Square in a Square quilt patch
Unlike turning coal into diamonds, turning a fabric square into a diamond is really simple.
And it’s like so many things, once you start looking at quilt blocks, it’s amazing how many blocks use this patch design.
The concept is simple – just place a square on point and then begin sewing half-square triangles around the outside.
Once you have one layer of triangles (one on each side of the square), your diamond shape within the square is clear and and you can continue to add triangles around the outside.
It’s somewhat like making Log Cabin blocks.
Not long ago, we talked about making a bed quilt with this design, beginning with a large center square.
This Square in a Square quilt design is a favorite of the Amish.
Using dramatic colors, you can create a stunning quilt and have a wonderful background for some beautiful quilting – either hand quilting or machine quilting.
This versatile design is also great in smaller sizes, and is used in several different blocks as corner or center patches.
One variation of the Cats and Mice comes to mind. In this variation, the center square is surrounded with triangles.
In a recent demonstration of how to sew that quilt block, I used a square with a photo printed on it, adding a unique touch to the block.
Other blocks with center square in a square designs include: the Butterfly block, the Rolling Star block and Storm at Sea.
The Storm at Sea block has square in a square patches in all four corners as well as the center.
For step-by-step instructions for sewing these patches together, visit:
http://www.how-to-quilt.com/articles/2201-square-in-square.php
These are easy to sew, especially since you are sewing a straight edge patch (the square) and a bias edge patch (the triangles). The square in the center helps keep the bias edges from stretching and causing a misshapen patch.
Happy Quilting!
Penny
