About Basic Four Patch Quilts for Beginners

The classic four patch quilt is a staple in quilt design.  Made of four squares, each square a different picture or pattern is perfect for pillows, throws, purses or baby blankets.  Needing only basic sewing skills, this fundamental pattern is fun project for any novice quilter.

Introduction

A four square quilt is perfect for a beginning sewing project.  It is based on the contrast of two types of fabric, light and dark, patterned and either solid or opposing pattern to create geometric designs.  With a four square quilt design, you can see a cross, hourglass and a checkerboard patterns. Each four square pattern can be only four squares or four squares making one larger square quilt block being combined with other four square quilt blocks creating a larger pattern.

Planning Your First Four Square Quilt

Conceptual design begins with a grid sketch of the desired pattern. Project ideas range from four pictures transferred to cotton on opposing colored fabric, to cartoon prints in opposite backgrounds. These need not be isolated only for large projects, this style of quilting works well for the purse or throw.

Tips and Tricks

When making your first four square quilt project, allow 1/4 inch extra for the seam.  Think in opposites.  Making four larger squares out of a four smaller square quilt pieces.  Create a larger design by building an opposite square pattern in layers to present intriguing possibilities in quilt design while maintaining simplicity.  Some of the most interesting quilt designs play with the geometry of simple squares combined in opposing shades and patterns.

Conclusion

Whether you are making your first quilt purse, or are an experienced quilter, four square quilts are the basis of all other quilt patterns.  This elementary design continues to be a staple for quilters.  Due to its simplicity, there is no need for a kit.  Most homes have plenty scrap fabric to experiment with four square quilt design.