Double Four Patch Quilt Block Pattern

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How to Sew a Double Four Patch Quilt Block

The Double Four Patch combines two four-patch units with two plain squares to create a larger, more complex block. The secret to perfect results is pressing seams so they butt together neatly when joined.

Materials Needed

• Fabric for the patches (two contrasting colors or prints)
• Rotary cutter and cutting mat, or scissors
• Sewing machine and thread
• Iron and ironing board

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Cut your fabric into 2½" squares. You will need 16 squares of each color (32 total).
2. Pair up the squares into groups of two, one square of each color per pair. You should have 8 pairs.
3. Sew each pair together with a ¼" seam allowance, keeping colors alternating. Press the seams toward the dark fabric.
4. Arrange your sewn pairs into two rows of four pairs each, with colors alternating in each row.
5. Sew the pairs in each row together with a ¼" seam allowance, matching seams carefully. Press the seams to one side.
6. Arrange the two rows so that colors alternate across the rows.
7. Sew the two rows together with a ¼" seam allowance, matching seams. Press the seam to one side.
8. Trim the completed block to 8½" square.

Repeat these steps to create as many Double Four Patch blocks as needed. Once you have all your blocks, arrange them into your desired quilt pattern and sew them together.

Four Patch Technique

The secret to the perfect four patch is pressing seams so they butt together when joined. You can make the four patch by cutting individual squares (great for scrappy quilts) or using pre-joined strips for speed. Both methods are covered below.

Method 1: Individual Squares

1. Cut two A squares and two B squares in your required size.
2. Using chain piecing, join one A square to one B square, right sides together, with a scant ¼" seam allowance. Press toward the dark fabric.

This is your result:

This is also the result of cutting across pre-joined strips. For the strip method, the width of the unit cut from pre-joined strips equals the width of the original strips.

3. Press all seams toward the dark fabric so they butt up neatly.
4. Place the two A/B units right sides together, butting the seams. Pin if needed, then join with a scant ¼" seam allowance and press.

Wider Application

You can apply this technique to all kinds of four patch blocks. As long as a block has a 4×4 grid — no matter how many pieces — the basic principles apply. Each four patch lays adjacent to the next, and as long as you keep pressing seams in pairs of opposite directions, piecing becomes easy.

All of the following blocks have 4×4 grids and can be pieced as a four patch:

How to Resize Quilt Blocks

The first step in modifying any quilt block is to decide on your finished block size. You can base this on doubling a pattern, cutting it in half, or working with your available fabric.

Note: When working from a pattern's cutting instructions, remove the seam allowance before scaling. For example, if your pattern calls for 3½″ squares, subtract the seam allowance (½″), double the finished size (3″ → 6″), then add the seam allowance back (½″) — giving you a 6½″ cut piece.

Resizing Square Blocks

Add ½″ to your finished block measurement. For a 4″ finished square, cut a 4½″ square of fabric.

Resizing Rectangular Blocks

Add ½″ to both the length and width. To double a 3″ × 4″ block, cut a 6½″ × 8½″ rectangle.

Resizing Half-Square Triangle Blocks

Add 7/8″ to the desired finished block size. For a 4″ finished HST block, cut 4⅞″ squares.

Resizing Quarter Square Triangle Blocks

Add 1¼″ to the desired finished block size. For a 4″ finished block, cut 5¼″ squares.