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Basic Four Patch

Basic Four Patch Using the Quilt as You Piece Method

This block is the 24th quilt block tutorial in a series on how to make quilt blocks using the Quilt as You Piece Method. This one cannot be made completely in the Quilt as You Piece Method. The pieces in this block are stitched together with a combination of traditional piecing and quilt as you piece. I have also included the numbers of the Accuquilt Dies I used in this block. I used the Accuquilt Qube 10" Block.

    Materials Needed Makes one Block:
  • Fabric:Follow the diagram for sizes and quantities.
  • Batting
      Do not cut the batting pieces the same as the fabric pieces.
    • Cut 2 pieces of batting 5.5" x 5.5"
    • Cut 1 pcs 5.5"x11"
  • 3/4" Batting Tape, Optional
  • Cotton Sewing thread in neutral color, 50wt preferred.
  • Washable Liquid Glue
  • Washable Glue Stick
    Tools Needed
  • Rotary Cutter & Cutting Mat
  • Pair of Fabric Scissors
  • Temporary Marking Device
  • 18"x3" quilt ruler
  • 10.5"x10.5" Square Ruler
  • Dry Iron & Pressing Board

These are the tools I used. Use what you have.

    Instructions
  1. Rotary Cutting: Follow the diagram for cutting the fabrics. Remember to cut double the fabric pieces, 4 for the front and 4 for the back.
  2. Accuquilt Cutting: If you have an Accuquilt cutting system, you can use the special diagram of the block on this page that has numbers starting with AQ on them. The colored block shows the number 1 for the Accuquilt Qube die number 1.
  3. Use the quilt as you piece method to stitch 2 of the squares together and make them layered.
  4. Use regular piecing techniques to sew the other 2 squares together to make 2 rectangles. Press seams in opposite directions of each other when you face them wrong side to wrong side. This will make that center seam lie flat even with the batting between them later.
  5. Glue and stitch the pieced rectangles to the layered section making sure to line up the center seams.
  6. Zigzag stitch the long edge of the rectangle batting piece to the long edge of one side of the layered section so you end up with a checkerboard layout as pictured. Glue using the washable glue stick and quilt section as desired.
  7. Trim to 10-1/2" x 10-1/2". Do stay stitching, an 1/8" in from the edges, all the way around.

NOTE: I used an iron on batting tape to tape the batting to the edge of the squares before doing the zig zag stitch to make it easier to do the zig zag stitch. It prevented the batting from shifting while I stitched it in place. This tape can also be used when you want to stitch together 2 pieces of batting for other projects where you are using batting scraps. See web site for links to the product I used. It is shown in the video as well.

Diagram for Rotary Cutting and Accuquilt

Note: This block pattern was written with the use of the Accuquilt cutting system in mind so if you have one, and have the 10" Qube, you have all of the dies you will need for this block. Of course, if you know how the system works, you can use any size Qube to adjust your finished size of your block.

This pattern sheet just provides what materials you need and what size pieces you need to make a 10" block and in what order to sew the pieces of the block together. It does not go into complete detail how I put them together in the Quilt as You Piece manner, please refer to our tutorial of the Five Strip Rail Fence Block for the basic concept and instructions on how to do Quilt as You Piece for this block and all other blocks in this series.

Note about Accuquilt and Just Plain Fun: As of writing this block pattern, I am not an affiliate with Accuquilt but I do have a referral link in the daily newsletter. I have applied to be an affiliate because their cutting system is amazing and I want everyone who quilts to experience the ease in cutting fabric for their quilts. If and when I do become an affiliate, if you click on a link and make a purchase at their website, I will get a small commission for your purchase which does not cost you anything more than what your purchase costs. I promise also to always make sure I include rotary cutting instructions and templates needed in my patterns since I know not everyone will have an Accuquilt system.

Block Name & Design Disclaimer: This is one of the most basic blocks out there and in the Public Domain. I of course did not design this block. I haven't a clue who came up with it first and I am not sure anyone does. I know this block is a very basic block and cannot be done completely in the Quilt as You Piece method but the reason for including this block in this series is to show you how I would approach making this block so it is the same on the back as on the front. I know it could have been done in the traditional Quilt as You Go method, but this method makes it easier to make sure the seam lines line up with each other.

Design written on February 10, 2022 by Julie A Bolduc © 2022 by Julie A Bolduc of Just Plain Fun p401019

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