Category Archives: Quilts and Quilting

Antique Four Patch Economy Block Tutorial

Antique Four Patch Economy Block Tutorial

Some time ago, I shared with you a post about making Four Patches.  Here is the link to that post.

Four Patch Favourite

Four Patches are a basic quilt block unit, that anyone can make.  They are fabulous for using up scraps.  I have made a stack of really scrappy Four Patches some time back.  I put them away until I decided how to use them this time.

If you love Four Patches like me you might also be interested in this post.

Scrap Double Four Patch Quilt Block Tutorial

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This is an antique style block.  The beauty is, you can make as many or few as you like.  There is no stress because you will just use up some scraps.   There’s no waste.    I love the way the four patches are set on point. This will create a lot of interest in the quilt as the eyes will want to move around the quilt

Whilst this may appear to be a simple block, there are a lot of secondary design possibilities which will emerge depending on how the blocks are placed.   By grouping blocks with similar background colors you can create four patches or nine patches, stripes, borders,  a maze,  medallion design or just lay them out randomly.   It’s up to you.

I hope you love making this block as much as I do.

All fabrics have been washed before commencement.  All seams based on 1/4″.

Requirements for one block

1 x  four patch block made with 4 of 2 1/2″  x 2 1/2″ units

2  of 4″ x 4″ matching squares cut once on the diagonal to reveal 4 triangles.

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Method

Make sure that your Four Patch is squared up, especially when one is making from scraps.  Lay a triangle piece, right side down on one edge of the four patch.  The point of the triangle should line up with the mid line of the four patch.  Pin in place. Use 3 pins. This will help to keep the seam stable and make it easy to sew, as the triangle is on the bias.   Sew across the seam. Repeat with a triangle on the opposite side.

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Turn back the triangles and finger press.

Today I’m treadling on my Singer 66.  Here’s a link to the story of this machine.

Make Your Singer Sing (Part 1)

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Now repeat adding the two remainder triangles to the other two sides.  Make a few blocks at a time so that you can keep chaining the pieces through.

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Press.  Trim off the doggy ears only after all four sides have been sewn on.

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Sliver trim the block if necessary.  Ensure you have a good quarter inch seam allowance which extends beyond the corners of the four patch block.

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It will measure appropriately 6 1/4″.

Heres how they are starting to look.

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If you enjoyed this post, and you love antique style quilts, then you may also enjoy this post…

Uneven Nine Patch Quilt Pattern Antique Style

Or this super easy scrappy one..

Antique One Patch Block Made Easy

Happy stitching,

Susie