Fool's Square Quilt Block Pattern
Personally, I would call this block a miniature, since it's half the size of the traditional 10" block we normally see for this design. But at 5" square, let's just call it small -- a petite scale that makes Fool's Square suitable for a wallhanging or a baby quilt.Fool's Square is very much like other star-motif blocks, another example of similar quilt blocks tagged with different names when their color value arrangements vary.
Choose three fabrics for each Fool's Square. Make several blocks, but vary the fabrics. You'll be working small, so make sure you are sewing an accurate 1/4" seam allowance, because even small variations can throw off the block's dimensions (you'll likely find that seams are most accurate when you sew a scant allowance).
Block corners are made from half square triangle units. The cutting chart below lists the "textbook" size required to make units for the small block, but consider using slightly larger squares and then cutting your units back to the exact size after assembly, just to be sure they are accurate.
When you trim-back, use a square ruler with a diagonal line from corner to corner (like Martingale's Bias Square). Align the diagonal line with the unit's diagonal seam, trimming two adjacent sides at once to the correct unfinished size (in this case 1-1/2" square) and making sure each represents exactly half of the unit.
Fool's Square Fabrics & Cutting
Pink floral print:
- (1) 1-1/2" x 1-1/2" square
- (3) 1-1/2" x 3-1/2" bars
- (2) 1-7/8" x 1-7/8" squares (or cut larger and trim back after assembly)
Dark pink print:
- (12) 1-1/2" x 1-1/2" squares
Green print:
- (4) 1-1/2" x 1-1/2" squares
- (2) 1-7/8" x 1-7/8" squares (or cut larger and trim back after assembly)
