Double Four Patch Tutorial

Don't look too closely, I threw this block together quickly this morning for those of you who are interested in making a block or 100!! I am not a perfectionist when it comes to sewing, that's why I never participate in swapping blocks. I'll make you a quilt or send you some fabric, but that's it. Anyway, on to the block. LOL



For each block you will need three fabrics.

Two dark fabrics and one light. I chose two blues and a shirting fabric. CW....of course.

From the dark fabric 1, you will need:
(2) 4 1/2 inch squares
(4) 2 1/2 inch squares

From the dark fabric 2, you will need:
(1) 1 1/2 inch strip at least 15 inches long

From the light fabric, you will need:
(1) 1 1/2 inch strip at least 15 inches long


Start by sewing your two 1 1/2 strips, light and dark, together. Press and cut into 1 1/2 inch segments. Use these to make your little four patches. They will be 2 inch finished four patches.








Lay out your block, making sure your light fabrics run diagonally through the block, as shown. I always preview and make sure I like the fabrics I've chosen.









Sew your block together as you would any four patch. Very easy. And so much faster on the machine than by hand!!!



Now, if I were making another 100 blocks, this is how I would do it....

Cut lots of 1 1/2 inch strips. Lights and darks. Sew them together and make lots of little four patches. I like to mix my blocks up so that there are several different fabrics in each block.

Something like this:

There are three different light fabrics in this block. Some will have 4 different lights and the little four patches will have 3 different darks. I love the scrappy look, so, I made mine as scrappy as I was comfortable with.


If you look at this last pic, you will see that some blocks actually have a medium fabric for the light. As long as there is some contrast it will work. I wouldn't do this in a majority of the blocks, because then it would start looking muddy, but here and there it adds something to the overall design.

Example: top row, third from left. This red block has a four patch made from a burgandy and a medium red.

Example: bottom row, first block on the left. This block has a dark red and gold four patch. It looks great adding a few here and there.

I love this block because it really is simple, but makes a real graphic statement. Hope you enjoy making these blocks. Let me know if you do, I'd love to see your work.

Happy Quilting!!!!!!!!!!!