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How to Make the Traditional Four Squares Quilt Block – a Free Tutorial

    Let’s take a look at this classic quilt block called Four Squares. It is fairly easy with just squares, rectangles and flying geese components and creates a secondary star design when multiple blocks are sewn together. I always like blocks that make secondary designs!

    four squares 1

    Fabric Requirements for a 12″ Finished Four Squares Quilt Block:

    • Light/White: 1 – 4.5″ square, 4 – 2.5″ x 4.5″ rectangles, and 12 – 2.5″ squares
    • Medium/Green: 4 – 2.5″ x 4.5″ rectangles
    • Medium/Blue: 4 – 2.5″ x 4.5″ rectangles, and 12 – 2.5″ squares
    • To make four blocks, you will need approximately 1/2 yard each of the white and blue, and 1/4 yard of the green

    four squares fabric requirements

    Sewing Directions:

    Corner Units:

    Step 1:

    Sew a Light/White 2.5″ square and a Medium/Blue 2.5″ square together and press the seam allowance away from the Light/White square as shown in the picture below.

    four squares 1

    Step 2:

    Using the picture below as a reference, sew a Medium/Blue 2.5″ x 4.5″ rectangle to the Step 1 unit. Press the seam allowance toward the Medium/Blue rectangle.

    four squares 2

    Step 3:

    Repeat Steps 1 and 2 for a total of four Corner units. Easy peasy!

    four squares 3

    Flying Geese Units:

    Step 4:

    Using a Light/White 2.5″ x 4.5″ rectangle and two Medium/Blue 2.5″ squares, make a Flying Geese patch. For a detailed step-by-step tutorial for making a basic Flying Geese block using my no-trim method, check out the blog post at https://quiltembroiderypdf.com/how-to-sew-a-basic-flying-geese-block.  In the picture below you can see the first four steps.

    four squares 4

    Step 5:

    And here is a picture showing the last steps to complete the Flying Geese patch.

    four squares 5

    Step 6:

    Repeat Steps 4 and 5 for a total of four White/Blue Flying Geese patches as shown in the picture below.

    four squares 6

    Step 7:

    Repeat Steps 4 through 6 using the Medium/Green 2.5″ x 4.5″ rectangles and Light/White 2.5″ squares. 

    four squares 7

    Step 8:

    Here you can see all eight of the Flying Geese patches.

    four squares 8

    Step 9:

    Match up a White/Blue Flying Geese patch with a White/Green Flying Geese patch as shown in the picture below. Stitch the patches together and press the seam allowance toward the White/Green Flying Geese patch.

    four squares 9

    Step 10:

    Repeat Step 9 for a total four Flying Geese units like the ones shown below.

    four squares 10

    Putting It All Together:

    Step 11:

    Layout the Corner units, the Flying Geese units, and the Light/White 4.5″ square as shown in the picture below. From here the block goes together like a basic Nine Patch block.

    four squares 11 

    Step 12:

    Sew the units together into three rows as shown below.

    four squares 12

    Step 13:

    Press the seam allowances away from the Flying Geese units as shown in the picture below.

    four squares 13

    Step 14:

    Complete the Four Square block by sewing the three rows together.

    four squares 14

    Step 15:

    Press the seam allowance toward the center of the block. All done!

    four square 15

    Layout Options:

    Here’s the basic 4 x 4 layout with just a light and a dark fabric (the traditional block only used two fabrics).

    quilt 1 

    And here it is with three colors similar to the sample block I made. I think this makes the star more prominent.

    quilt 2

    And here is the same layout but with a narrow 1″ sashing and cornerstones added. 

    quilt 3

    Here’s a typical on-point layout. I love how things change when put on point!

    quilt 4

    For this on-point layout, the setting triangles are the light-colored fabric and a narrow sashing and cornerstones were added.

    quilt 5

    I added in more colors with this example. Kind of creates a three-dimensional look. I think this is my favorite!

    quilt 6