How to Sew a Four Patch Quilt Block (Free Pattern)!

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ByCaroline Fairbanks Updated on

Learn to sew the easy 4 patch quilt block! The four-patch unit is a basic building block in patchwork quilts. Many more complicated quilt blocks build on the simple design of the four patch. I’m also including a free Four Patch Quilt Block Pattern download below.

Let me teach you my fast and easy strip piecing method for sewing multiple four patch blocks at once. Instead of cutting squares at first, I cut fabric strips. The strips are sewn together and then cut again to make 2-patch units that will be sewn into 4-patch units.

After you learn this technique, you’ll be able to use it in lots of different blocks, including others in our Kitchen Sink Quiltalong. I demonstrated strip piecing with more strips than just 2 in a video too.

This easy quilt block makes a beautiful quilt by itself too. Learn how to sew 16 Four Patch Blocks like these to make a simple 48” square baby quilt! You could add sashing to make this into a bigger throw quilt too.

Download this Quilt Block Tutorial as a free printable PDF Pattern.

Enter your email address below to download the free four-patch quilt block pattern (which is page 2 of the Kitchen Sink Quiltalong Quilt Pattern).

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Instructions for 12” (finished) Four Patch Quilt Blocks

These instructions make 4 four-patch blocks. Finished dimensions: 12’’ x 12’’ (12 1/2’’ x 12 1/2’’ before you sew them in the quilt).

You will need:

  • 3 different colors or prints of fabric to cut the strips listed below
  • a rotary cutter acrylic ruler, and mat
  • sewing machine
  • thread (I suggest thread matching the light gray fabric)
  • ironing board and iron

Cutting:

  • Light Gray (or other light fabric): cut 2 strips 6 1/2’’ x 28’’
  • Coral (or other medium value fabric): cut 1 strip 6 1/2’’ x 28’’
  • Deep Coral (or other dark fabric): cut 1 strip 6 1/2’’ x 28’’

Variation: If you are not making our quiltalong quilt, cut your strips the entire width of the fabric (40-42”) instead. By using longer strips, you can make 6 four patch blocks instead of only 4 (like I do for the Four Patch Baby Quilt Pattern).

Assembly:

Use a 1/4’’ seam allowance and a short stitch length such as 1.5-2.

1. Combo #1:
Place a light gray strip and a coral fabric strip right sides together. Sew along one long edge. Open and press the seam toward the coral fabric.

Tip: pressing your seams toward the darker fabric enables you to nest the seams in step 4.

Combo #1
Combo #2

2. Combo #2:
Place a light gray strip and a dark coral fabric strip right sides together. Sew along one long edge. Open and press the seam toward the dark coral fabric. 

3. Trim the ends of the strip sets to make them even.

Sub-cut each strip set into 4 pieces that are 6 1/2’’ wide.

There will be a bit of fabric leftover from each strip set.

4. Sew one piece from each strip set together as seen to make a four patch block.

Repeat to make 4 blocks.

This is Block #1 in our Kitchen Sink Quiltalong

Get ready to sew all your favorite quilt blocks this year! This is the year that we are going to sew everything but the kitchen sink in our Kitchen Sink 2022 Quiltalong.

This bold graphic quilt is perfect for learning new quilt making skills that build on one another, or for putting skills you already have into a big beautiful quilt.

Here are the 10 free quilt block patterns in the Kitchen Sink Quiltalong:

Don’t miss all my other free quilt patterns, too!

xoxo,

Disclosure: some of my posts contain affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of those links I may receive a small commission, so thank you for supporting SewCanShe when you shop! All of the opinions are my own and I only suggest products that I actually use. 🙂

Caroline Fairbanks is an author and publisher who is passionate about the world of sewing and quilting. You can find her work in books, sewing patterns, magazines, and articles all over the web. She founded and publishes her ideas on the popular sewing website SewCanShe.com.