. I follow you on Facebook.
Tabitha Keener
I follow you by email! Thanks so much!
tdkcarpenoctem (at) hotmail (dot) com
Audrey
Beautiful pillows. The colours of Running Water make my heart sing. Each of your posts comes to my email inbox. I so enjoy reading them. Thanks for sharing and being part of the hop.
MissPat
I follow your blog by email. I've found several ideas for future projects. Thank you. Love batiks.
Createology
Now you are making my heart sing with these Running Water Island Batik fabrics and your skills in making gorgeous pillows. Oh Yes, I would love to win your give. I follow the old fashioned way on Google. Creative Batik Bliss…
Lorna McMahon
Your cushions are beautiful! Love those cool toned fabrics and your quilting is such a complement to the design. Thanks so much for sharing the tutorial, Connie!
Connie Cain
I follow via e-mail. I love batiks!! Never can have enough. 🙂
[email protected]
Robin
I love your pillows and your tutorial. Thank you for sharing.
I follow your blog on blogger and bloglovin (sometimes one or the other won't work on my computer) I also just started following you on facebook.
Robin in Washington state
assweetaspeaches hotmail
Lauri
I follow you by email. Love your posts! I'm a batik lover, too, so would love to win your giveaway! Thanks.
Dawn
I follow you by email, and I love your baskets/boxes so much. They are on my list of to-do's. Have a wonderful day!
Lyn
I visit each day. Love your blog! I follow you by e-mail Beautiful projects and I love seeing the back side of your beautiful quilting.
Lou
I follow by email:)
louster388atyahoodotcom
Love getting updates!!!!
Karen
I follow your blog via bloglovin'.
Verna G
What a wonderful give-a-way! I follow your blog- check it every morning!
DuAnne
I follow you via email! Love those Batiks!
Karen in Breezy Point
I follow via email–pretty colors!
Joyce Carter
The pillows are beautiful, Connie. I really love the quilting.
Thank you for the giveaway. I follow you via GFC/Bloglovin, Facebook,Pinterest and I think a few more places.LOL
Kim Sanderson
Connie, I follow your blog by email from Canada. I have made many of your projects, you inspire me everyday.
Vicki in MN
oops I follow on google!
Vicki in MN
Super super gorgeous, and they are just my colors, LOL
Havplenty
I love the colors and the fabric basket. These colors remind me of the tropics. I so need to be cruising.
tushay3 (at) yahoo (dot) com
Calicojoan
Don't know if the gorgeous fabrics or the block designs you picked are the greatest! Love them both and have followed for a very long time.
😉
Sharon
I follow you using Vienna. Thank you for sharing your lovely project and tutorial. This is going to be a fun blog hop!
Quiltsmiles
Cute fabric basket and those colors are beautiful. I still printed out your tutorial to make one too.
I follow via Bloglovin and also by email delivered right to my in box.
Christine
I follow you on FB and bloglovin! Beautiful fabric and pillows.
Daryl @ Patchouli Moon Studio
Forget to say I follow you via GFC.
Daryl @ Patchouli Moon Studio
Gorgeous pillows Connie. Great quilting too!
Jasmine
I follow (pretty recently) through Bloglovin. I appreciate the close-ups of the quilting. I am about to attempt quilting my modernized farmer's wife quilt.
Missy Shay
I follow you through bloglovin' and fb
[email protected]
Jill
I follow your blog via email. I just purchased the trirec rulers, and this looks like the perfect project to get acquainted with them! Your pillows are beautiful.
Chiska
I follow you with Blogger. Pretty block!
JoanG
I have you on my blog roll and always check in to see what new things you are making. Love the colors in these batiks. Thanks for the chance to win.
Pat Converse
I love those colors! I follow your blog.
Lin's Quilts
I follow you on Bloglovin', but I can't make comments that way. Have to open your blog on Chrome
Marjorie
Bloglovin. And I'm lovin' those fabrics!
Elizabeth
I follow you via email, bloglovin.
Love your patterns always. Beautiful colors in this bundle and great tutorial, as always! Thanks!
Marjorie's Busy Corner
lovely job Connie…great fabric. I follow via GFC
Suzanne McGurk
I get email and then go to your blog from Google, I think. Not real savvy on this. I love your pillow. Colors are so pretty.
Jusmom1
I follow by email AND through Bloglovin! There is NO WAY I want to miss your posts, lol. Thanks for the chance to win!
Dale
I LOVE THOSE COLORS! Thank you for the great fabric giveaway. I follow you on Facebook, and Bloglovin.
Terry Johnson
I love your colors they are so soothing to look at. I follow your blog on Bloglovin. Thank you for being so inspiring.
Maryjo
Beautiful fabric…gorgeous projects!! I love your blog…you are in my Bloglovin so you come to my house quite often:) thank you for all of your ideas and sharing!
Pauline Gudas
I follow you on FB and I am an email subscriber to your newsletter
Design Originals by KC
I follow by GFC and love your blog.. thanks for the chance to win this.. Love the colors and the basket! Kathi
Kay
I love the colours you have used, so pretty. The tutorial is really easy to understand, thank you. I follow on Facebook. x
Lori
Opps , please just add this to the top comment. I follow you via email happily
Lori
Wow your pillows are fantastic. I love the colors together. And as always your FMQ is just wonderful. Thanks for sharing.
Jeanie
Very pretty, Connie! Those fabrics are dreamy. I follow via GFC and Bloglovin. Thanks so much!
Janie
Thanks for all of your tutorials. Love the pillows. I follow via FB.
Debbie
Great tutorial on this block. And the quilting is just fabulous too! Super pillow color combos. I follow via bloglovin now.
Jen Backus
Thanks so much for the tutorial! I follow your blog.
Karen - Quilts...etc.
I follow you on my feedly reader the raffle copter would not let me put anything in it
Deb G. in VA
I follow your blog via bloglovin. I love your pillows!
BillieBee (billiemick)
Great tutorial Connie. Gorgeous fabrics as well.
LindaS
I follow by email. Love these colors! Thanks for the chance!
dragonfly9716 at yahoo dot com
Pat
Love those pillows! They are definitely "my" colors but the back is gorgeous, too. You always do such neat quilting.
I follow you on Bloglovin'.
Julie
I follow by email and Facebook. Thanks and I love the pillows
Dena_LivinH20Quilter
Beautiful! I follow you through bloglovin and Linky Tuesday
Stitchin At Home
I follow your blog via bloglovin. Love the colours.
Beth
I follow you through bloglovin. Love your block!
PugMom
Hi Connie!
I have your blog on my blog roll, so I never miss a post! It's one of my favorites, especially your weekly Linky Party!
Pugs and kisses,
Nancy
Julierose
I follow you on bloglovin, Connie. I love that bundle–so pretty..thanks for the tutorial and chance to win Hugs, Julierose
Christine McCarthy
So so pretty. I follow your blog using Google blogger.
Michele T
Beautiful !!! Love those colours especially, my favourite! I am following you via Bloglovin. Thanks!
Anita
I follow your blog, Connie.
Super duper tutorial, love the colors of those batiks!
Quilter Kathy
You are on my list of daily blog visits and I drop by while I drink my morning coffee. Love these colours!
thebeachyquilter
I found your blog via Island Batik on FB. I am on WordPress blogging about our upcoming move from the mainland to Hawaii…we are so close to making our dream come true! Thanks for the giveaway!
Linda E in AZ
Facebook.
Such lovely colors – makes you want to go for a swim.
thanks!
delaineelliott
I love those pillows! Very pretty. I follow you on Bloglovin. Thanks!
Please click on the delaineelliott above for my email link.
KaHolly
Connie, your batik pillows are stunning! I see a lot of work that went into them. You must have be so very pleased with the finished pillows. Of course I'm a follower!!
Needled Mom
Those fabrics are just gorgeous and your pillows look fabulous. I follow via GFC.
Barb
Wonderful pillows and fabulous fabrics
JoyceLM
Lovely pillow! Thanks for sharing. I'm a follower with Bloglovin'. And thanks for the chance to win.
beaquilter
awesome pillows, LOVE the quilting on there too. (of course don't me in the giveaway)- though I wouldn't mind that basket!?