Today I’m posting about one of my most popular tutorial for a straightforward way to make tumbling blocks using strips sewn together.
The tumbling block technique I demonstrate on the video was developed by Marci Baker and her book ABC 3-D tumbling blocks and more has written directions for it as well as 16 projects.
There’s not one single Y seam with this technique! Yay!
So let’s learn how to make easy tumbling blocks or baby blocks with no Y seams in less than 3 minutes!
Tumbling block size
Each individual tumbling block size is about 4 1/2 x 3 7/8 inches.
Materials
Piece 1
- One 3 inch strip x width of fabric (WOF) in cream/white
- Two 2 1/2 inch strip x WOF in dark red or any other dark colour
Piece 2
- One 3 inch strip x width of fabric (WOF) in cream/white
- Two 2 1/2 inch strip x WOF in yellow or any other medium colour
You will need a 60 degree ruler or a square ruler with a 60 degree marking. You can download my paper ruler/template to test this technique beforehand.
Or if your ruler has 60 degree lines you can use those to cut at 60 degrees.
And here is the explanation by its creator Marci Baker.

Step by step visual

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Love your tutorials
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Simply amazing!! I enjoy all of your tutorials.
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Too fast for me…but interested.
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Looks like I’m arriving at the Tumbling Blocks party 6 years late. I loved them both.
Carolyn in Central Oregon, USA (GMT -8) Age 81.
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I love this pattern, and bought the book. However, I am not finding on either the video or in the book how to finish the quilt. Do you simply cut the ends? Is there something to do to straighten up the ends?
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Are you referring to this book https://amzn.to/3RTR7JC ? It has 16 patterns and you’ll find there how to finish the quilt. Otherwise just square the quilt which is what I did with sample piece on the video.
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Merry Christmas to you Pam and all the best for 2024.
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It will be my first. I want to know what is the width of the strips.
I follow you for a long time and I want to try.
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All the details are on the video and on the post above.
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