Traditional pattern, public domain. One of the earliest American quilt block names, documented from the early 1800s.
A member of the Churn Dash family with a distinctive center square 'hole' surrounded by rectangle pairs and half-square triangle corners. The block's strong geometric lines evoke the rustic simplicity of a barn door.
Hole in the Barn Door is one of the oldest named quilt patterns in America, dating to the early 1800s. It is essentially the same construction as the Churn Dash but with a different color placement that emphasizes the center 'opening.' The pattern was common in agrarian communities throughout the eastern and central United States.
Barn imagery was deeply familiar to rural American quilters. The 'hole' in the barn door could refer to a window, a knothole, or simply the visual effect of the center square contrasting with the surrounding structure. This block was often one of the first intermediate-level patterns taught to quilters who had mastered basic nine-patch construction.
Also known as: Lincoln's Platform, Puss in the Corner, Sherman's March
finished Block Size
12 inches
seam Allowance
1/4 inch
grid Basis
3x3 grid (each unit 4 inches finished)
units Required
4 HST corner units, 4 rectangle-pair side units, 1 center square
All measurements include 1/4" seam allowance unless noted.
| Piece | Fabric | Cut Size | Qty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | Dark | 4 7/8 x 4 7/8 inches | 2 | Cut once diagonally for 4 corner HST triangles |
| A | Background | 4 7/8 x 4 7/8 inches | 2 | Cut once diagonally for 4 corner HST triangles |
| B | Dark | 2 1/2 x 4 1/2 inches | 4 | Side rectangles (dark half) |
| B | Light | 2 1/2 x 4 1/2 inches | 4 | Side rectangles (light half) |
| C | Light | 4 1/2 x 4 1/2 inches | 1 | Center square — the 'hole' |
Pair each dark triangle with a background triangle. Sew along the long edge with a 1/4 inch seam. Press toward the dark fabric and trim to 4 1/2 inches square. Make 4 HST units.
Tip: Chain-piece all four HSTs at once to save time and thread.
Sew one dark 2 1/2 x 4 1/2 inch rectangle to one light 2 1/2 x 4 1/2 inch rectangle along the long edge. Press toward the dark. The unit should measure 4 1/2 inches square. Make 4 rectangle units.
Lay out in a 3x3 grid: HST units in all four corners (dark triangles pointing toward center), rectangle units on all four sides (dark halves oriented consistently — all toward the center or all toward the outside), and the light center square in the middle.
Sew each row of 3 units together. Press seams in Rows 1 and 3 toward the HST corners, and Row 2 seams toward the center square.
Pin and sew the rows together, nesting seams at all intersections. Press joining seams toward the center. Block should measure 12 1/2 inches square.
See how this traditional pattern looks in different color combinations.
Straight set, no sashing — 5x6 blocks for a 60 x 72 inch quilt with interlocking chains
With 3-inch sashing in barn red to create a window-pane effect
Alternating with nine-patch blocks for a traditional sampler look