Treasure Chest Block

The Treasure Chest Block, also known as Night and Noon or Jackknife, is really a simple block made of three component blocks. There have been some questions about the block, hopefully, here are some answers. You can use Marti Michell’s templates to make the block, or draft your own. To draft a block, stay within a size block that is easily divided by three, as the block is a nine-patch layout.

Step 1

Draw a square that is one third the size you want your block to be. Example: for a nine inch block, draw a three inch square. Divide the square through the center on one diagonal, from corner to corner.

Choose how wide you want to make the band, and draw a line that distance from the center line on both sides.

When you have this, you can copy your block, separate the parts and add 1/4” seam allowances on all sides, this makes your templates or gives you the measurements for cutting your strips.

Make (4) of these for each block by sewing a diagonal strip to each small triangle, then sew the two halves to each other.

Step 2

Make a simple hour glass block. To draft this, draw a square the same size as your first one. Then draw a diagonal line across both ways through the center of the square. Separate the pieces and draw 1/4” seam allowances all around. You only need to make one template, as the pieces are all the same.

Make (4) of these units per block.

Step 3

The last step is a square the same size as the others. I guess you could do a pieced block here, but one piece is also good. You could use a fussy cut square, a photo transfer or do embroidery in this part of the block.

Lay out