Sister's Choice Quilts

My interests are quilting, reading, cooking, family, decorating, and matters of style. I post regular quilting tutorials and book reviews of current fiction.

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Four Patch Fun

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 I've been busy making little four patch blocks this past few days.  They go together so quickly and are the perfect project to work on while I watch episodes of Call the Midwife.  (I am really enjoying that series).   These four patches are for a sew along sponsored by American Patchwork and Quilting magazine, in their current issue.  I didn't use any of the three suggested settings in the magazine, but decided to do my own thing.

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This is the setting idea I have in mind for them all.  I do have to pay attention when I am sewing the block units together.  If my mind isn't focused, I can get the orientation of the block units wrong and it throws off the design.  I am enjoying the softer colors of this quilt and am looking forward to seeing it on the bed in my master bedroom, which is painted a soft sagey green.  I think it will be a pretty look for spring and summer.

I call the block and setting Jacob's Ladder. I am sure there are several other names for it.  It is very traditional, a real classic in fact.  The fabrics are mostly all from my stash, but I did use all the pinks, greens and some browns from Julie Hendricksen's recent collection called Threads of Time designed for Windham Fabrics.  I am not using a pattern, precisely.  I browsed the internet and Pinterest for ideas on setting four patch blocks and saw several versions similar to what I am doing.  I knew I wanted my block size to be 9 inches finished, and did my calculations accordingly. 

To re-cap, I cut two inch strips for the four patch units and 3 1/2 inch strips for my half square triangles.  I am using the Easy Angle ruler to cut the half square triangles and there is no waste.  And no drawing of lines.   I am not even bothering to cut wider strips and make the half square triangles bigger, then cutting them down to 3 1/2 inches.  They are all coming out just fine.  Each four patch and each half square triangle measures 3 1/2 inches.  

45 responses to “Four Patch Fun”

  4. I love four patches, and while I do like the ones featured in the current issue of APQ, I really, really like yours so much better! I love your fabrics, too.

  5. I love four patches, and while I do like the ones featured in the current issue of APQ, I really, really like yours so much better! I love your fabrics, too.

  6. I love four patches, and while I do like the ones featured in the current issue of APQ, I really, really like yours so much better! I love your fabrics, too.

  7. I like your pattern too. Your quilt will be beautiful when it’s all together. The Easy Angle rulers are a great help, aren’t they? I am making two baby quilts right now, used the pattern directions, drawing diagonal lines, for one and had a terrible time. Then I remembered the Easy Angle and the second one went together so much better.

  8. I like your pattern too. Your quilt will be beautiful when it’s all together. The Easy Angle rulers are a great help, aren’t they? I am making two baby quilts right now, used the pattern directions, drawing diagonal lines, for one and had a terrible time. Then I remembered the Easy Angle and the second one went together so much better.

  9. I like your pattern too. Your quilt will be beautiful when it’s all together. The Easy Angle rulers are a great help, aren’t they? I am making two baby quilts right now, used the pattern directions, drawing diagonal lines, for one and had a terrible time. Then I remembered the Easy Angle and the second one went together so much better.

  10. Sure is pretty! I call it Jacob’s Ladder, but you are right – there are other names, too, I believe. I made one in scrappy red and cream that turned out pretty. Can’t go wrong with a classic pattern, IMO.

  11. Sure is pretty! I call it Jacob’s Ladder, but you are right – there are other names, too, I believe. I made one in scrappy red and cream that turned out pretty. Can’t go wrong with a classic pattern, IMO.

  12. Sure is pretty! I call it Jacob’s Ladder, but you are right – there are other names, too, I believe. I made one in scrappy red and cream that turned out pretty. Can’t go wrong with a classic pattern, IMO.

  13. Once again, stellar!! Love your fabrics and your planned Jacob’s Ladder block setting.
    I enjoy making 4 patches using Billie Lauder’s Method 2 shown in her Quick Quilt Tricks booklet. This method make two matching 4 patches at a time and that’s delightful.
    Hugs!

  14. Once again, stellar!! Love your fabrics and your planned Jacob’s Ladder block setting.
    I enjoy making 4 patches using Billie Lauder’s Method 2 shown in her Quick Quilt Tricks booklet. This method make two matching 4 patches at a time and that’s delightful.
    Hugs!

  15. Once again, stellar!! Love your fabrics and your planned Jacob’s Ladder block setting.
    I enjoy making 4 patches using Billie Lauder’s Method 2 shown in her Quick Quilt Tricks booklet. This method make two matching 4 patches at a time and that’s delightful.
    Hugs!

  28. I sure did. I think Barbara Brackman is so amazing. I have learned so much about how antique fabrics age and also about the dyeing process for all those wonderful colors that were popular. Turkey red, Cheddar, Poison Green, Prussian Blue–I love the names too! Thanks for those links Carol, I know other readers will really appreciate them.

  29. I sure did. I think Barbara Brackman is so amazing. I have learned so much about how antique fabrics age and also about the dyeing process for all those wonderful colors that were popular. Turkey red, Cheddar, Poison Green, Prussian Blue–I love the names too! Thanks for those links Carol, I know other readers will really appreciate them.

  30. I sure did. I think Barbara Brackman is so amazing. I have learned so much about how antique fabrics age and also about the dyeing process for all those wonderful colors that were popular. Turkey red, Cheddar, Poison Green, Prussian Blue–I love the names too! Thanks for those links Carol, I know other readers will really appreciate them.

  40. I really love the colors in this! I can see how you’d have to pay close attention, but the pattern is beautiful.

  41. I really love the colors in this! I can see how you’d have to pay close attention, but the pattern is beautiful.

  42. I really love the colors in this! I can see how you’d have to pay close attention, but the pattern is beautiful.

  43. Looks really good in the Jacobs Ladder lay out. That’s what I call the block too. I haven’t seen Call the Midwife yet (I think I’m the only Australian who hasn’t!) but I’ve read two of the books and thoroughly enjoy them. I recommend them to you.

  44. Looks really good in the Jacobs Ladder lay out. That’s what I call the block too. I haven’t seen Call the Midwife yet (I think I’m the only Australian who hasn’t!) but I’ve read two of the books and thoroughly enjoy them. I recommend them to you.

  45. Looks really good in the Jacobs Ladder lay out. That’s what I call the block too. I haven’t seen Call the Midwife yet (I think I’m the only Australian who hasn’t!) but I’ve read two of the books and thoroughly enjoy them. I recommend them to you.