Turning a Quilt Block into a Dress - Wayfinder Block Tutorial
Sometimes a quilt block leads you somewhere unexpected
This time, a block I designed as a guest designer for April’s Sweet Potato Quilt Club ended up becoming a dress. The block is called Wayfinder, and while I was sewing my sample, I kept thinking how fun it would be to turn it into something wearable. With a few borders and a little experimenting, that one block became the center of a dress panel.
If you're curious about the club or want to join the fun, you can learn more about the Sweet Potato Quilt Club HERE.
Starting with the Wayfinder Block
I began with the Wayfinder block from the April Sweet Potato Quilt Club. The block is 18" square, a nice size on its own, but to turn it into a dress panel, I wanted to make it a little larger.The first step was adding a scrappy frame around the block using (28) 3.5" squares. This is the perfect moment to dig into your scrap bin and mix prints that play nicely together.
For the scrappy border, you will need:
(6) 3.5" squares for each side border strip
(8) 3.5" squares for the top border strip
(8) 3.5" squares for the bottom border strip
Sew the squares together to create the four border strips, then attach them around the block to form the scrappy frame. I like to lay all the squares out first and move pieces around until the colors feel balanced. It’s a small detail, but it really helps the border feel cohesive while still keeping that scrappy charm.
Adding the Borders
Once the scrappy squares were in place, I added simple border strips to help bring the panel to the size I needed for the dress. You will need: (2) 3.5" x 24.5" side border strips and (2) 3.5" x 30.5" border strips for top and bottom. At this point, the quilt block starts to feel more like a panel rather than just a block, which makes it perfect for incorporating into a garment.
Because I was making a dress, I actually made two identical panels. One became the front of the dress and the other the back, which helps keep the design balanced and gives the dress that patchwork detail from both sides.
One thing I really love about this approach is how flexible it is. If you’re using a different dress pattern or want a slightly different fit, you can simply adjust the borders. Add wider strips, narrower strips, or even another round of patchwork until the panel reaches the size you need.
Turning the Panels Into a Dress
Once the two panels were finished, I used them as the front and back pieces of the dress and built the rest of the garment around them. The quilt panels become the focal point, while the side pieces help shape the dress and give it a comfortable fit. For the top portion, I kept things simple and added a fitted bodice with soft, puffy sleeves, which gives the dress a light, playful feel while letting the patchwork panels stay center stage.
It’s a fun way to blend quilting and garment sewing in one project.
A Little Fabric Magic
Quilt blocks don’t always have to stay in a quilt. Sometimes they become pillows, bags, or wall hangings… and sometimes they turn into something you can wear. There’s something really special about taking a block that started on the cutting table and giving it a completely different life. This one just happened to become a dress… and I have to say, it might be one of my favorite ways to wear patchwork.
Final Thoughts
If you ever make a quilt block you love and wonder what else it could become, try adding a few borders and see where it takes you. You might be surprised what a quilt block can turn into.
Happy Sewing!
You might also like…
What’s happening on the ‘Gram …
