Scottie Dog Quilt Block Pattern Tutorial

The Scottie dog quilt block is simple to make - use strips. Quickly cut the pieces to make this traditional patchwork block pattern. And, it's free!

Scottie Dog Quilt Block

Ruff, ruff... The Scottie dog block is very graphic. It has a modern feel when made using one fabric color so as not to reveal a collar.  It's easy to make and great for beginners!

There are three half square triangles (HSTs), one 3-patch, or split, quarter square triangle (QST) and a number of plain squares and rectangles.

Block Size Cutting Chart

12 Inch Scottie Dog Quilt Block

Scraps can be used to make this block, however I chose to cut strips from yardage. Making the half square triangles  (HSTs) and the quarter square triangle (QST) took took less time using strips. This is especially true if making a lot of blocks for a quilt.

You will need half square triangle ruler and a quarter square triangle ruler.

Fabric X (mottled black): Scottie

Cut 1 (8 1/2 inch x WOF) strip:

• subcut 1 (8 1/2 x 6 1/2 inch) rectangle
• subcut 1 (3 1/4 x 8 1/2 inch) rectangle; then subcut 1 (3 1/4 inch) square

Cut 1 (2 1/2 inch x WOF) strip:

• pair with 1 1/2 inch Fabric Y strip and use to cut 3 HSTs; then subcut 5 (2 1/2 inch) squares

Cut 1 (1 1/2 inch x WOF, or at least x 4 inch) strip:

• pair with 1 1/2 inch Fabric Y strip and use QST ruler to cut 1 (1 1/2 inch) QST

Fabric Y (light gray): background

Cut 1 (4 1/2 inch x WOF) strip:

• subcut 1 (8 1/2 x 4 1/2 inch) rectangle
  
• subcut 1 (6 1/2 x 4 1/2 inch) rectangle
• subcut 1 (4 1/2 x 2 1/2 inch) rectangle

Cut 1 (2 1/2 inch x WOF) strip:

• pair with 2 1/2 inch Fabric X strip and use HST ruler to subcut 3 HSTs; then subcut 1 (2 1/2 inch) square

Cut 1 (1 1/2 inch x WOF, or at least x 4 inch) strip:

• pair with 1 1/2 inch Fabric X strip and use QST ruler to cut 1 (1 1/2 inch) QST

Scottie Dog Quilt Block Pattern Instructions

WOF= Width Of Fabric
Unless otherwise noted seams are 1/4 inch.

You will need half square triangle ruler and a quarter square triangle ruler.
Refer to the above Block Size Cutting Chart.

Step 1 From the Fabric X (mottled black) strip cut and subcut the large rectangle and squares as noted in the Block Size Cutting Chart above.

Step 2 From the Fabric Y (light gray) strip cut and subcut the rectangles and square as noted in the Block Size Cutting Chart above.

Step 3  With right sides together, pair the 2 1/2 inch strips cut from Fabrics X and Y  and use a half square triangle ruler to cut three HSTs. Stitch the HSTs. Press the seams open.

Step 4a With right sides together, pair the 1 1/2 inch strips cut from Fabrics X and Y. Use a quarter square triangle ruler to  cut one QST. We are making a 2 inch finished size (2 1/2 inch unfinished size)  3–patch QST unit.

Step 4b Make a 3-patch quarter square triangle. Follow the photo below from top to bottom. 

• With Fabric X on top, stitch the single QSTs together.
• Flip Fabric X right side up and press the seam open. Trim the dog ears.
• On the diagonal, cut the 3 1/4 inch square (Fabric X) in half, making two single HSTs.
• With right sides together, place the QST on top of one of the single  HSTs and stitch.

Note: if you prefer to use squares instead of a QST ruler, use this tutorial to make the 3-patch quarter square triangle using squares. You will need 2 (3 1/2 inch) starting squares (one each from Fabrics X and Y)  to make 2 inch finished size split QSTs.

Step 4c Trim the 3-patch quarter square triangle. Trim to size - 2 1/2 inches - the larger single HST portion using the QST portion as your guide. For detailed instructions on how to trim QSTs, in the note above click the link for making 3-patch QSTs from squares.

Step 5 Make the neck and tail unit. On two of the 2 1/2 inch squares mark a diagonal line from one corner to corner. With right sides together, align a square in each bottom corner of the 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 inch rectangle.

• Align the left 2 1/2 inch square so that the marked line faces like a \ (backslash).
• Align the right 2 1/2 inch square so that the marked line faces like a / (forward slash).

In turn, stitch each corner one or two thread widths south of the marked line. Trim each corner 1/4 inch from the seam line. Press seams away from the background fabric (toward Fabric X). (This is the stitch and flip quilting technique).

Now that all of the multi-patch units are made it's time to put the Scottie dog quilt block together. Yay!

Step 6 Follow along with the assembly diagram below to put the Scottie dog quilt block together.

• A1: Layout the Scottie dog quilt block pieces as shown.
• B2: Stitch together the patches/units in head rows. Row 1: Press seam to right. Row 2: Press seam to left. Row 3: Press seam to right.
• B3: Stitch together patches to make the feet. Press seams away from center.

Scottie dog quilt block assembly diagram

• C4: Stitch together the rows to make the head. Press seams open.
• D5: Stitch the head unit to the background. Press seam toward background.
• D6: Stitch the neck/tail unit to the body. Press seam toward body.
• D7: Stitch the feet to the body. Press seam toward body.
• D8: Stitch the head section to the body section. Press seam toward body.

Completed Scottie dog Quilt block pattern!

To make a Scottie dog that faces to the right use this Right Facing Scottie Dog Quilt Block Assembly Diagram.

And here's a right facing Scottie dog quilt block.

Scottie Dog Quilt Pattern Idea

Here's what the 12 inch Scottie dog quilt block would look like in a quilt alternated with 12 inch plain squares. Scottie faces left in odd-numbered rows and right in even-numbered rows.

The quilt design is 84 x 96 inches. It simply alternates the Scottie dog quilt blocks with plain squares. There are 21 Scottie quilt blocks, 12 facing left and 9 facing right, and 21 plain squares. The borders are 6 inches wide.

This version of the Scottie dog quilt pattern has a modern feel. The design is very  graphic and minimal.

Want it scrappy? Change the color of each Scottie block. Dogs in the Scottie breed are also white or gray.

This Scottie quilt block pattern idea would take a bit of time to make the blocks, but the quilt pattern is very easy for beginners to complete!