Traditional pattern, public domain. One of the most enduring American quilt patterns, documented from the 1870s onward.
A graceful quarter-circle fan block composed of wedge-shaped 'blades' radiating from one corner, with an inner quarter-circle and an outer background curve. This beloved applique block combines piecing (for the fan blades) with curved applique techniques.
Grandmother's Fan emerged in the 1870s-1880s during the Victorian crazy quilt era when fans were fashionable accessories and decorative motifs. The pattern likely evolved from the decorative hand fans that were essential accessories for women. It was widely published in every major pattern catalog and newspaper column from the 1890s through the present day.
Fans held special significance in Victorian culture — they were tools of communication, fashion statements, and symbols of femininity. The quilt block captured this cultural importance. Grandmother's Fan became one of the most-made patterns in quilting history, often constructed from scraps of meaningful fabrics — dress remnants, shirt pieces, and special occasion fabrics — making each fan a textile memory album.
Also known as: Fan, Fancy Fan, Grandmother's Fan Quilt, Dresden Fan (when more blades are used)
finished Block Size
12 inches
seam Allowance
1/4 inch
grid Basis
Quarter-circle fan in one corner of a square block
units Required
5-7 fan blade wedges, 1 inner quarter-circle (hub), 1 background square
All measurements include 1/4" seam allowance unless noted.
| Piece | Fabric | Cut Size | Qty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | Assorted scraps | Template wedge + 1/4 inch seam allowance | 6 | Fan blades — use template; each blade is approximately 2 1/2 inches wide at outer edge, tapering to 1 inch at inner curve |
| B | Hub fabric (deep pink) | Quarter-circle template + 1/4 inch seam allowance | 1 | Inner hub — approximately 3 1/2 inch radius quarter-circle |
| C | Background | 12 1/2 x 12 1/2 inches | 1 | Background square |
Create a fan blade template: draw a quarter-circle with a 12-inch radius (outer edge) and a 3 1/2-inch radius (inner edge). Divide the quarter-circle into 6 equal wedges (15 degrees each). Add 1/4 inch seam allowance to all edges of one wedge for your cutting template. Create a quarter-circle hub template with a 3 1/2-inch radius plus seam allowance.
Tip: Freezer paper templates can be ironed directly onto fabric for precise cutting. Plastic templates are reusable for multiple blocks.
Cut 6 fan blade wedges from assorted fabrics using the template. Arrange them in a pleasing color order. Sew the blades together along their long edges with 1/4 inch seams, working from the narrow (hub) end to the wide (outer) end. Press all seams in one direction (toward the last blade). The assembled fan unit should form a quarter-circle.
Tip: Pin at the narrow end first to prevent the wedges from shifting — the narrow end is the most critical alignment point.
Turn under the 1/4 inch seam allowance on the inner curve of the fan blades (the concave curve where the hub will cover). Turn under the seam allowance on the outer curve of the fan (the convex curve that will applique onto the background). Also turn under the seam allowance on the curved edge of the hub piece. Use a fabric glue stick or hand-basting to hold the turned edges.
Tip: For smooth curves, clip the concave inner seam allowance every 1/4 inch — do not clip the convex outer curve.
Position the fan unit on the background square with the fan pivot point at one corner. Pin securely. Using needleturn applique or your preferred method, stitch the outer curved edge of the fan to the background with small, invisible stitches. Then position the hub quarter-circle over the inner curve of the fan, covering the raw edges. Applique the hub's curved edge through all layers.
Press gently from the back. Trim the background square to 12 1/2 inches if needed, ensuring the fan pivot point is precisely at the corner. Optionally, trim away the background fabric behind the fan from the back, leaving 1/4 inch, to reduce bulk.
Use a 12 1/2 inch square ruler to ensure the block is perfectly square, with the fan hub centered in the corner. The block is ready for setting.
See how this traditional pattern looks in different color combinations.
All fans pointing to the same corner — 4x5 blocks for a 48 x 60 inch quilt with cascading fan arcs
Fans alternating corners to create full-circle secondary patterns where four blocks meet
Four blocks with fans meeting at center to form a full circle — as a pillow or wall hanging