Sarahs Favourite Quilt Block Pattern

Sarah's Favourite quilt block pattern — a step-by-step quilting tutorial combining four-patch units and two-color strips into a charming balanced design

Sarah's Favourite quilt block pattern overview


Sarah's Favourite quilt block — fabric layout and color arrangement

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

How to Sew Sarah's Favourite Quilt Block

Sarah’s Favourite quilt block is a charming design combining four-patch units, two-color strips, and individual squares arranged into a beautiful and balanced block. A wonderful project for quilters of all skill levels!

Materials Needed

  • Fabric in at least two contrasting colors (Color A and Color B)
  • Sewing machine or needle and thread
  • Rotary cutter, mat, and ruler
  • Iron and ironing board

Cutting Guide

  • Color A: eight 2½″ squares, two 4½″ squares
  • Color B: eight 2½″ squares, two 4½″ squares

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Make the four-patch units. Take two 2½″ Color A squares and two 2½″ Color B squares. Sew them together in pairs with a ¼″ seam allowance, then sew the pairs together to form a four-patch block. Press the seams to one side. Repeat to make a second four-patch unit.
  2. Make the strip sections. Sew one 4½″ Color A square to one 4½″ Color B square along one side with a ¼″ seam allowance. Press the seam to one side. Repeat with the remaining 4½″ squares. Cut each strip into two 2½″ sections.
  3. Lay out the block in the following arrangement:
    • Row 1: Four-patch unit — 2½″ A/B strip section — 2½″ Color A square — 2½″ Color B square
    • Row 2: 2½″ A/B strip section — 2½″ Color A square — 2½″ Color B square — Four-patch unit
  4. Sew the pieces together in rows with a ¼″ seam allowance. Press the seams to one side.
  5. Sew the rows together, matching the seams carefully. Press the seams to one side.

Your Sarah’s Favourite quilt block is complete! Repeat to make as many blocks as needed for your quilt.

Four Patch Technique

The secret to the perfect four patch is pressing seams so they butt together when joined.

Four patch quilt block — cutting A and B squares

Cut two A squares and two B squares. 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.

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

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

Completed four patch unit with butted seams

You can apply this technique to all kinds of four patch blocks. As long as a block has a 4×4 grid, the basic principles apply.

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

Quilting classes and quilt block pattern tutorials from Motley Muse

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.

 

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