Quick & Easy Quilt Block Builder: Frustration-Free Instructions for Piecing; How-To Illustrations & Easy-to-Follow Charts

By Catherine Dreiss

Traditional quilt blocks are made up of common elements such as Flying Geese, Square-in-Squares, and Quarter-Square Triangles. Each of the elements can be constructed in a variety of ways—choose the ones that are easiest and most efficient! In this one book, you will find each method carefully broken down, explained, and illustrated, along with comprehensive sizing information. It’s the ultimate no-math, no-stress reference for all common quilt block elements!

• Language: English
• Publisher: C&T Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Dec 25, 2019
• ISBN: 9781617459375

Book preview

Four-Patches from Squares

Four-patches are simple and useful quilt block elements that are perfect opportunities to test ¼˝ seams, learn how to press blocks, and even nest and twirl seams.

1Cut fabrics into squares, sized according to the chart on, and arrange with an eye toward good color or value contrast.

2Place the rows of squares right sides together and sew a ¼˝ seam up one side.

3Press seam allowance toward the darker fabric. Alternatively, press the top row to the left and the bottom row to the right.

4Place your two rows right sides together and sew ¼˝ from the edge, nesting your seams. Open and press seams to twirl the center—see tip on.

What Are Nested Seams?

The loveliest patchwork has perfectly aligned seams without bumps created by bulky, overlapping seam allowances.

When you sew together two fabrics that have seams, make sure that they are pressed in opposite directions. Place the fabrics right sides together, with the seams nestled against one another. Best practice is to pin on both sides of the nested seams to secure the fabric.

You will have matched seams on the front and less bulk to sew through!

Four-Patches from Strips

When you need to make many identical four-patches, it is much more efficient and accurate to sew them from strips. It is a common quilt block element that also stands up well on its own.

1Cut your fabric in strips, from selvage to selvage, referring to the chart on for widths.

2Place the strips right sides together, and sew up one side with a ¼˝ seam. Press the seam allowance toward the darker fabric.

3Use a ruler to cut the strips, using the same measurement from Step 1. Line up the ruler to the seam, not the edge of the fabric, for better accuracy.

4Arrange your sets to complete the four-patch and sew a ¼˝ seam. Open and press seams to twirl the center—see tip on.

Carrie Nation

This block honors 19th-century prohibitionist Carrie Nation, who was famous for carrying a hatchet to destroy saloons. It is a simple block, but it is spectacular when arranged with alternating colors in a diamond setting.

Nine-Patches from Strips

The classic nine-patch block is a checkerboard pattern of two colors. Unless you’re making a very scrappy version, the quickest and most efficient way to make nine-patches is to start with strips.

1Cut strips using the widths in the chart on, and sew together using a ¼˝ seam allowance. Press seams toward