The Carpenter's Wheel Quilt Block

In this video, Bob Benson demonstrates how to make the Carpenter’s Wheel quilt block, a viewer-requested design that looks complex but is made entirely from 2-inch half square triangles. He explains how to plan the layout, calculate fabric combinations, and focus on constructing one quarter of the block at a time before rotating and joining them to complete the full design. Bob emphasizes that while the Carpenter’s Wheel may seem challenging at first, breaking it down into smaller sections makes it both approachable and rewarding to create.

Hi everyone, I’m Bob Benson, and today I’m going to show you how to make the beautiful Carpenter’s Wheel quilt block. This one was requested by a viewer, Gerald Lew Lewig, who asked me to demonstrate it. It’s such a striking block, and while it looks complicated, it’s really just a collection of smaller, manageable pieces.

Before we get started, let me give you some measurements. The half square triangles I used in this block finish at 2 inches each. They’re small, but that’s what makes the intricate design work so well. Because there are a lot of pieces involved, I like to plan things out on paper first. Sometimes I’ll sketch the design, label the colors, and write down exactly how many half square triangles I’ll need for each combination.

For this block, I used red as the dark fabric, blue as the light, and white as the neutral background. Here’s what you’ll need:

16 solid white half square triangles

16 red and white half square triangles

16 blue and white half square triangles

20 red and blue half square triangles

It sounds like a lot, but we make half square triangles all the time, so it’s nothing new. Planning and counting just make the assembly smoother.

Now, when you start putting it together, the layout might seem a little overwhelming at first. But don’t worry—once you break it down, it’s very doable. We’re only going to focus on making one quarter of the Carpenter’s Wheel. If you can make one, you can make all four.

Each quarter is made up of 16 half square triangles. Lay them out in the correct order before sewing, and take a screenshot or photo of your layout to use as a reference. When I made mine the first time, I kept checking my drawing, making sure everything lined up properly. Once you get the hang of the layout, it all comes together beautifully.

Here’s what one finished quarter looks like. To complete the block, make four of these and rotate each one as you assemble them. Start with one in the upper left corner, then rotate the next section so the design continues seamlessly. Repeat the rotation for the remaining two sections. When everything is joined together correctly, you’ll have the full Carpenter’s Wheel design.

It’s a bit of a puzzle at first, but the end result is worth it. This block is stunning and full of dimension once it’s complete. I hope you’ll give the Carpenter’s Wheel quilt block a try.

Happy sewing!