Needlecrafts Quilting Quilting Patterns

Easy Double 4 Patch Quilt Block Pattern

Double Four Patch Quilt Blocks

The Spruce / Janet Wickell

Getting Started

This Double Four Patch quilt block pattern is easy to make. We used pink and orange fabrics on a lighter background, but you can choose any color combination you'd like.

This quilt block pattern is similar to a four patch block pattern. To make that version of the quilt block, each is sewn with two fabrics: a ​light and a dark. Fabrics in that variation are flip-flopped in pairs, a step that provides two completely different looks and a huge number of layout variations for the finished quilt.

Finished quilt block size: 8" x 8"

At the end of this article, you can find two other Double Four Patch quilt layout possibilities.

Fabrics

Tone on tone fabrics and small prints are good choices for this quilt block.

  • Pink: Choose fabrics in shades of pink to rose, but avoid "dusty" versions of those colors—colors often considered "country," because they don't work as well when combined with orange.
  • Orange: Consider if your orange works well with the pink for any given block. Orange fabrics can be fairly light to dark, and shouldn't overpower their pink partners. Avoid yellows and golds.
  • Neutral: White on white fabrics work nicely, and so do pale prints commonly used as backgrounds—you want this fabric to have a subtle print for interest, but definitely fade to the background of the design.
  • Fabrics in general: Prints always add interest, but take care when choosing pink and orange prints for this quilt block. Consider the scale of patches—does the print "read" as each color when you cut a small piece and step away? In other words, does the intended color dominate?

Fabric Cutting Chart

  • Pink: cut (2) 4-1/2" x 4-1/2" squares
  • Orange: cut (1) 2-1/2" x 11" strip (or, (4) 2-1/2" x 2-1/2" squares, see instructions)
  • Neutral: cut (1) 2-1/2" x 11" strip (or, (4) 2-1/2" x 2-1/2" squares, see instructions)

Sew the Quilt Blocks

Double Four Patch Quilt Block Pattern
The Spruce / Janet Wickell
  1. Sew a 2-1/2" x 11" orange strip lengthwise to a neutral strip of the same size.
  2. Press to set the seam.
  3. Press seam allowance towards the orange strip.
  4. Use your rotary cutting equipment to square up one end of the strip set, and then cut (4) 2-1/2" segments from it.
  5. Arrange two segments as shown, one flipped around so that like colors are diagonal from each other. Sew together, butting seams for a perfect match.
  6. Press seam allowance either way. The resulting four patch unit should measure 4-1/2" x 4-1/2". You can reduce bulk by fanning out seam allowances when you press four patches.
  7. Make one more four patch unit from the remaining two segments.
  8. Sew a four patch unit to the left side of a 4-1/2" x 4-1/2" pink square, taking care to orient the orange squares in the smaller unit as shown, bottom left illustration. Press seam allowance towards the pink square.
  9. Repeat, making an identical row from the remaining patches.
  10. Sew the rows together, flipping one around so that orange squares flow along the entire diagonal of the block. Press seam allowance either direction.
  11. The Double Four Patch quilt block should measure 8-1/2" x 8-1/2". If it doesn't, you need to square it up.

To Sew With Squares

If you are using individual 2-1/2" squares to make small four patch units, sew them together into rows as shown, upper left. Press seam allowances towards the orange fabric.

Alternative Layout

Double Four Patch Quilt Pattern
​The Spruce / Janet Wickell

Here's one design option for 16 Double Four Patch quilt blocks.

Another Layout Option

Double Four Patch Quilt Pattern
​The Spruce / Janet Wickell

Another layout option for 16 Double Four Patch quilt blocks. You'll find many other ways to combine these blocks.