Today let’s sew together the Strips and Squares quilt block that Nancy Page first published. I think the pattern has been around a lot longer though due to the number of names it goes by – Hand Weave, Handcraft, Handwoven, Interwoven, Over and Under, to name a few. I can see why it’s popular – it’s easy and produces a nice interwoven design when blocks are sewn together. Let’s get started!
Fabric Requirements for a 9″ Finished Strips and Squares Quilt Block:
- Light/Ivory: 1 – 3.5″ square, 4 – 1.5″ x 3.5″ rectangles, and 4 – 1.5″ x 2.5″ rectangles
- Medium/Green: 4 – 2.5″ squares, and 4 – 1.5″ x 3.5″ rectangles
- Dark/Burgundy: 4 – 2.5″ x 3.5″ rectangles
Sewing Directions
Corner Units:
Step 1:
Match up a Medium/Green 2.5″ square with a Light/Ivory 1.5″ x 2.5″ rectangle and sew together as shown in the picture below. You can also see that I’ve pressed the seam allowances toward the Light/Ivory fabric.
Step 2:
Now sew a Light/Ivory 1.5″ x 3.5″ rectangle to the Step 1 patch you just made and press the seam allowance toward the Light Ivory fabric as you can see in the picture below. This Corner unit should measure 3.5″ square. Repeat Steps 1 and 2 for a total of four Corner units.
Two Patch Unit:
Step 3:
Match up a Medium/Green 1.5″ x 3.5″ rectangle with a Dark/Burgundy 2.5″ x 3.5″ rectangle and sew together as shown. Press the seam allowance toward the Dark/Burgundy fabric. Repeat for a total of four Two Patch units.
Putting It All Together:
Step 4:
Lay out the Light/Ivory 3.5″ square, the Corner units, and the Two Patch units as shown in the picture below.
Step 5:
From here, the Strips and Squares quilt block goes together like a typical Nine Patch block. Sew the units into three rows as shown below.
Step 6:
And press the seam allowances away from the Two Patch units as shown below.
Step 7:
Now you sew the three rows together to complete the block!
Step 8:
And press the seam allowances toward the center of the block as shown in the picture below.
