Four Strips Quilt Block Pattern

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

How to Sew a Four Strips Quilt Block

The Four Strips quilt block is a simple and versatile design using four fabric strips of equal length sewn side by side. It's a great beginner project and an excellent way to showcase coordinating fabrics or mix and match for an eclectic look!

Materials Needed

• Four fabric strips of equal length (e.g. 2½" wide × 20" long)
• Sewing machine and thread
• Scissors
• Iron and ironing board

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Choose four fabric strips of equal length. Use coordinating colors, mix and match prints, or go scrappy for an eclectic design.
2. Lay the four strips side by side — strip one on the left, strip four on the right.
3. Place strip two right side down on top of strip one, aligning the raw edges. Sew a ¼" seam along the long edge. Press the seam open.
4. Place strip three right side down on top of strip two, aligning the raw edges. Sew a ¼" seam along the long edge. Press the seam open.
5. Place strip four right side down on top of strip three, aligning the raw edges. Sew a ¼" seam along the long edge. Press the seam open.
6. Your Four Strips quilt block is complete! Repeat to create additional blocks, or combine with other blocks to build a larger quilt.

Tip: You can add borders or sashing to your blocks to create additional interest and variation in your design.

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.