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Quilt-Along: Twisted Cats Block of the Month 6 | 2026
Easy |
Quick Links: What you'll need Project steps
This is the largest block in the quilt, and it looks complicated, but like many of the blocks it is made by first creating smaller units and then joining them together.
This is a pieced block made up from nine 8½in (21.5cm) squares which, once created, are sewn together in a 9-patch format of 3 x 3 squares (the technique we all learnt at the beginning of our patchwork journey of stitching 9 squares of the same size together).
The centre square is a version of version of Snail’s Trail which we previously made in the 2024 BOTM, however with four different fabrics intertwining in this version, correct colour placement is key, so follow the steps carefully. The 9-patch centre section has pieced corners, and we’ve added a contrast border either side, with a pesky mouse trying to escape! If you’re a cat lover, the complete block on its own would make a lovely wall hanging.Tip
When sewing along diagonals, if you stitch a thread’s width (or two) inside the diagonal line towards the outer edges, this will enable your folded-back half square triangle to fit precisely into the corner.By making this block, you'll have:
- Completed a 4-patch checkerboard (at the very centre).
- Worked with bias edges.
- Learnt machine raw-edge appliqué using fusible webbing (Bondaweb).
Unfinished block size: 36½ x 24½in (92.75 x 62.25cm)
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You will need:
Equipment
- Sewing machine
- Rotary cutter
- Quilting ruler
- Quilting mat
- Scissors
- Optional: spray starch to help prevent the bias edges from stretching
- Fusible webbing such as Bondaweb
- Scraps of black felt for the mouse’s eyes
- Small piece of baking parchment
- Black thread for the mouse’s whiskers and thread for joining your fabrics
- Mouse template
Materials
Fabrics (see my Introduction to the 2026 Block of the Month). From these, you will need to cut:
- One 8½ x 5½in (21.5 x 14cm) rectangle in each of Fab E, Fab D, Fab H and Fab I for the cat units
- One 4½ x 2½in (11.5 x 6.5cm) strip in each of Fab E, Fab D, Fab H and Fab I for the cat units
- Three 1½in (4cm) squares in each of Fab E, Fab D, Fab H and Fab I for the cat and Snail’s Trail units
- One 2¼in (5.75cm) square in each of Fab E, Fab D, Fab H and Fab I for the Snail’s Trail unit – cut once diagonally and discard one triangle
- One 2⅞in (7.25cm) square in each of Fab E, Fab D, Fab H and Fab I for the Snail’s Trail unit – cut once diagonally and discard one triangle
- One 3¾in (9.5cm) square in each of Fab E, Fab D, Fab H and Fab I for the Snail’s Trail unit – cut once diagonally and discard one triangle
- One 4⅞in (12.5cm) square in each of Fab E, Fab D, Fab H and Fab I for the Snail’s Trail unit – cut once diagonally and discard one triangle
- Four 4½ x 2½in (11.5 x 6.5cm) strips in Fab E for the corner units
- Four 8½ x 2½in (21.75 x 6.5cm) strips in Fab I for the corner units
- Four 13 x 2½in (33 x 6.5cm) strips in Fab F for the corner units
- Four 4½ x 1½in (11.5 x 4cm) strips in B/G for the cat units
- Four 4½ x 3½in (11.5 x 9cm) strips in B/G for the cat units
- Four 2½in (6.5cm) squares in B/G for the cat units
- Two 9in (23cm) squares in B/G – cut once diagonally on each piece for the corner units
- Two 6½ x 24½in (16.5 x 62.25cm) strips in Fab C for the side borders
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Project steps:
Step 1
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Step 2
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