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Buffalo or Bison quilt block tutorial

Posted on: October 17th, 2017 by Lorna McMahon
Buffalo Bison quilt blocks finish at 8″ or 16″ square making a 17″ or 35″ square mini quilt

Say hello to the buffalo!


Or you can call him Mr. Bison if you prefer.

This quilt block came about following a recent request by someone who had purchased the Forest Friends quilt pattern. They wanted to add a buffalo quilt block into the mix. So I came up with this 8″ block pattern which can be used as an alternate block in either Forest Friends or Forest Friends 2 quilt pattern.

Forest Friends with Buffalo Bison in place of the Bear block



Forest Friends 2 with Buffalo Bison in place of the Bunny Rabbit block






I made an 8″ test block. But have not made the 16″ block myself. So if you do make one and notice any errors in the cutting instructions for that size, please email me so I can make the corrections to this post. Thank you!




Sew Fresh Quilts – Bison/Buffalo block

Read through entire instructions before beginning.  Press seams open as you go. 


STOP: Stitch, Trim, Open & Press. To perform the STOP method, align a square (A) or rectangle (C) on the corner of the unit (B) with right sides facing together. Draw a diagonal line and sew along this diagonal line. Trim a ¼” seam. Finger press the seam open and then press with a hot iron. Press all seams open to reduce bulk.

.
8” block
16” block
Background
A
2 @ 0.75” square
2 @ 1” square
C
4 @ 1” squares
4 @ 1.5” squares
E
2 @ 1”  x 2.5”
2 @ 1.5”  x 4.5”
G
2 @ 1.5” square
2 @ 2.5” square
O
1 @ 1.5” x 6.5”
1 @ 2.5” x 12.5”
M
1 @ 2” square
1 @ 3” square
J
2 @ 2” x 2.5”
2 @ 3.5” x 4.5”
L
2 @ 2” x 4.5”
2 @ 3.5” x 8.5”
Black
A
2 @ 0.75” square
2 @ 1” square
C
2 @ 1” squares
2 @ 1.5” squares
Dark Brown
A
2 @ 0.75” square
2 @ 1” square
B
2 @ 0.75” x 1”
2 @ 1” x 1.5”
C
2 @ 1” squares
2 @ 1.5” squares
D
2 @ 1” x 1.5”
2 @ 1.5” x 2.5”
E
2 @ 1”  x 2.5”
2 @ 1.5”  x 4.5”
G
4 @ 1.5” square
4 @ 2.5” square
H
2 @ 1.5” x 2.5”
2 @ 2.5” x 4.5”
Medium
Brown
H
4 @ 1.5” x 2.5”
4 @ 2.5” x 4.5”
M
1 @ 2” square
1 @ 3” square
N
2 @ 2.5” square
2 @ 4.5” square
P
1 @ 2.5” x 4.5”
1 @ 4.5” x 8.5”
Light Brown
C
2 @ 1” squares
2 @ 1.5” squares
D
4 @ 1” x 1.5”
4 @ 1.5” x 2.5”
H
2 @ 1.5” x 2.5”
2 @ 2.5” x 4.5”
I
2 @ 1.5” x 3.5”
2 @ 2.5” x 6.5”
K
2 @ 2” x 3”
2 @ 3.5” x 5.5”
Step 1:  Use the STOP method to add the Background (C) to the end of the Dark Brown (E). Sew the Background (E) on the side. Use the STOP method to add the Dark Brown (H) and then the Background (G). Make one left and one right facing unit.



Step 2:  Sew the Dark Brown and Black (A) together. Sew the Dark Brown (B) on top then sew the Dark Brown (C) to the side. Use the STOP method to add the Background (A) to the Dark Brown (D). Sew the pieces together. Make one left and one right facing unit.



Step 3:  Align the Background and Medium Brown (M) squares on top of each other. Draw a diagonal guide line, shown in blue. Sew 1/4” on each side of the guide line, shown in red. Cut on guide line. Press seams open. Trim to 1.5” for 8” block OR 2.5” for 16” block.

Step 4:  Use the STOP method to add the Medium Brown (H) to the Light Brown (I). Use the STOP method to add the Background (C). Make one left and one right facing unit.



Step 5:  Sew the Black and Light Brown (C) together. Sew the Light Brown (D) on top and a Light Brown (D) to the side. Use the STOP method to add the Background (J) to the Light Brown (K). Make one left and one right facing unit.



Step 6:  Use the STOP method to add the Medium Brown (H) to the Light Brown (H) and then to add the Dark Brown (G). Make one left and one right facing unit.



Step 7:  Along with the Background (O), Medium Brown (P) and Dark Brown (G), sew the UNIT1’s and UNIT3’s made in the previous steps together to complete the top half of the block.



Step 8:  Along with the Background (L), sew the UNIT2’s, UNIT5’s, UNIT6’s and UNIT4’s made in the previous steps together to complete the two bottom halves of the block. Use the STOP method to add the Dark Brown (N) to each.



Step 9: Sew these two bottom haves together and sew the top half of the block on top. Completed block will measure 8.5” x 8.5” including seam allowances and will finish at 8” x 8”. OR Completed block will measure 16.5” x 16.5” including seam allowances and will finish at 16” x 16”.




Keep On Quilting On!
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14 Responses

  1. frstborn says:
    October 17, 2017 at 11:07 am

    I am usually not a big of an of “cutsy” stuff, but – I looooove this block!!

  2. Little Quiltsong says:
    October 17, 2017 at 11:34 am

    You never cease to amaze me, Lorna! Love how it can be inserted into your other patterns. Wonderful block!

  3. sam says:
    October 17, 2017 at 12:43 pm

    This is just too cute, as are all your patterns. Finishing a Jolly Little Christmas and am loving it. Thank you for sharing your talent.

  4. Linda Swanekamp says:
    October 17, 2017 at 2:11 pm

    Ha, ha- I am from Buffalo, NY but I don't think I am ready to tackle that bison!

  5. works4me says:
    October 17, 2017 at 2:17 pm

    Fabulous block. Thank you for the tutorial.

  6. marebear says:
    October 17, 2017 at 2:25 pm

    You are so clever..and always so generous.

  7. Kerry says:
    October 17, 2017 at 3:03 pm

    Love the buffalo. Your choice of fabric was perfect!

  8. KaHolly says:
    October 17, 2017 at 6:30 pm

    You are amazing!

  9. Paige says:
    October 18, 2017 at 2:11 am

    You've done it again, Lorna! He has such personality! Great job!

  10. Karen says:
    October 18, 2017 at 11:47 pm

    You're the Best! Every one of your posts makes me smile, laugh, and enjoy my day a little more��

  11. Susan says:
    October 19, 2017 at 1:34 am

    This is another cute block. Thanks.

  12. Jeanne Hoerr says:
    October 20, 2017 at 10:35 pm

    What a great block, Lorna! You've rocked it again 🙂 Can't wait to add it to the other forest friends!

  13. Courtney says:
    November 24, 2017 at 2:22 am

    Thank you!!!!

  14. Unknown says:
    May 27, 2018 at 4:29 am

    How can I change this into a 12 inch block?