Four Queens Quilt Block Pattern

Four Queens quilt block pattern — a step-by-step four patch quilting tutorial from Motley Muse

Four Queens quilt block pattern overview

Four Queens quilt block fabric layout

Four Queens quilt block cutting and pressing step

Four Queens quilt block assembled

New to quilting? Check out our beginner quilting class covering all the basics.

How to Sew the Four Queens Quilt Block

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

Method 1: Individual Squares

Four patch quilt block — cutting individual A and B 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.
  3. Press the seam toward the dark fabric.

This is your result:

Two A/B pairs sewn together for a four patch quilt block

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

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

Completed four patch unit with butted seams

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:

Examples of quilt blocks with 4x4 grids that use the four patch technique

Covered Corners Technique

The covered corners technique adds triangle details to your blocks without complex piecing. Follow the steps below:

Covered corners quilting technique — step 1

Covered corners quilting technique — step 2

Covered corners quilting technique — step 3

Covered corners quilting technique — step 4

Covered corners quilting technique — step 5

Covered corners quilting technique — completed block

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.

Finished quilt featuring the Four Queens block pattern

 

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