Four Patch Variation

Hey Everyone, welcome back to Stash Blasting Wednesday.

I am having a lot of fun with these four patch blocks and figure I should move on but I am really quite fascinated by all the combinations I have been able to make.

Today I made a four patch variation – not really sure if the block has a name or not – I suppose I could give it one.

A very simple block today – a four patch within a four patch.

How is it constructed?

Collect up the fabrics needed – only 2.  I chose purple and white.

Cutting instructions for one 6” block

  • white and purple fabrics:  cut ONE (1) 2” x 10″ strip
  • purple fabric:  cut TWO (2) 3 ½″ squares

Pieces cut and ready to be sewn.

Pieces cut and ready to be sewn.

Putting it together

Place the white and purple 2” strips right sides together and sew a ¼″ seam down one long side.

Place strips right sides together.

Place strips right sides together.

Press open towards the dark fabric. Unit will measure 10” x 3 ½″.

Press open towards dark fabric.

Press open towards dark fabric.

Square off one end of the strip set.

Square off end.

Square off end.

Subcut the strip set into 4 – 2” x 3 ½″ units.

Cut four units from strip set.

Cut four units from strip set.

Pair up the units cut above as shown in photo below. Make sure to pair the dark and light fabrics together.

Pair up units cut from strip set.

Pair up units cut from strip set.

Sew together taking care to match the seams. Press seam in either direction. Units will measure 3 ½″  square.

Small four patch unit.

Small four patch unit.

Layout the squares as shown in photo below. Make 2 rows.

Lay out small 4 patch square and solid square.

Lay out small 4 patch square and solid square.

Sew squares together in each row. Press seam towards the solid square. Units will measure 3 ½″ x 6 ½″.

Sew rows together.

Sew rows together.

Sew rows together to form a square. Take care to match centre seam. Press seam in either direction. The square will measure 6 ½″.

Four Patch Variation Block

Four Patch Variation Block

I wasn’t sure liked the square as I felt that there was too much purple and not enough white to balance it all. I thought to myself, “what if I put a half square triangle in where the solid purple square is?” I set to work to make a couple of half square triangles using the method I outlined a couple of weeks ago.

This is what I came up with.  A totally different look just by changing one element of the block.

Adding an HST creates a totally different look.

Adding an HST creates a totally different look.

So then I thought I wonder what happens when I put these two blocks together. Well, wouldn’t you know there were at least 9 different block designs created from these 2 blocks and all of them would make very interesting quilts.

Here are a few for your viewing pleasure.

Block Design #1

Four Patch Variation

Block Design #2

IMG_4451

Block Design #3

IMG_4447

Block Design #4

IMG_4446

Block Design #5

Four Patch Variation

Block Design #6

Four Patch Variation

As you can see I haven’t sewn the blocks together as I am not sure what design to use.

I would appreciate some help with choosing. Just leave a comment below and let me know which is your favourite design – they are all numbered for easy voting. The one with the most votes wins.

Don’t forget to vote!

Happy Quilting!

Jen Transparent Signature

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