How to Sew a Square in a Square Quilt Block

The first time I saw this simple, yet stunning quilt pattern was on the cover of a quilt book featuring Amish quilts.

The quilt featured a large square in the center, set on point, and surrounded by triangles, so it looked like a diamond. As I looked at the quilt, I realized that it would be quite simple to make.

The trick, if any exists, is to make sure that as you sew all of those bias edges, you keep them from stretching and getting out of shape.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• fabric
• rotary cutter or scissors
• sewing machine
• thread

1. 
   Each triangle should measure 3 1/2

   To make this square in a square quilt patch, cut 1 square that is 4" on each side.
   
   Cut the fabric as you would cut any square piece, with the sides on the lengthwise grain and the cross grain of the fabric. This will reduce the stretching as you begin to sew the patch together.
   
   Each triangle should measure 3 1/2" in the short sides and 4 3/4" on the long side.
   
   The triangle should be cut so that the short sides are on the straight grain and the cross grain of the fabric, and the long side is on the bias.

2. 
   Fold the triangles down onto the square, right sides together

   One at a time. fold both of the triangles down onto the square, so that the right sides are facing together.
   
   Line up the edges of the square with the bias edges of the triangles. It may help to pin the triangle in place.

3. 
   Use a 1/4 inch seam allowance to sew the triangles onto the center square

   Using a 1/4" seam allowance, stitch one triangle onto the side of the square. Make sure you line up the triangle with the corners of the square.
   
   This can be somewhat tricky since the tips of your triangle may stick out past the edge of the square.
   
   Many new patterns show how to cut the tips of the triangles off, making this matching easier. Without cutting the tips off, you can estimate that a tip of triangle a tiny bit less than 1/4" will stick out past the square.

4. 
   Open the triangles and press (or finger press) the seam allowances

   Once the sewing is complete, remove the patch (or patches, if you are making more than one and using the chain sewing technique) from your machine.
   
   Open the triangles just sewn and finger press the seam allowances. I generally press my seam allowances facing toward the darker fabric.
   
   In this particular instance, I decided to press the seam allowances facing toward the lighter fabric because I wanted the center to stand out in the patch.

5. 
   Sew the other triangles onto the center square

   Again, using a 1/4" seam allowance, stitch one triangle onto the side of the square. Make sure you line up the triangle with the corners of the square.

6. 
   Open the triangles and see one square inside a square

   Open the triangles you just attached, and see the completed Square in a Square quilt block. This patch measures 6" square, and would be 5 1/2" finished size.
   
   You can use the same process to attach additional triangles on the outside to make this Square in a Square in a Square!
   
   Continuing with the above quilt patch, the long side of the triangle measures 6 3/4" from tip to tip. Each of the square sides of the triangle measures 4 3/4."

7. 
   Add triangles to your block.

   Continue to add triangles to your Square in a Square Quilt Block or Patch.

Tips & Warnings

• you can start with a square that is quite large, adding a few layers of triangles and make a bed size quilt

Resources

• How to Quilt
• Quilting Articles
• Articles for Quilters