AQS Block by Block Basics: Turnstile Block sponsored by AccuQuilt

By American Quilter's Society
Jun 17, 2025

Welcome to the AQS Block by Block Basics Series sponsored by AccuQuilt! Each month we'll spend three weeks playing with one block.

Week one, we'll kick things off with hand piecing from templates like the quilters of yesterday.

For week two, we'll use the AccuQuilt Cutting System and machine-piece the blocks with a focus on precision piecing.

Finally, in week three, we'll focus on making the block fabulous with a variety of embellishment techniques.

Be sure to join our AQS Quilting Project Parade Facebook Group to sew along with other quilters, ask questions, and share your progress.

If you missed the first blocks in the series, check them out by clicking the name:

Turnstile Block

12" x 12" finished block size

Week One: Template cutting and hand piecing

Week Two: AccuQuilt cutting and precision machine piecing

Week Three: Embellishment fun

Each month, we'll complete two blocks, one hand pieced and one machine pieced. You can finish one or both of the blocks to make mini quilts or use them in projects. We'll have lots of creative ideas along the way for using your 12" blocks. We'll also offer finishing instructions if you prefer to save all the blocks for a quilt.

This month’s block, Turnstile, features a single unit: the Split Quarter Square Triangle, or Split QST.

“It feels like spring is starting to blow past its prime as June sweeps in on a lark. The original turnstiles gated grazing lands of farms. These days, one most often runs into a modern turnstile slowing the flow of human foot-traffic, like in subways. And looking to the future, the word “turnstile” is now even used in cybersecurity contexts to describe means of database protection. The wheel of time certainly keeps turning, just as the seasons do. I hope slowing down to sew this block brings a smile to your face as it did mine while piecing the patches together. ” -Emily Cross, Ozark Modern Crafting

Week One

Template Options

Follow the steps from our first month (click here to visit the first tutorial) to make the two templates needed for this month's Turnstile block.

You need the following templates:

(1) 6" x 6" square, then subcut it in half diagonally once to get two Half Square Triangles (HST)

Then take one of the 6" HST templates and cut it in half again to create a Quarter Square Triangle.

Then, following the color layout you like, cut patches out as listed below:

A Fabric

(4) Half Square Triangles (HST)

B Fabric

(4) Quarter Square Triangles (QST)

C Fabric

(4) QST

Remember, these are finished sizes and don't include the seam allowances. Be sure to label your templates so it's easy to find the right size when you need it!

Select your fabric, and start tracing. If last month was your first time hand piecing, you'll have a pretty good idea of how much seam allowance you want. We are using wide seams for this block due to some heavier handling the fabric is going through.

If this is your first try, here's some important info you shouldn't miss:

Seam allowances are different for hand piecing. They don't serve as a guide for accuracy, rather, they exist so the fabric doesn't fray too much while you sew. If you're new to hand piecing, give yourself some extra room. You can always trim them down later. DO NOT CUT ON THE DRAWN LINE - it's tempting, but don't do it.

Step one: Select the fabrics for the block. Each “card” can be different colors, some can match or coordinate like two colors and a background. You can do anything you want anytime with your block, that’s the best part!

Step two: Trace the template on the backside of the fabric, leaving enough room between the patches for the seam allowances (a 1/4" or so for each patch is preferred for the seam allowance, but it's not a rule for hand piecing - you'll learn what you like best).

Step three: Cut out the patches, leaving enough fabric outside the drawn line for a seam allowance.

Hand Piecing

Previously, we covered the Quilter's Knot, the Tailor's Lock Stitch, and the End Knot. If you missed it, you can catch up here.

Hand piecing Turnstile uses all the same techniques as you used for the previous blocks to create Half Square Triangles units and Quarter Square Triangle units.

Split Quarter Square Triangle (Split QST) Units

Construction Steps:

1. Sew one quarter square triangle (QST) from Fabric C to one QST from a Fabric B along the short edge to make a half unit.

2. Press the seam open or to one side.

3. Select the assembled QST with an HST from a Fabric A.

4. Place them right sides together, matching long edges.

5. Sew along the long edge with a ¼" seam. Make sure to pass through the seam at intersections.*

6. Press the completed unit flat.

The unit measures 6½” square, unfinished. Repeat to make 4 units.

*Below is a refresher on how to pass through the seam when hand piecing.

Passing Through the Seam

Step one: When you come to a seam, take a back stitch on the marked line, right up to the seam.

Step two: Pass the needle through the seam on the same side you are stitching from, above the seam's stitches. If you pass the needle below the seam's stitches, your stitch will show on the front of your block.

Step three: Once on the other side of the seam, take a stitch forward and then backstitch over this stitch to continue.

Piecing Turnstile Block

Arrange the units as shown above and sew two units into a pair. Repeat to make two pairs. Make sure to pass through the seam at intersections.

Sew the pairs together into the block.

Turnstile block measures 12½” square, unfinished.

Week Two

Welcome to week two of the AQS Block by Block Basics Series sponsored by AccuQuilt! For week two, we'll use the AccuQuilt Cutting GO! to die cut the fabric, and then we’ll machine piece the blocks with a focus on precision piecing.

Be sure to join our AQS Quilting Project Parade Facebook Group to sew along with other quilters, ask questions, and share your progress.

Download the free 12" Turnstile block pattern from AccuQuilt here.

Cutting with the AccuQuilt GO!

“Turnstile is one of my favorite variations of a pinwheel block. Made up of a single unit, the Split Quarter Square Triangle, repeated four times, its simplicity can mask the wide range of design choices it offers. The trio of fabrics invite playing with various color combinations, values, and even scales of print. It was a great joy to breeze through cutting these patches with the AccuQuilt system so I could get right to quiltmaking.” - Emily Cross, Ozark Modern Crafting

Supplies for Cutting with the AccuQuilt GO!

Download the free Turnstile block pattern from AccuQuilt here.

Small scissors to cut threads, if needed

Dies Used:

GO! Flying Geese -3½” x 6½” (3” x 6” Finished) (55006)*

GO! Half Square Triangle-6” Finished Square (55001)

*Used for Quarter Square Triangles

Fabric:

Fabric A—1⁄4 yard
Fabric B—1⁄4 yard
Fabric C—1⁄4 yard

If you want a scrappy assortment, make sure your pieces are 8” x 8” for Fabric A, and 7” x 4” for Fabric B and C.

If you need a refresh on the cutting process using the AccuQuilt Cutting System, visit our tutorial here.

To make a block, cut out:

Fabric A - (4) Half Square Triangles

Fabric B - (4) Quarter Square Triangles, using the Flying Geese die

Fabric C - (4) Quarter Square Triangles, using the Flying Geese die

Machine Piecing

Machine piecing is rich with a variety of techniques and tricks for assembly. If you have any trouble figuring it out or have questions, visit the AQS Quilting Project Parade Group on Facebook. We'll be happy to show you how.

Machine Piecing Supplies

Download the free Turnstile block pattern from AccuQuilt here.

Sewing machine
Thread
Scissors
Fabric

Split Quarter Square Triangle (Split QST) Units

Construction Steps:

Sew one quarter square triangle (QST) from Fabric B to one QST from Fabric C along the short edge to make a half unit.
Press the seam open or to one side.
Select the assembled QST with an HST from Fabric A.
Place them right sides together, matching long edges.
Sew along the long edge with a ¼" seam.
Press the completed unit flat.

Unit measures 6 ½” x 6 ½” unfinished. Repeat to make 4 Split QST units.

Block Assembly

Lay out the block using the Split QST units, arranged as shown above.

Sew Units into pairs: Sew each pair of units together with ¼" seams. Press pair seams in alternating directions for nesting.

Join the pairs: Layer the pairs right sides together and sew with a ¼" seam. Press final seams open or to one side. The block should measure 12 ½" unfinished (12" finished size).

Check back next week for a tutorial on prairie points and a fun block variation using the technique!

Week Three

Welcome to week three of making the Turnstile block as part of the AQS Block by Block Basics Series sponsored by AccuQuilt! For week three, we're exploring the third dimension with prairie points.

In the months ahead, we'll explore many techniques, including some for various finishing options. Have fun combining and building upon each month's embellishment techniques as it goes.

Be sure to join our AQS Quilting Project Parade Facebook Group to sew along with other quilters, ask questions, and share your progress.

Prairie Point Turnstile

The first Saturday of June is one of my favorite holidays: National Prairie Day. The prairies around my home in the Ozarks are ablaze with flowers right now and my recent visits to enjoy the beauty inspired this version of Turnstile. I’m so grateful to the conservationists and nature lovers who work to protect prairie habitats and this prairie point embellishment is my ode to their labor of love. - Emily Cross, Ozark Modern Crafting

Supplies

Fabric for Block Pieces

Fabric for Prairie Points

Iron & Ironing Board

Pins and/or Sewing Clips (recommended)

Spray Starch (optional)

Instructions

Cutting Prairie Points

We’re going to make a Turnstile block just like weeks one and two, but this time, we need four more squares of fabric to create prairie points for the center QST pinwheel. And this is an easy embellishment to add in a variety of sizes, owing to its simple formula.

Cut 4 squares the same size as the unfinished size of the Split QST.

The 12” finished Turnstile we made in weeks one and two have an unfinished unit size of 6 ½” square, so cut the prairie points the same size. I’m making a variation of the block that uses 3 ½” unfinished Split QST, so I cut my prairie points 3 ½” square.

Pressing Prairie Points

Prepare the prairie points before beginning to sew. At the ironing board, place a square wrong side up. Spray with starch if a stiff prairie point is desired.

Fold the square in half diagonally. Then fold it in half diagonally once more. Press in a downward motion, without sliding the iron across the fabric.

Repeat to make 4 prairie points.

Sewing the Block

Follow instructions either for week one or week two to make 4 Split QST units.

Arrange the units into the block layout and lay the prairie points over the center pinwheel QST.

The raw edges of the prairie points will be caught in the seam allowance as the units are assembled into the block.

Note: Above, you can more easily see the hidden symmetry that happens when you place the folds of the prairie points with the same orientation to the unit. I made sure the single-fold side aligned to the yellow print QST and the double-folded side aligned to the blue HST. While this symmetry is not essential to making a great block, it’s a satisfying sight for those who enjoy it. - Emily

Layer a pair of Split QST units with a single prairie point, right sides together, and sew a ¼” seam. Press towards the HST.

Repeat to make two pairs of Split QST with a prairie point.

Now, pin or clip the remaining prairie points to the pairs and layer them all right sides together. Sew a ¼” seam.

If the center gives you trouble, try sewing just the center first and checking it before finishing the seam.

I’m excited to play around with adding hidden surprises under the prairie points during quilting. And as promised, below is the finished variation I created using the 4-Block variation of the Turnstile block using the 6” block instructions from AccuQuilt! -Emily