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Multiple Four-Patches Made from Strips of Fabric


When you need a single Four-Patch unit, it is easiest to just cut for squares of fabric and sew them together, but when you need several identical Four-Patch units, save time by making them from strips of fabric.

Math:

  • Divide the desired Finished size of your Four-Patch by 2, then add ½".
    • Example: You need 6 identical 6" finished Four Patch units
      • 6 ÷ 2 = 3
      • 3 + ½ = 3½
      • This measurement will be the width of your fabric strips.
  • Count the number of Four-Patch units you will be needing, multiply that number by 2, then multiply that by the measurement above.
    • Example: You need 6 identical 6" finished Four Patch units
      • 6 × 2 = 12
      • 12 × 3½ = 42
      • This measurement will be the length of your fabric strips.

Cutting Instructions:

    Cut one strip each of two different fabrics using the measurements you calculated above.

    Keep in mind that most quilting cottons are between 42" and 44" wide, so if the number you calculated for the length is more than 42, you will need more than one strip of each fabric.

Sewing Instructions:

  1. Stack your fabric strips one on top of the other, right sides together.
  2. Sew these strips together along one long edge, using a ¼" seam allowance.
  3. Open this new strip set and press the seam allowance to one side.
  4. Cut the strip set in half.
  5. On the back of one of these half strip sets, draw a set of lines which are spaced apart based on the first measurement you calculated.
    1. Example: for 6" finished four-patches, draw a line every 3½" inches.
    2. I recommend you draw every other line in alternating colors.
  6. Stack these two half strip sets on top of each other, right sides together, with the seams nesting and the colors opposite each other.If your strips are quite long, you probably will want to pin them periodically to keep them lined up.
  7. Starting at one end, sew a seam across the short ends of the strip set, using a ¼" seam allowance.
  8. Sew a seam ¼" on each side of every other drawn line:
    1. Don’t do anything at this time at the first drawn line.
    2. At the second drawn line, sew a seam ¼" on either side of the line.
    3. Continue in this manner along the length of the strip sets, skipping a line, then sewing on both sides of the next line.
  9. Cut the Four-Patches apart on every drawn line.
  10. Open the Four-Patches and press the seam allowances, twisting the seam allowances the way I showed in the Quilting Tips and Tricks Tutorial.


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Contact Info
    • Charmed Needles LLC
    • CustomerCare@CharmedNeedles.com
    • 541-889-6215
    • 222 South Oregon St.
      Ontario, Oregon 97914
  • 11 am-5 pm Tues-Sat
  • Other Days and Times by Appointment
 

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