Courthouse Steps Foundation Paper Piecing Pattern

Free to print · Confident beginner · 21 pieces · 1 section · 12″ block

Pattern diagram in the suggested fabrics. Every line is a seam.

A red center square with logs added in pairs on opposite sides: creams and peach above and below, blues and teals to the left and right, five rounds out to the edge.

Open and print this pattern

Opens in the free FPP tool. Pick your fabrics and block size, then print or download the PDF. No account needed.

Finished size: 12″ × 12″
Prints at: 4 to 18″
Pieces: 21
Sections: 1
Smallest piece: about 2.0 sq in at 12″
Fabrics: 11
Skill level: Confident beginner
Price: Free, no sign-up
Using it: Use it for anything you sew, including quilts you sell. Please don't resell or repost the pattern itself; share a link to this page instead.

About this pattern

The Courthouse Steps is a free foundation paper piecing (FPP) pattern from NiftyFifty: a 12-inch square block of 21 pieces sewn in 1 section, using 11 fabrics, at a confident beginner skill level. It opens in NiftyFifty's free browser-based FPP tool, which prints mirrored foundations with 1/4-inch seam allowance at 4 to 18 inches. Every seam is a straight line, so the whole block is sewn with the flip-and-sew method.

Piece map

Letters are sections, numbers are sewing order. Dashed lines outline each section's foundation.

How to sew it

Open and printOpen the pattern in the free FPP tool, pick your fabrics and a block size (4 to 18 inches), and print or download the PDF. Print at 100% and check the 1-inch test square.
Cut the foundations apartCut each section's foundation apart just outside its dashed line. The dashed line is the 1/4-inch seam allowance.
Sew each section in number orderSew the block on the foundation, piece 1 first, then 2, 3 and on. Flip, press and trim the seam to 1/4 inch after each one. When a section is done, trim it on its dashed line.
Finish the blockPress, check that the block measures 12.5 inches square with seam allowance (12 inches finished), then tear the paper away.

Fabrics

Cornflower17% of the block, 2 pieces
Snow White14% of the block, 2 pieces
Slate14% of the block, 2 pieces
Indigo11% of the block, 2 pieces
Muslin11% of the block, 2 pieces
Peach8% of the block, 2 pieces
Teal8% of the block, 2 pieces
Navy6% of the block, 2 pieces
Parchment6% of the block, 2 pieces
Butter3% of the block, 2 pieces
Ruby3% of the block, 1 piece

Suggested colors. The printed pattern lists rough-cut sizes for whatever fabrics you choose.

Choosing a block size

Smaller blocks mean smaller pieces. Under about half a square inch, pieces get fiddly, so this one is most comfortable at 6″ and up.

Finished block	Smallest piece
6″ × 6″	about 0.5 sq in
8″ × 8″	about 0.9 sq in
10″ × 10″	about 1.4 sq in
12″ × 12″ (as drafted)	about 2.0 sq in
16″ × 16″	about 3.6 sq in

A sewing tip for this block

Sew both logs of a round before you move on, top and bottom first, then the two sides. Keep every light clearly lighter than every dark, or the steps blur together.

What to make with it

Set several blocks side by side and the light and dark logs line up into stacked steps across a table runner or baby quilt. It's a log cabin variation, so it fits right into a log cabin sampler.

Try it in other colors

Try browns and rusts for the sides with creams above and below and a gold center, for a cozy cabin look. Every fabric can be swapped in the FPP tool before you print.

Make it yours: every pattern is a starting point

These patterns are free and open to change. Think of each one as a starting point, not a finished rule: remix it into your colors, your size, your idea.

1Open itEvery pattern opens in the free FPP tool, no account needed.
2Change anythingSwap fabrics, change the size, move or add seams. The sewing order and sections update on their own.
3Save it as yoursSave your version to a free account and share it. Other quilters can then remix yours, credited to you.

Open and remix this pattern

Questions

What can I make with the Courthouse Steps block?

Set several blocks side by side and the light and dark logs line up into stacked steps across a table runner or baby quilt. It's a log cabin variation, so it fits right into a log cabin sampler.

Is this courthouse steps FPP pattern free?

Yes. The Courthouse Steps pattern is free to open, recolor and print, and you don't need an account. It opens in NiftyFifty's free FPP tool, which prints the foundations or downloads them as a PDF.

Is the Courthouse Steps block good for beginners?

It's a good second or third block: 21 pieces in 1 section. If it's your very first, print it at a larger size so the pieces are roomier.

How many pieces and sections does the Courthouse Steps block have?

21 pieces in 1 section, using 11 fabrics. Each section is sewn on its own foundation, then the sections are joined along straight seams. The printed pattern numbers every piece in sewing order.

What size does it print?

It's drafted as a 12-inch finished block, and you can print it at 4 to 18 inches. At 12 inches the smallest piece is about 2.0 square inches; at 6 inches it's about 0.5 square inches.

Can I sell quilts I make from the Courthouse Steps pattern?

Yes. Use it for anything you sew, including quilts you sell. Please don't resell or repost the pattern itself; share a link to this page instead.

Is there a PDF of the courthouse steps pattern?

Yes. The FPP tool downloads a PDF with a 1-inch test square, a color key, an assembly map, the sewing order and every foundation drawn at exact size with 1/4-inch seam allowance. Print it at 100%.

Can I change the colors?

Yes. Open it in the FPP tool, click a piece, then click a fabric: over 600 real Kona and Bella solids plus thousands of prints. You can also move seams or add new ones before you print.

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