How big are the squares used?

The squares can be many varying sizes. Common sizes for 4 patch blocks are 2.5 inches, 5 inches, or 10 inches. But you can make them any size you want by cutting the fabric squares accordingly. Kinda like building with Lego squares!n

What fabrics can you use?

You can use virtually any type of fabric for 4 patch blocks. Cottons, flannels, lace – go wild! The options are endless. I saw an amazing one online made from leftover necktie scraps. Stunning how something so simple can become a work of art.

How do you sew the squares together?

To sew the squares together, place two squares right sides facing and sew them with a 1/4 inch seam. Then sew another pair. Iron the seams and place the paired squares right sides together to form the block, also sewing with a 1/4 inch seam. Perhaps use a walking foot if the fabric is extra thick.n

What designs can you make?

The basic 4 patch can be arranged in different designs when putting multiple blocks together. Straight lines, diagonal lines or curves. You can even do them randomly. My granny used to do dazzling zig zag patterns. Makes me wonder how she managed without Pinterest for inspo!n

How long does it take to make a 4 patch block?

For a single 4 patch block, it really doesn’t take very long at all – maybe 15 minutes tops if you’re a speed demon sewer. However, the fun is in seeing how your blocks come together as you make lots of ’em. I spent an entire weekend last month marathon sewing and ended up with about 50 blocks! Exhausting but worth it.n

What size quilt can you make with 4 patch blocks?

There’s no set standard but generally a 4 patch quilt would need around 100 blocks to become crib size, 144 blocks for a twin and around 256 blocks for a queen. But hey, those are just suggestions. Do whatever flows with your creative mood!n

4 Easy Patch Quilt Block Patterns to Try for Beginners - Quilting-Tidbits.com (UPDATE 👍)

Everything You Need to Know About 4 Patch Quilt Blocks

If you’ve been searching online for info on 4 patch quilt blocks, you’ve come to the right place. As an avid quilter with over a decade of experience, I’ve made dozens of quilts using various block patterns – and the 4 patch is one of my favorites. In this article, I’ll cover all the basics on 4 patch blocks as well as some tips and tricks I’ve picked up along the way. By the end, you’ll have a solid understanding of how to plan, cut, piece and assemble these simple yet versatile blocks.

What is a 4 Patch Quilt Block?

Put simply, a 4 patch block is made up of four squares sewn together. Kind of like the name implies, right? Basically, you take two different fabrics and cut them into squares. Then you sew the squares together in a 2×2 grid pattern. Boom, you’ve got yourself a 4 patch! Sounds easy enough, but as with any quilt block, the devil’s in the details. Let me break it down step-by-step.

Planning Your 4 Patch Block

The first step is selecting your fabrics. You’ll need two different print fabrics to make each 4 patch block – one for the top two squares and one for the bottom two. Pro tip: pick fabrics that contrast well in color and scale. Avoid fabrics that are too similar or they may blend together once pieced. From my experience, bold prints paired with tone-on-tons work well.

Next up is cutting your fabric. For standard 4 patch blocks, aim to cut your squares around 2.5-3 inches. This allows for seam allowances so your finished blocks will be closer to 2 inches. You’ll need two squares of fabric A and two squares of fabric B for each block. Cut with care – squaring up your cuts is key for accurate piecing later on.

Piecing the 4 Patch Block

Now for the fun part – sewing those squares together! Place one square of fabric A right sides facing up on your work surface. Then place a square of fabric B on top, right sides facing down, aligning the edges. Kind of like a sandwich! Sew around the perimeter with a 1/4 inch seam allowance. Go slowly, backstitching at the beginning and end for a secure seam.

4 Easy Patch Quilt Block Patterns to Try for Beginners image 3

Once stitched, flip the top fabric B square open and press the seam toward the darker fabric with an iron. This will help everything lies flat. Repeat to add the remaining A and B squares, pressing the seams in opposite directions so they nest together nicely. Congrats, you’ve just made your first 4 patch block!

Tips for Perfect 4 Patch Blocks

Now that you know the basics, here are some tricks I’ve learned over the years to ensure picture-perfect 4 patch blocks every time:

Use a 1/4 inch foot on your sewing machine for precise seams.
Always press seams as you go to avoid bulk later on. I like pressing to the darker fabric.
Trim your blocks to a consistent size (2 1/2 inches) before assembling the quilt top.
Stitch with the Fabrics right sides together for a perfectly flat finish.
Pile unfinished blocks together for easy piecing in front of the TV 📺

Paying attention to those fine details will make your life much easier once it comes time to assemble the full quilt top. Trust me, I’ve totally been there trying to piece together wonky blocks before.

Putting It All Together

Alright, so now you’ve got a stash of perfectly pieced 4 patch blocks. Time to join them into a quilt top! There are a ton of layout options – grids, diagonals, random. Play around and see what you like best. I kinda dig the ranDOM look myself sometimes, helps disguise any imperfect blocks.

Once you’ve arranged the blocks, join them into rows by stitching block to block. Press seams open or to the side, your preference. Then stitch the rows together to complete the quilt top. At this point you’d add batting and backing before quilting and binding to finish. But that’s a topic for another day!

4 Easy Patch Quilt Block Patterns to Try for Beginners image 2

Final Thoughts

In summary, 4 patch blocks are simple to make but so versatile. You can incorporate all kinds of prints, colors and designs. They also piece together quickly to make nice, cozy quilts. Whether you’re new to quilting or a seasoned pro, give these easy blocks a try. You might be surprised by how much fun and satisfaction you get from creating something with just four little squares. Kind of makes you appreciate the little things in life, you know?

I hope this tutorial has answered any questions you had about planning, piecing and assembling 4 patch quilt blocks. Feel free to reach out if you need any other tips or have run into roadblocks, pun intended! I’m always here to help fellow quilters. Now get out there and start patchin’ – can’t wait to see what you come up with.

Comparison of Common 4 Patch Quilt Block Sizes and Patterns

Block Name	Block Size (inches)	Fabric Pieces	Pattern
Basket	8 x 8	4 squares	Light/dark/light/dark
Star	8 x 8	4 squares	Diagonal seam to form star points
Nine Patch	9 x 9	9 squares	3 x 3 grid of squares
Four Square	8 x 8	4 squares	Light/dark/light/dark squares
Chain	8 x 8	4 strips	Chain piecing technique used

FAQ

What is a 4 patch quilt block?

Basically, a 4 patch quilt block is made from four squares of fabric sewn together in a square shape. You combine two squares side by side and then sew those together with another pair to form a block.
How big are the squares used?

The squares can be many varying sizes. Common sizes for 4 patch blocks are 2.5 inches, 5 inches, or 10 inches. But you can make them any size you want by cutting the fabric squares accordingly. Kinda like building with Lego squares!
What fabrics can you use?

You can use virtually any type of fabric for 4 patch blocks. Cottons, flannels, lace – go wild! The options are endless. I saw an amazing one online made from leftover necktie scraps. Stunning how something so simple can become a work of art.
How do you sew the squares together?

To sew the squares together, place two squares right sides facing and sew them with a 1/4 inch seam. Then sew another pair. Iron the seams and place the paired squares right sides together to form the block, also sewing with a 1/4 inch seam. Perhaps use a walking foot if the fabric is extra thick.
What designs can you make?

The basic 4 patch can be arranged in different designs when putting multiple blocks together. Straight lines, diagonal lines or curves. You can even do them randomly. My granny used to do dazzling zig zag patterns. Makes me wonder how she managed without Pinterest for inspo!
How long does it take to make a 4 patch block?

For a single 4 patch block, it really doesn’t take very long at all – maybe 15 minutes tops if you’re a speed demon sewer. However, the fun is in seeing how your blocks come together as you make lots of ’em. I spent an entire weekend last month marathon sewing and ended up with about 50 blocks! Exhausting but worth it.
What size quilt can you make with 4 patch blocks?

There’s no set standard but generally a 4 patch quilt would need around 100 blocks to become crib size, 144 blocks for a twin and around 256 blocks for a queen. But hey, those are just suggestions. Do whatever flows with your creative mood!
Any tips for making 4 patch blocks?

My number one tip is to press your seams as you go for the crispest blocks. Also, echoing what the sewing pros always say – measure twice and cut once! It’s no fun finding that one square is a teensy bit small after sewing it all together. Lastly, have fun with it! 4 patch blocks are so relaxing and rewarding to sew.