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TreadleOn Block Exchanges - Basic Blocks - Four-Patch

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TOBE Blocks are exchanged between members, co-ordinated by a host, and they vary from year to year. You send in sets of blocks as specified by size and fabric and get back a selection from other makers...
These instructions are for the regular, easy, beginners' blocks and are useful for all sorts of projects

These instructions assume a degree of accuracy - if you find that this is beyond your skills or those of your machine, cut your squares a little larger and trim the resulting block, making sure that the cross-over point comes in the middle...

You need:-
Squares of fabric, preferably cotton.
For one block, you need four 3-1/2 inches squares, usually in two colours
Blocks should finish at 6-1/2 inches trimmed, for 6 inches when sewn into a quilt
TOBE fabrics should be pre-washed before cutting
Square ruler at least as big as your trimmed block size
Cutter and mat
Pencil
Treadle or hand-crank machine(s)
Cotton thread, please
4patch1 Start with your four squares for one block (see note below about making multiples)
4patch2 Sew into 2 pairs with as accurate a 1/4 inch seam as you can manage.
Measure across the joined pair, it should be exactly 6-1/2 inches
If having trouble with this, see further notes below

Press to the darker fabric in each pair.
The usual arrangement is for two squares in an unbleached muslin (calico) and two patterned squares. Press to the patterned/darker squares
4patch6 "Nesting" seams


Note Engineer's Finger Markings
4patch3 Sew the two pairs together, pinning to make sure the seams meet in the middle.

Use your 1/4 inch seam.

Press to one side...
4patch4 If you have a really big contrast of colour, you can open this second seam and press it to avoid "shadows" from the front

Measure again, this should now be 6-1/2 inches square

Make lots more...
4patch5 You can make lots at once - cut strips (to 3-1/2 inches here) by as long as you like

Pin and sew and press to the darker side

Trim the end square, then cut 3-1/2 inch slices from your strips, turn alternate pieces around, and finish as above...

Blocks consistently too big? Trim, check your seam allowances
Always too small? Cut bigger squares to start with, sew as above then trim making sure the crossing-point is in the middle...