Squares Squared Quilt Block Pattern

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Sewing a Square Squared Quilt Block involves a series of steps that will result in a beautiful and symmetrical design. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to make a Square Squared Quilt Block:

Materials needed:

• Fabric (in two contrasting colors)
• Rotary cutter and cutting mat
• Ruler
• Sewing machine
• Iron and ironing board

Instructions:

1. Cut a square from each fabric color. The size of the squares should be the finished size of the block plus 1 1/4 inches. For example, if you want to make a 6-inch finished block, cut two 7 1/4 inch squares.

2. Place the two squares right sides together, aligning the edges.

3. Using a ruler, draw a diagonal line from one corner to the opposite corner on the wrong side of one of the squares.

4. Sew a 1/4 inch seam on both sides of the drawn line.

5. Cut along the drawn line to create two half-square triangles.

6. Press the seams open on both half-square triangles.

7. Place one half-square triangle on the cutting mat, right side up. Place the square ruler over it, aligning the diagonal line on the ruler with the diagonal seam on the half-square triangle. Trim the excess fabric on two sides of the block.

8. Rotate the block 180 degrees and trim the remaining two sides, aligning the ruler with the trimmed edges.

9. Repeat steps 7 and 8 with the second half-square triangle.

10. Place the two trimmed half-square triangles right sides together, aligning the seams. Pin in place.

11. Sew a 1/4 inch seam on both sides of the pinned seam.

12. Cut along the center seam to create two identical Square Squared Quilt Blocks.

13. Press the seams open.

You now have a beautiful Square Squared Quilt Block that you can repeat to create a larger quilt. With some practice, you can create a variety of designs by changing the color and placement of the blocks. Happy sewing!

The secret to the perfect four patch is all about ironing seams so that they butt together when the seams are joined. You may make the four patch by cutting individual squares if you want to make a scrappy quilt or only a few blocks to make with pre-joined strips. I'll take you through both methods.

 

Cut two A squares and two B squares in your required size. Chain piecing, join A square to a B square, right sides together, with a scant 1/4 inch seam allowance. Press towards the dark fabric.

This is your result:

 

This is also the result of cutting across pre-joined strips to create two units.

To make a standard four patch, the width of the unit cut from pre-joined strips is the same as the width of the original strips. 

Press all the seams towards the dark fabric so that the seame butt-up.

Take the two A/B and place them right sides together, butting seams. Pin if required. Join with a scant 1/4 inch seam allowance, then press.

 

 

Wider Application:

You can apply this technique to all kinds of four patch blocks. As long as a block has a 4x4 grid, no matter how many pieces, the basic principles apply. It is repeated over and over again each four patch laying adjacent to the next. As long as you keep pressing seams in pairs of opposite directions, piecing will become easy.

All of the following blocks have 4x4 grids and can be pieaced as a four patch.

How to Resize Quilt Blocks:

The first step in modifying any quilt block is to decide on the size of your finished quilt block. You can come to a decision based on a number of factors: doubling a pattern, cutting your pattern in half, or choosing the size based on your available fabric.

NOTE: When working from a pattern’s cutting instructions, make sure you remove the seam allowance before doubling or tripling the size. For instance, if your pattern calls for 3-1/2″ squares, first you’ll subtract the sum of the seam allowances (1/2″), double the finished block size (from 3″ to 6″), and add the seam allowance back in (1/2″). So, when all is said and done, you will cut a 6-1/2″ piece of fabric.

Resizing Square Blocks:

Square blocks are the easiest to resize. Simply add to your finished block measurement. For example, if you’d like your finished block to be a 4″ square, you’ll need to cut a 4-1/2″ square of fabric.

Resizing Rectangular Blocks:

Similarly to the square, for rectangle blocks, you’ll add to the length and width measurements of your finished block. If you’re doubling block that measures 3″ x 4″ in your quilt, you’ll cut a 6-1/2″ x 8-1/2″ rectangle of fabric.

Resizing Half-Square Triangle Blocks:

When you want to change the size of a Half-Square Triangle block, add 7/8″ to the desired finished block size. To make a 4″ finished block, you’d cut 4-7/8″ squares.

Resizing Quarter Square Triangle:

Since there are two cut lines and two seam lines in a Quarter-Square Triangle block you’ll need to add 1-1/4″ to the desired finished block size. For a finished block that’s 4″, you’d cut your squares 5-1/4″.