-Take 2 - 2.5" strips, minimum length I would say is 2.5" (yields 2, 4-patches) but for every 1.25" in length you get another 4-patch
- put the strips right sides together and sew down each side with 1/4" seams.
-Cut the tube down the middle, (1.25") don't open seams or iron yet!
- now cut 1.25 units from each strip unit, no don't iron yet!
-Take the 2-patches, open and finger press to the darker fabric.
-flip the patches so's to nest the seams, with opposite prints touching - right sides together.
-sew along the edge that makes the seam flap pointing away from you. You know the drill.
-OK now you can iron.
I think by cuting the strips before you open the seams you get a more accurate cut and because the patches are so small, finger pressing is suficient at that point and saves a lot of time too.
I made 120 4-patches this way in about 3.5 hours. It's easy and it's fun and they are so cute. Of course working from a free scrap bag makes it even more fun and the first cuts have already been made which saves time too! cheers, CW
I like the teeny tiny squares - quilting in inch always makes everything look so huge. 1" is 2,5 cm and I learned that you need to be a bit nuts to sew something smaller than 1 cm and in inch land everyone'S complainign at how tiny and fizzly it is to use 1" squares.
ReplyDeleteAnd the no ironing part looks like it's written for me - I avoid ironing if I can. Sometimes it backfires, but mostly it safes time. Did I mention that I really don't like ironing?
Claire, you can come and help yourself to scraps any time you want!! Can't wait to see the 4-patches. I love your simple method. All this time I've been cutting my pieces one by one!!! OY
ReplyDeleteI recently received some scraps from Randy--I recognize some of those fabrics. That is a slick trick!
ReplyDeleteVery productive, love the 4-patch block!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great technique for 4-patches! I'm off to try it for myself. Thanks for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteI recently made 20 four patch blocks and almost did them your way. I did wait to iron, but I love your tip of stitching on each side and then cut down the middle. I will try that next time.
ReplyDeleteLove all your 'thrifty' quilts. I could pay the higher prices on fabric, but just refuse to pay them.
blessings, jill
new follower, found you on quilting qallery
First time I stumbled onto your blog and so enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea for the four patches. I have a special ruler for half square triangles that has you do the same - sew down each side. I'm sewing Bonnie's "Midnight Flight" as my leader/ender project and I think it's time to make more four patches...so I'll be trying your four patch method soon. ( I love the dipped in chocolate pattern. Tiny is so fabulous)
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