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.

, ,

Square in a Square Blocks

Fullsizeoutput_1c28

I always think Square in a Square blocks are one of the most difficult block units to make. There are so many ways to go wrong when attaching the triangles around the sides of the square. And when things go wrong, you have a wonky unit with inadequate seam allowance at your points.

I have had the best luck making these square in a square units using a tool designed by Deb Tucker called the Square Squared® ruler. It has marks on it showing the exact size to make your center square for a variety of sized finished units. The tool has the size for cutting your triangles printed on it as well. You end up with a slightly oversized unit, as you see on the right in the photo above. You then use the ruler to precision cut your final unit with the square perfectly positioned and the exact 1/4" seam allowance at all four of your points. My trimmed unit is on the left.

Fullsizeoutput_1c24

Deb has a great YouTube tutorial that explains way better than I can, just how to use the tool for perfect Square in a Square blocks.

Fullsizeoutput_1c26

This tool has been in my collection for at least 10 years, but I sometimes forget I have it and always regret it when I do. My Square in a Square blocks never come out as well.

The reason I was using it the other day was that I didn't care for the most recent Sewcialites Sew Along block offering. (Do you see a pattern here?) I made a substitute block that I preferred and my little block units came out so nicely with the Square Squared tool.

Fullsizeoutput_1c25

My source for this substitute block pattern was a little "book" of blocks called "The Quick and Easy Block Tool".  It is a funny little thing that reminds me of a book of fabric swatches or wallpaper samples. It is full of great quilt blocks in numerous sizes. I like the small size of it, and find it easy to follow. However, I don't think the book comes in this format anymore.  I found something similar that is an actual book on Amazon.

K2LZZS9URY62fb4Kiqvr0g

Hope you all had a great weekend and managed to squeeze some sewing in amidst all the holiday hoopla and preparations.

18 responses to “Square in a Square Blocks”

  4. I don’t have a lot of specialty rulers but that one looks like one I could use. I do have the block fan. It has been handy in more than a few instances.

  5. I don’t have a lot of specialty rulers but that one looks like one I could use. I do have the block fan. It has been handy in more than a few instances.

  6. I don’t have a lot of specialty rulers but that one looks like one I could use. I do have the block fan. It has been handy in more than a few instances.

  7. That ruler looks like something I need to add to my ruler ‘collection’! Your block turned out perfectly! Enjoy your week! Stay well!

  8. That ruler looks like something I need to add to my ruler ‘collection’! Your block turned out perfectly! Enjoy your week! Stay well!

  9. That ruler looks like something I need to add to my ruler ‘collection’! Your block turned out perfectly! Enjoy your week! Stay well!

  10. Oh, I liked the Arrow block! But I’m not making any of the blocks. Deb Tucker has a great mechanical mind–which I do not! I have her V-trimmer tool and it works great. Your block looks lovely.

  11. Oh, I liked the Arrow block! But I’m not making any of the blocks. Deb Tucker has a great mechanical mind–which I do not! I have her V-trimmer tool and it works great. Your block looks lovely.

  12. Oh, I liked the Arrow block! But I’m not making any of the blocks. Deb Tucker has a great mechanical mind–which I do not! I have her V-trimmer tool and it works great. Your block looks lovely.

  13. Thanks for the tip about the Deb Tucker ruler for the square in a square block. Gosh. I avoid that block whenever possible, because it never turns out right. Perhaps I’ll get the ruler and give it another try.

  14. Thanks for the tip about the Deb Tucker ruler for the square in a square block. Gosh. I avoid that block whenever possible, because it never turns out right. Perhaps I’ll get the ruler and give it another try.

  15. Thanks for the tip about the Deb Tucker ruler for the square in a square block. Gosh. I avoid that block whenever possible, because it never turns out right. Perhaps I’ll get the ruler and give it another try.