The Sugar & Spice Quilt Pattern
The Sugar & Spice quilt pattern is here! This is a traditional quilt block called by many different names. You can find similar looking blocks under the names Three and Six, Old Maid’s Puzzle, Double X, Cat’s Cradle, and Kindergarten block. And, today, as well as throughout history, quilter’s make a block their own in many different ways. You’ll find quilts with the block turned in all directions, sashed, bordered, and often using various background fabrics. If you’re interested in seeing some of the traditional layouts of this block in antique quilts, search ‘Three and Six’, and quilts with all of these names show up in the search results. I also mocked up one traditional layout of the quilt to show you (below, right).
I originally made this quilt for my niece, Ella. I saw a beautiful vintage quilt on Hannah’s @stitchedandfound Instagram feed while I was looking for inspiration, and knew it was the one. Although it was clearly a popular and well known traditional quilt block, I couldn’t find instructions that fit what I was looking for. And so, I drew up my own plan, laid the blocks out how I liked them, and made a baby quilt. Here we are – almost a year later, and I’m ready to share my version with you!
Ella’s quilt is titled ‘Sugar & Spice’ for a few reasons. The nursery rhyme claims that little girls are made of “sugar and spice and everything nice”, but this quilt takes a sweet and pretty color palate and mixes it with the sharp triangle points. I loved the contrast of the fabric and block style and the contrast of sugar and spice seemed to fit. And, as there was no consensus on the name of this block, I figured one more wouldn’t hurt.
My version of the traditional quilt block uses a combination of traditional piecing and foundation paper piecing. I much prefer the precision of paper piecing when it comes to triangles and bias edges. With this method of assembling the block, your points should be crisp and pretty without a lot of stress.
The Sugar & Spice quilt pattern has instructions for an 8” block and a 12” block. It also includes fabric requirements and cutting instructions for a bonus traditional two color quilt.
Want to make your own? Sign up for the newsletter (and be the first to know about new tutorials, patterns, quilt along - and even exclusive sales) to get your Sugar & Spice quilt pattern download.
Pattern testers are key to making a quilt pattern the best it can be. I had some amazing quilters that tested out both block sizes for you. Check out some of their work in the gallery. Clicking on a photo will take you to the quilter’s IG feed to see more of their beautiful makes. You can also visit #sugarandspicequilt to see more of this quilt pattern, and share your own as well! You can tag me @megancollins_a to get my attention- I love seeing what you make!
